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The explosive photonics industry in the United States and elsewhere signals a critical need for comprehensive programs in education for the preparation of photonics technicians, engineers, and scientists. This paper outlines curricular plans in photonics education which begin at the ninth grade in high school and end generally at the fourteenth grade with an associate of applied science degree. Beginning with comprehensive lists of appropriate tasks for photonics technicians -- as identified by photonics-related industries - - extrapolation is made to specific courses, sequences of courses, and on to comprehensive high school/ post-secondary curricula, with appropriate emphasis on the necessary basics in mathematics, science communications, and introductory technology courses. The identification of a photonics core for technician education is a major part of this paper. In addition, a strategy for the development of the photonics core courses in modular form -- with the desired pedagogical organization of a typical module -- is discussed.
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