The Tech Prep/Education to Careers (TP/ETC) program and the essential school program are based on similar foundations. The TP/ETC program will enhance our essential school program. The essential school philosophy of the student as worker is also shared by Tech Prep. Students in a Tech Prep program who are expected to learn to work cooperatively on integrated projects much the same as our students have been doing because of the essential school program. The portfolios that our students currently keep are also an integral part of a Tech Prep program. Our Elmwood High School Graduate document was designed to make sure that our students are prepared to pursue the career of their choice. Goal #6 states that the EHS graduate will demonstrate excellence or proficiency in life and career planning. The TP/ETC program focuses on this goal as well. The addition of Tech Prep Tuesdays to our curriculum will provide the student with career information that will help him or her with career planning. Other Tech Prep activities such as career field trips and speakers, interest inventories, and learning style assessments will also give the student vital information to help with this decision. These activities along with job shadowing will assist the students with the career papers that they currently do as an assessment of the EHS Graduate. Besides focusing on Goal #6, the TP/ETC program also focuses on giving the student the education that he or she will need in a technological world. The program emphasizes that instruction in effective communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and technology are necessary in a global world. These are all goals of the essential school program and are included in the EHS Graduate document. It is really difficult to separate the essential school program and the TP/ETC program since both programs share many of the same goals; therefore, it will be imperative that both programs work together very closely toward the common goal of preparing the EHS graduate for the future.