Model Programs
  Building Industry Technology Academy - North Orange County Regional Occupational Program, Katella High School, Anaheim, CA Build San Francisco - San Francisco, CA
East San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program and Center - West Covina, CAHealth Careers Academy - Palmdale, CA Health Careers Academy - Placerville, CAHealth Professions High School - Sacramento, CAInformation Systems Academy - Lancaster, CALaguna Creek Manufacturing Production Technology Academy - Elk Grove, CA Life Academy of Health and Bioscience - Oakland, CA
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Pre-Engineering Program - Barstow, CAProject Lead the Way (PLTW) Pre-Engineering Program - Lancaster, CASchool of Digital Media and Design - San Diego, CASpace, Technology and Robotic Systems Academy - Lompoc, CAStanley E. Foster Construction Technology Academy - San Diego, CA
 
Type of program Regional Occupational Program
 
Description The Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) is a multi-year high school program in which students gain a broad range of knowledge and exposure to various construction trades. The Academy, which serves approximately 200 students, is a partnership between the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program, the Anaheim Union High School District, and the Building Industry Association of Orange County (BIA). It was introduced at Katella High School in 2002 (and has since expanded to two other district high schools). The program integrates core academic material and technical content focused on construction to help students see the connection between the two. The Academy exposes students to the art of residential construction, while motivating them to continue pursuing education goals. Throughout the program, students work in teams, learning the foundation skills of safety, communication, interpersonal interactions, ethics, problem solving, flexibility, and career literacy as they develop skills in the construction trades.
 
Key Characteristics
  • Students complete design-build projects. Given a pre-established amount of materials, they create a concept, provide project drawings, calculate estimates, and follow the project through to final construction. Students also complete peer worksite inspections.
  • Students attend field trips to industry sites provided through the efforts of BIA and the BITA Advisory Committee, which is comprised of industry representatives who meet monthly. Industry partners also speak at the school.
  • The program targets students who are under-achieving in their academic classes, although enrollment reflects a full range of students.
  • The program encourages all students to enroll in “a to g” courses that meet UC/CSU eligibility requirements in preparation for transition to college.
  • Teachers identify real world applications of academic skills, and opportunities to teach academic skills in the construction classroom. Grants allow teachers to do summer externships in targeted subject areas, which helps them in developing curriculum.
  • Students begin to create a career portfolio in their first year, which they continue to develop as they progress through the program. Counselors visit classrooms throughout the year and help students develop a four-year plan.
  • BIA provides internship and job connections, expertise for curriculum development, support for work-based learning experiences, field trips, and in kind donations of labor and materials.