PK-12 Schools in the CareerTech Education System

Most of Oklahoma's career and technology education students at the secondary level are enrolled in CareerTech programs in their local schools. In FY 23, a total of 1,474 CareerTech teachers in 397 PK-12 public school districts served a total enrollment of 139,505.

These students are in grades six through 12 and are enrolled in one-period CareerTech programs in agricultural education; business, marketing and information technology education; family and consumer sciences; health careers education; science, technology, engineering and mathematics education; and trade and industrial education.

Such programs add value to students' high school careers. Not only do they meet the same academic standards required of all other students, but also they learn skills to manage the challenge of living and working in a diverse society. Their career and technology education classrooms provide hands-on learning environments in which they can increase technological proficiency, develop entrepreneurial skills and gain practical experience. In addition, technology education programs designed for grades six through 10 also provide students the opportunity to explore and experience potential careers.

These PK-12 school programs focus on producing well-rounded students. Students learn theory in the classroom, practice their skills in labs and shops and gain vital leadership and teamwork skills through their participation in one of seven co-curricular career and technology student organizations:

• BPA - Business Professionals of America, business and information technology education.
• DECA - marketing education.
• FCCLA - Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, family and consumer sciences education.
• FFA - agricultural education.
• HOSA - Future Health Professionals, health careers education.
• SkillsUSA - trade and industrial education.
• TSA - Technology Student Association, science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

More than 98,000 students joined these seven organizations in fiscal year 2023. These organizations afford them the opportunity to participate in both leadership and skill contests at the local, state, and national levels. In addition, many career and technology education students in PK-12 schools are members of the National Technical Honor Society.

For mor einformation click this CareerTech Student Organizations link.

The success of the CareerTech System begins on the front line. Instructors with real-world experiences strive to stay on the cutting edge of technology. Each year, instructors are offered opportunities to participate in educational development and training programs designed to hone their technical and teaching skills. Classroom curriculum is available through the Resource Center for CareerTech Advancement. In addition, program specialists from the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provide technical assistance to instructors.