The Technological Baccalaureate (TechBac) is a new award that aims to achieve parity of status between academic and vocational qualifications in England. It is designed primarily to be awarded to people aged 18-19. The number of British students who stay in full-time education at 16 is lamentably below figures for other advanced countries. In England, 60% of children leave full-time education at 16; in Japan 4%; and in Germany and the USA about 10%. Since it is based on achievements rather than courses, evidence from different experiences, including work, can be used to satisfy its requirements. This makes the TechBac suitable for mature students. Credit can be transferred from training courses, work experience, or awards of other bodies. Units of credit obtained via assessment for TechBac can be transferred to any occupational or academic award to which they are relevant. Certification is available at three levels. It has a four-part curriculum specification, including a common core of technological and communication units. Students must complete various sections to obtain different levels of certification. Students may choose whatever emphasis--academic, technical, vocational, or artistic--is appropriate to their talents and intended occupational areas. Learning is related to the technological design process and the individual's target level of qualification; the acquisition of knowledge is always related to learning "how to." The TechBac framework draws upon existing and proposed national qualifications and provides an entry point into further education, higher education, training, or employment. (Appendixes include a list of occupational areas within the TechBac and questions and answers.) (YLB)