Designed to serve as a "how to" guide for policymakers, and state, federal, and institutional leaders, as well as public school and higher education practitioners interested in developing a Tech Prep/Associate Degree (TPAD) consortium, this book provides a detailed synthesis of successful TPAD consortia and programs. The first five chapters offer a rationale, methodology, structure, process, and advice for forming and operating a TPAD consortium. These chapters include: (1) "Every Student a Winner: The Case for TPAD" (D. Parnell); (2) "Getting Off the Ground: The Basics of Developing a TPAD Consortium" (D. Hull); (3) "A Solid Foundation: The Role of Applied Academics" (L. Pedrotti; D. Parks); (4) "It's a Team Effort! Developing and Implementing a TPAD Program" (M. Dutton); and (5) "Smoothing the Rough Spots: Identifying Issues and Overcoming Obstacles" (C. Belcher). Next, chapters 6 and 7 present "Success Stories: Examples of Working TPAD Programs" (D. James; D. Ingram; H. Padden; D.M. Walter; and S. Vigil); and "Retraining for Technology: TRAP for Adults" (W. Edling, A. Sosbe; S. Evertt; and S. Malbrough). Chapters 8 and 9, "Getting 'Em and Keeping 'Em" (J. Marmaras; L. McClure; G. Harpole; and A. Miller); and "The Employer's Role: Connecting Students to the Marketplace" (C. Marsalis; M. Rice), address the issues of recruiting, retaining, and employing TPAD students. Finally, chapter 10, "How Do You Feel about TPAD? (A Forum of Satisfactions and Concerns" (B. Segura; J.F. Yeager; E. Marcom; T. Parker; C. Rouse; C. Phillips; H. Palmer; S. Shields; and E. Henderson), examines the feelings and appraisals of those playing key roles in existing consortia. Appendixes provide curriculum models for TPAD; facts about applied academics; using applied academics to improve general and vocational education in the high school; and references and resources. (MPH)