Medical Laboratory Technology: A New York State Tech-Prep Model That Improves Academic Skills

This study demonstrates the positive effects on achievement in academic subjects (English language arts, mathematics, science) and overall grade point average (GPA) of the New York City Board of Education-City University of New York Tech-Prep model. This model uses medical laboratory technology as its career area. In addition, this study shows that the model is gender neutral. Furthermore, this study makes evident that high school students who graduate from this Tech-Prep program enter college better prepared than non-Tech-Prep students (as indicated by their freshman placement examination results), have fewer required remedial courses, have higher college GPAs, and have higher retention/completion rates. These data indicate that Tech-Prep, which links occupational education with academics for career and postsecondary education preparation, is a model for educational reform.