Bridging the Gaps between High School, College, and the Construction Industry

CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY DEBUTS IN JEFFCO SCHOOLS

Five Jefferson County high schools are offering construction related math and career exploration courses this fall in a “Construction Academy” format.  In an exciting model of high school/community college/industry collaboration, Technical Education Pathways Project (TEPP) partners are supporting “Geometry Principles” and “Introduction to Construction” at Jefferson, Wheat Ridge, Lakewood, Bear Creek and Arvada high schools.

Funded in part by the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technology Education program and based at Red Rocks Community College, TEPP connects college, high school, workforce development organizations and construction industry volunteers.  TEPP is working to educate students about career opportunities that exist in construction while helping them acquire the academic skills required to be successful in those careers.   

Jefferson Country requires two years of math to meet minimum graduation requirements, but the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) has changed the rules of the game for admission to the state’s universities:  applicants in 2008 will be required to have three years of math; four years will be the standard by 2010.  To support educators as they work to engage students, TEPP has written curriculum for “Geometry Principles”, could you make this a link to the Math Lesson Plans? a high school math course built around Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) math performance standards.  Tackling geometry, algebra and data analysis in the context of construction design, engineering and trades, “Geometry Principles” offers schools a supplement to traditional, theoretical geometry courses.  For TEPP, there is an additional benefit: exposure of hundreds of students to the skills necessary to compete for increasingly technical building-related careers.

For juniors and seniors who want to learn about construction career opportunities, Construction Academy schools offer “Introduction to Construction”.  Developed by TEPP for the Construction Technology program at Red Rocks Community College, this hands-on, exploratory course is offered at the high schools under Colorado’s Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program.  While building a kitchen/bathroom model, students investigate the many options and pathways available in the business:  trades, management, engineering and architecture.

Students completing both semesters of “Intro” earn eight college credits.  Those wishing to continue are encouraged to enroll, tuition free through PSEO, in additional college courses.  Construction Technology and Engineering Preparatory courses are available at Red Rocks Community College; other local colleges and universities offer additional options.

Industry volunteers partnering with Construction Academy schools assist teachers with guest speakers, jobsite visits, job shadows, and more.  Haselden Construction, Milender White Construction Company, and Weitz Construction are at the forefront of this effort to support students, while working to attract increasing numbers of well-prepared young people into their graying industry.

Construction Academy plans call for the addition of college-level, construction-based algebra and technical writing courses within the next two years.  Work is underway on agreements to provide community college credit for comparable work done at high schools, and to provide transfer credits to four-year college programs.  Additional high schools are joining in 2005. 

For information on participating contact Cathy Rock at the Technical Education Pathways Project, 303-914-6513.

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