Legislature recognizes needed changes to high school graduation requirements
Preparing high school students for careers is the role of education, but business demand and student goals must align to create the vision of education for the future.
Oklahoma’s elected officials see this beautiful vision for Oklahoma schools.
There is a big shift in priorities from business and industry in what students need in America’s K-12 education system, and this is why Oklahoma lawmakers are considering legislation that would modify the state’s graduation requirements to include increased STEM and open career training. It’s part of the state’s plan to improve the way Oklahoma delivers and funds workforce development.
“More people consider career readiness a top priority in education,” said Oklahoma CareerTech State Director Brent Haken. “I think it’s important Oklahoma’s graduation requirements reflect this undeniable need for more skilled workers and more career training opportunities.”
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
Funk praises CareerTech in post
In a recent blog post about an increase in trade school enrollment, Bob Funk Sr. wrote about the impact Oklahoma CareerTech has on the state’s workforce.
Funk is co-founder, president and board member at Express Employment Professionals, which has worked with and supported CareerTech in a variety of ways over the years. Funk was inducted into the Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame in 2022.
“Our Express companies give freely to Oklahoma CareerTech – rated the best in the US by a variety of standards – and applaud the dedication of CareerTech leaders, students, innovative and hands-on curricula and positive outcomes,” Funk wrote.
Read more on the Bob Funk Sr. website.
Tulsa Tech places in MRO Americas contests
Tulsa Technology Center teams placed in several contests at the MRO Americas competition recently.
MRO Americas is the largest gathering of the aviation maintenance community in the world and is focues on maintenance, repair and overhaul of commercial aviation equipment. The contests were set up by industry representatives with the latest equipment. Teams were also judged on their soft skills during the event.
Tulsa Tech had two teams, one adult and one high school. The tech center’s awards were second place, United Airlines professionalism award; first, Abaris Composite competition, high school; first, light harness troubleshooting competition, adult; first, E-Drill event, adult and American Tulsa; and honorable mention, flex fluid lines, high school.
Gordon Cooper seniors participate in balloon eclipse project
A group of pre-engineering seniors at Gordon Cooper Technology Center worked with NASA and Oklahoma State University on the Nationwide Balloon Eclipse Project.
During the eclipse, the students launched 30 weather balloons from Idabel and collected data for research in gravity waves and their effect on weather patterns. They were one of only 52 teams in the country to participate in the project and one of fewer than 12 high school teams.
Read more about their work on the GCTC website.
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State Agency Assistance at a Glance
National Research Center for Career and Technical Education
OK Career Guide Training Opportunities
Live your life as though your every act were to become a universal law. -- Immanuel Kant
