The State Board of Career and Technology Education voted to grant full postsecondary accreditation to five Oklahoma technology centers following hybrid accreditation reviews conducted in late 2024.

Accreditation manager Joey Vaneck told the board that examiner teams reviewed leadership, instruction, support services, measurement and analysis, personnel, operations and system impact. Examiners interviewed administrators, staff, students and stakeholders and observed program areas before recommending accreditation.

The board approved full accreditation for Northwest Technology Center (Alba/Fairview campuses), Central Technology Center (Drumright/Sapulpa campuses), Wes Watkins Technology Center (Wetumka), Indian Capital Technology Center (Muskogee and multiple campuses) and Tri County Technology Center (Bartlesville/Pawhuska/Niwotah sites). Vaneck reported no areas of noncompliance at Northwest, Central or Wes Watkins; Indian Capital and Tri County each had one area of noncompliance that the centers corrected with acceptable corrective-action plans.

Board members and local superintendents emphasized the value of business-education partnerships during remarks. Northwest’s superintendent thanked ODCTE staff for the extensive review; Central’s superintendent recognized his administrative team; Tri County’s superintendent noted a recent expansion of its dental-hygiene footprint.

Votes at a glance:
- Northwest Technology Center — motion to approve passed by roll call with affirmative votes recorded for the attending board members.
- Central Technology Center — motion to approve passed by roll call with affirmative votes recorded for the attending board members.
- Wes Watkins Technology Center — motion to approve passed by roll call with affirmative votes recorded for the attending board members.
- Indian Capital Technology Center — motion to approve passed by roll call with affirmative votes recorded for the attending board members.
- Tri County Technology Center — motion to approve passed by roll call with affirmative votes recorded for the attending board members.

Joey Vaneck introduced accreditation staff who conducted the visits: accreditation coordinator Andrew Byer, safety and civil rights staff Alan Nas, and financial aid specialist Sandra McKnight.

Board members did not request further action; agency staff will monitor corrective-action items and provide technical assistance as the centers implement their plans.