The purpose of this chapter is to develop more fully the academic, vocational, and technical skills of secondary students and postsecondary students who elect to enroll in vocational and technical education programs, by—
(1)
building on the efforts of States and localities to develop challenging academic standards;
(2)
promoting the development of services and activities that integrate academic, vocational, and technical instruction, and that link secondary and postsecondary education for participating vocational and technical education students;
(3)
increasing State and local flexibility in providing services and activities designed to develop, implement, and improve vocational and technical education, including tech-prep education; and
(4)
disseminating national research, and providing professional development and technical assistance, that will improve vocational and technical education programs, services, and activities.