Press Release
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Tennessee Educators Visit Oklahoma’s Career and Technology Education System A delegation of educators and leaders from Tennessee recently visited Oklahoma to see first-hand what they called a "model" CareerTech system to help them update and improve offerings for students in their state. Thirteen Greene County, Tenn. educators, school board members and private education foundation members visited Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Oklahoma City, and Canadian Valley Technology Center, El Reno. They observed classes at technology centers in which both high school students and adults take part through Oklahoma’s CareerTech system. The Tennessee group is one of many states and countries that have visited Oklahoma’s CareerTech system over the years. Southern Regional Education Board Senior Vice President Gene Bottoms recommended the visit to Oklahoma to the East Tennesseans. He identified Oklahoma as one of the leaders in Career and Technical Education, said Steve Tiger, state coordinator of Oklahoma CareerTech’s technology center services. “These types of activities seem to be increasing in number each year due to our system's outstanding reputation that exists across the country,” Tiger said. “The Greenville committee is passionate about providing quality CareerTech education in the state of Tennessee. This type of collaboration not only assists others as they learn about Oklahoma's CareerTech system, but it benefits us by hearing different perspectives.” Officials from the Niswonger Foundation of Tennessee were also on the visiting committee. The foundation creates opportunities for individual and community growth through education and other charitable activities, said Linda Irwin, director of school partnerships for Niswonger Foundation. “We are in the process of revamping the Career Technical Education Program in Greene County and are seeking information and advice from successful programs around the country in order to make better decisions concerning our programs,” Irwin said. The Tennessee group also visited Sussex Technical High and Polytech High in Delaware. There the CareerTech system is combined with general academics in the high schools. Each student in the high school selects a “major” or area of study and attends regular classes with their other academic classes, as if attending college. “Our goal is to develop a model program that would prepare our youth to live in an ever changing world,” said Greene County High School Supervisor Wayland Seaton. “We want to update our Career and Technical programs in Greene County and are looking for some excellent programs to use as a models.”
Posted Nov 21, 2007 |