Promising Practice – Secondary Technical Education Program
The Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP), a joint effort of the Anoka-Hennepin School District #11 in collaboration with Anoka Technical College, Anoka Ramsey Community College, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), and Anoka County, is a high school CTE program in a college setting, where students can explore hands-on careers, take academic courses, fulfill district academic requirements and earn high school and college credit. The goal of the program is to provide a transition between high school and college by offering relevant education that prepares students for the high-tech, high-skill workplace of the 21st century.
Since 2002, the STEP program has provided advanced educational opportunities in CTE to students from several area high schools. The program offers courses of study in a variety of career fields and clusters as an extension of the home high school. Courses of study focus on communication and mathematics literacy skills and CTE skills required in the high-tech, high-skill workplace. STEP assists students in the transition between high school and college, providing 100% articulation in all career areas and connecting with local businesses, industries, labor, and community organizations through advisory committees.
In STEP, students have the option of being full-day or half-day students. The fully equipped, 60,000 square foot STEP building is located on the Anoka Technical College campus and houses both high school academic courses and high-tech CTE programs. Courses are offered in art and communication, business management and administration, engineering and manufacturing, health science, human services, and academics. Math with CTE courses are also offered.