In the Southern Maryland Educational Consortium's 4 + 2 tech prep program, ninth-grade students develop career plans and follow career pathways in one of three technologies--health and human services, electronics and engineering, or business. The program was evaluated by an independent social science research firm to identify the different strategies being used by the consortium partners and the institutional and student outcomes resulting from implementation. The evaluation entailed case studies of each of the three participating school districts (Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties) and Charles County Community College. The following data collection methods were used: in-depth interviews of selected staff, administrators, and counselors from the community college, high schools, career and technology centers, and feeder middle schools; surveys of all teachers and counselors in the sample secondary schools; observations of selected tech prep classes; reviews of key school system and community college documents; and analysis of all available student outcome data. The following implementation strategies were evaluated: counseling and advisement; pathways and career clusters; integration of technical and academic content into an applied curriculum; curriculum articulation; and facilitators, barriers, support, and other programs. Institutional outcomes assessed included the following: staff development, curriculum, counseling/advisement, teaching strategies and methods, collaborative instructional activities, and staff attitudes. Student outcomes were reported in terms of secondary and community college student data trends. The following recommendations for future data collection were made: continue to focus on systemic trends, target tech prep students, track tech prep students, and track longer-term outcomes. (Twenty-one numbered exhibits and numerous unnumbered tables are included. Appended are the following: interview protocols, teacher and counselor surveys, response rates, observation form, and 19 survey data tables.) (MN)