Tulsa Public Schools to expand partnership with Tulsa Tech to McLain High School in fall 2020

(TULSA, Okla.) Tulsa Public Schools will expand their partnership with Tulsa Tech to McLain High School in fall 2020, creating a Foundations of Manufacturing course. This expansion is continuing the district’s work to ensure that every student graduates college-and career-ready. “We believe there are many paths to becoming college-and career-ready and no one‐size‐fits‐all approach to education,” said Superintendent Deborah Gist. “Our partnership with Tulsa Tech is increasing the number of students ready for high‐wage, high‐demand careers by providing students with real‐world career experiences and creating an environment to help prepare all students to meet the needs of an ever‐changing workforce.” McLain High School is geographically close to several manufacturing companies, as well as the emerging Peoria Mohawk Business Park. The expansion of Tulsa Tech programming to McLain helps the district continue to align secondary offerings with local workforce needs, creating opportunities for interested McLain students to learn the fundamentals of manufacturing on‐campus before going on to pursue further opportunities after graduation. “I'm a proud graduate of the Tulsa Tech Lemley Campus,” said Board member Jennettie Marshall. “I attended classes at Will Rogers High School in the morning and at Tulsa Tech in the afternoon. Upon graduating from high school, I was using the trade I was taught by Tulsa Tech and was able to pay for school without taking out student loans. Tulsa Tech prepares our students to be career and college ready. It's the investment that keeps on giving.”

The Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development estimates that by 2025, only 23% of new jobs will be accessible with a high school diploma or less. Tulsa Public Schools is committed to graduating students ready to pursue postsecondary education and this new program is part of that effort. “The newly added Foundations of Manufacturing course will allow more students to get hands-on work experience without leaving their home school,” Dr. Scott Williams, Associate Superintendent for Tulsa Tech said. “The class offer students a one-hour elective that is rooted in real-world experience allowing students to explore career options in high school.” With the addition of Foundations of Manufacturing at McLain High School, this is the fourth high school in the district to have embedded Tulsa Tech programing. Additional Tulsa Tech extension programs include: Foundations of Engineering at Edison Preparatory School and Memorial High School; and Foundations of Manufacturing at East Central High School.