School Districts
Getting Started is probably the hardest part of starting a new program. We have tried to break this process down into five easy steps.
Step 1: Student Interest Survey
We know several things about technical education in High Schools. We know that we must have good curriculum, good faculty, and have students interested enough in the occupation area to enroll in the programs. Since students will be using their elective credits to take a technical program it is very important that we find out from students which program area they would enroll in, if available. We strongly suggest that the district survey its 10th, 11th, and 12th graders to determine their interests.
Along with the Student Interest Survey a thorough review of your student's four-year learning plans will provide your administrative team a clearer picture of which programs might be successful in your district.
We have included a sample Student Interest Survey to help get you started.
Step 2: Local Business Survey
It is impossible to have a good technical program without the support of local and regional Construction companies. These businesses will mean the success or failure of your program. A strong local support from the construction industry will provide you and your students much needed information, technical assistance, and student mentoring just to name a few.
So, before you go any further with your plans for a Construction Program please take the time to survey your regional construction companies. This survey can be conducted through the mail or, better yet, in person. This one-on-one contact will really help in gaining the support of Construction leaders as you will need their assistance through the life of the program. We have provided a sample business survey as a starting point for this most important next step.
Step 3: Department of Labor Data
Idaho's Department of Labor can provide you with a great amount of information about the construction industry in your region and in the state. Most of all their information is available on their website (Job Codes in the 87,000 and 89,000) but we would highly recommend that you visit your regional Job Service Center. Such a visit will provide great information about the past, present, and future in the Construction Industry for your area. They can also help you understand more about hiring practices, turnover rates, wage scales, industry trends, and much, much more.
At this point in the planning process we are starting to gather enough information to see if a Construction Program in your district is even feasible. We now have an idea of student interest, availability of local business support, and a good labor market analysis. All three of these components need to be strong before we go further as our next step will be to see if our district has the resources to start and sustain a Construction Program.
Websites:
Department of Labor - http:www.bls.gov/
Idaho Dept of Labor - http://lmi.idaho.gov/
Step 4: Budget Estimates
Construction Technology can have several instructional strategies ranging from a large “on campus” construction classroom and laboratory to having a trailer in which the students and teacher go out to the job site for their teacher-student learning environment each day. There are many in-between scenarios that all offer the school, teacher and students excellent opportunities for learning and student growth. There is no “right” learning environment as each has its own merits.
Program cost can vary as much as the instructional strategy. Below is an estimate of an average start-up cost and then average annual operating cost:
Start-up Tools and Equipment for on campus instruction |
$12,000 - $15,000 |
Start-up Tools and Equipment for field instruction |
$5,000 - $6,000 |
Required Student Tools (i.e. apron, hammer, tape etc) |
$95.00 per student |
Consumable Supplies (annually) |
$80.00 - $100.00 per student |
Instructional Materials |
$2,500 - $3,000 |
Instructor Training |
$2,000 |
One of our program goals should be “sustainability”. With this in mind, it is possible to find start-up costs through various grants, donations and other industry fundraisers. High school programs often produce some type of end product(s) to help fund annual operating costs. These are generally very well built items and command a good demand in the community. You are encouraged to look at other construction programs in the state to get a baseline of cost – covering activities.
Step 5: Supporting Curriculum
Today's jobs require more education than ever if a student is going to advance in their chosen career. Current data is all suggesting that students need to be taking English, Math, and Science in every semester in high school. Students who are successful in college or the workplace just can't get enough of core education classes. Thus, there is too little precious time left for electives in our student's schedules. Therefore, it has never been so important that students annually review their four-year learning plan with parents actively participating and counselors taking each student's abilities into account as schedules are set for each semester.
A good Construction curriculum is supported by a good general education curriculum. Elective education in technical education needs to start in at least the 9th grade with an "Introduction to Technology and Careers" class along with core classes. Tenth graders looking at the Industrial and Engineering pathway can prosper by taking elective classes in Principals of Technology and a class such as Woods I and Woods II thus forming a strong foundation for their 11th and 12th grade Construction program. There are suggested class guides available at the State Division of Technical Education which begins in the 8th grade and follows through to the 12th grade that supports and completes high school graduation as well as certification standard in Construction Technology. The state guide will look somewhat like the following:
8th Grade |
“ Career Awareness” |
9th Grade |
Career Exploration |
10th Grade |
Principals of Technology (Physics, Biology, etc…) |
11th Grade |
English |
12th Grade |
Completion of State
Math |