FRANKFORT, Ky. (September 4, 2009) – High school students who graduate from any of the Office of Career and Technical Education’s Kentucky Tech secondary schools may be able to receive college credit under a new agreement between the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).

Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Secretary Helen W. Mountjoy said the agreement can offer a seamless path from secondary to postsecondary education for these students.

“This partnership helps us promote postsecondary educational opportunities for Kentucky students while rewarding them for taking initiative during high school. These agreements benefit our students and the state by encouraging them to explore technical careers and further their education,” said Mountjoy.

While the educational systems have worked together for many years, the recently signed dual credit and articulation agreements will allow a graduate from any of the 54 Kentucky Tech schools, commonly known as area technology centers (ATC), the opportunity to receive college credit for some classes. The articulation agreement will allow any student who has taken an eligible course at an ATC to transfer that course to the KCTCS within three years, while the dual-credit agreement will let students receive college credit while they are still in high school.

“These agreements will allow most of the 21,000 students enrolled in KY Tech programs to have access to what can honestly be called AP technical credit,” said OCTE Executive Director John Marks. “To ensure a seamless transition from secondary to postsecondary institutions, a dual credit agreement template has been developed by OCTE and KCTCS system offices for use between each local KCTCS campus and ATC. The KY Tech system of schools is nationally accredited, industry certified and prepared to help students transition into postsecondary education and the workforce.”

OCTE administers 54 ATCs that offer students hands-on training in the business, construction, manufacturing, transportation and information technology fields, and health and human services.

“This agreement is a prime example of KCTCS’ role in being the place where higher education begins from most Kentuckians,” said KCTCS President Michael B. McCall.  “Providing ATC students with the ability to earn college credits in high school is just one way we are providing real career opportunities to Kentuckians and transforming the state’s economy.”

Since its founding in 1998, KCTCS’ statewide system of 16 colleges and 67 campuses has become the largest provider of postsecondary education and workforce training in the state. The system has a college within a 30 minute drive of 95 percent of the state’s citizens and offers over 600 occupational programs along with the transfer degree. With more than 100,000 students, KCTCS is playing a critical role in transforming the state’s economy by providing real opportunities to real people in real time.

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The agreement affects the following Kentucky Tech area technology centers. (Click on a name for additional contact information about a particular school.

Kentucky Tech Area Technology Centers

The Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet coordinates learning programs from P-16 and manages and supports training and employment functions in the Department for Workforce Investment. For more information, go to www.educationcabinet.ky.gov or www.workforce.ky.gov.