Broken Arrow Public Schools is extending its construction program from two years to four years, a move aimed at giving students a longer runway to build trade skills before graduation.
The expansion is tied to a partnership with the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Students in the program get instruction across several areas of the jobsite, including masonry, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and safety practices.
OSU Institute of Technology Vice Provost Heather Ortiz said the school and district worked to line up what students learn in the high school academies with college-level outcomes. That alignment allows students to earn college credit for work completed in the Construction 1 through 3 academies, with up to nine credit hours available.
Instructor Scott Reece, a construction teacher at Broken Arrow, said the coursework also focuses on life skills and employment skills. Student Paisley Ward, a Broken Arrow senior, pointed to mock interviews and mock job applications as part of the classwork designed to prepare students for the workforce.
Instructors also said some classes count as dual credit for math, offering an option for seniors who do not want to take calculus or trigonometry.
For contractors, including mason contractors, programs like this put career prep and safety training in front of students earlier. The built-in mock interview and job application practice also creates a clear point of contact for local employers who want to meet students and explain what entry-level expectations look like on a real jobsite.
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