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Tulsa Technology Center

Tulsa, OK

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About Tulsa Technology Center

Tulsa Tech: Powering Oklahoma's workforce with cutting-edge career and technical education.

Tulsa Technology Center stands as a pivotal institution within Oklahoma's renowned CareerTech System, offering robust vocational education designed to equip students with practical skills for immediate career success. As a vital component of a statewide initiative, Tulsa Tech connects students directly to the workforce, building on a legacy stretching back over a century of commitment to technical training.

The roots of this impactful educational model trace back to the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917, a landmark federal initiative that first provided funding for vocational education across the nation. Oklahoma quickly embraced this vision, establishing its Division of Vocational Education in 1929. This foundational work paved the way for the formation of technology center school districts, including Tulsa Technology Center, which began shaping the state's skilled workforce starting in 1966.

Today, students at Tulsa Technology Center benefit from this enduring commitment to career readiness. Being part of a system that evolved from its early days to become the Department of Career and Technology Education in 2000, Tulsa Tech continues to innovate, providing targeted programs that respond to industry needs. This ensures graduates are not just educated, but highly employable, ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities and chosen professions.

Key Highlights

  • A cornerstone institution within Oklahoma's pioneering CareerTech System.
  • Benefits from a legacy of vocational education tracing back to the federal Smith-Hughes Act of 1917.
  • Established as part of the statewide technology center school districts formed in 1966.
  • Provides practical, career-focused education designed for immediate workforce entry.
  • Part of a dynamic system that officially became the Department of Career and Technology Education in 2000.

Timeline

1917
Smith-Hughes Act passed, making federal money available for vocational education.
1929
Division of Vocational Education established as part of the State Department of Education.
1932
Department of Vocational Education moved from Oklahoma City to Stillwater.
1941
State legislature established the position of state director of vocational education.
1966
Oklahoma technology center school districts were formed, setting the stage for institutions like Tulsa Technology Center.
1967
Tri County Tech became the state's first area vocational-technical school.
1968
Oklahoma State Board of Vocational and Technical Education established as a separate entity.
1971
First delivery of training to inmates in a Skills Center at the Ouachita facility.
2000
Governor Frank Keating signed House Bill 2128, officially changing the system's name to the Department of Career and Technology Education.

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