Anderson Oconee Pickens This release prepared by the Tri-County Technical College Public Relations Department. Lisa Garrett, Associate, Ext. 2315, lgarrett@tricty.tricounty.tec.sc.us

PACE Receives $288,940 from Department of Education PENDLETON --- A recent $288,940 grant from the S.C. Department of Education will allow the Partnership for Academic and Career Education (PACE) to continue developing tech prep programs and school-to-work initiatives, in addition to professional develo pment activities for area teachers. PACE, based at Tri-County Technical College, is a consortium which helps to facilitate the development of Tech Prep (PREParation for TECHnologies)/School-to-Work programs in the tri-county area. More than a decade ago this partnership between the seven school districts of Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties, Tri-County Technical College, business and industry partners, the Anderson County Business and Education Partnership, and Clemson Univers ity was formed. Tech Prep/School-to-Work programs are designed to provide academic courses tied to the real world, structured work experience, career exploration and seamless transition between secondary and postsecondary levels of education. Specifically, $140,033 of the grant will go directly to the seven school districts in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties for staff development and for tech prep curricula and guidance materials. Workshops on curriculum integration and applied teachi ng methodologies will be held. Tri-County will use $83,054 of the grant for staff development, curriculum development, course materials and travel to advance the tech prep initiative and for release time for instructors to participate in tech prep and school-to-work activities. Through Teacher Training Institutes, which total $29,916, secondary and postsecondary teachers can attend courses to learn applied technology for teaching academic courses for biology, chemistry, communications, math and physics. These institutes provi de secondary teachers of tech prep students and counselors an opportunity to learn to hands-on curricula. A $35,937 award will fund and promote school-to-work through internships, co-ops and youth apprentice programs. The funds will be used for developing curriculum and career-related materials for middle and high schools and to teach employability skills to students. "These grants enable us to continue to develop the Tech Prep and school-to-work initiatives which help students to prepare for the world of work," said Rebecca Eidson, executive director of PACE. "However, the money is not the key to our success. It's the dedication of teachers, counselors and administrators of the seven school districts who are committed to helping students to be successful."

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