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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Fresno County Grand Jury • 2004-2005

Fresno County Grand Jury 1100 VAN Ness Avenue Room 102

Published: June 17, 2005 7 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 24 findings

Statewide, 80% of high school graduates do not complete college.

Statewide, 11% of high school graduates are University of California eligible.

University of California/California State University a – g college-prep track* admission requirements control the high school curriculum. *University of California Subject Requirement (“A-G” Coursework) (see attached) 9

Educators and employers who advocate a Career Technical Education curriculum in the schools do not recommend elimination of the a – g admission requirements.

The goal of the Fresno County’s Regional Jobs Initiative (FCRJI) is to provide 30,000 new jobs paying greater than $29,500 yearly in Fresno County over the next five years.

A recent audit completed by the FCRJI indicates that in 57.8% of the unemployment claims during 2003, the claimants did not complete high school or have a Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED).

Fresno County employers indicate problems hiring an adequately educated and trained workforce to meet their needs.

Employers indicate potential employees lack basic knowledge in reading, mathematics and communication skills.

Duncan Polytechnic High School in Fresno Unified School District (FUSD): • emphasizes vocational education • integrates a-g course requirements into their vocational program, satisfying University of California admission requirements • utilizes a lottery system to select students to their program because of limited facilities and budget

F10

The drop out rate at Duncan Polytechnic High School in 2003/2004 was 6.9% compared to the FUSD drop out rate of 23.1% in 2002/2003 (comparative data unavailable).

F11

Most schools in FUSD and Fresno County do not offer vocational courses such as: woodshop, auto shop, metal shop, drafting, nursing and healthcare as part of their regular educational program.

F12

The original objective of the federally funded Regional Occupational Program (ROP) was to offer advanced training to 11th and 12th grade students.

F13

Elimination of basic Career Technical Education in K-12 forces ROP to modify its goal to include introductory vocational training, thus limiting enrollment in ROP programs. 10

F14

Presently, 2,142 students are enrolled in ROP programs in Fresno, Madera and Mariposa counties.

F15

Administrators not participating in the ROP program resist because of the requirement to: • complete additional reports • revise the student school day to schedule Career Technical Education courses • hire qualified certified staff • document the federal program

F16

State Center Community College District (SCCCD) offers a comprehensive selection of Career Technical Education courses for general career technical training or to allow students to obtain an Associate of Arts degree in one of the applied technologies.

F17

Approximately 5,000 students are enrolled in the Applied Technology programs at SCCCD.

F18

SCCCD could accommodate additional students in their Applied Technology programs if introductory courses were taught at the high school level.

F19

California State University, Fresno does not offer a teaching credential for Career Technical Education.

F20

The lack of adequate Career Technical courses limits the number of qualified applicants for positions in the trades.

F21

Community business, education and government leaders agree Career Technical Education programs should be offered to middle and high school students.

F22

Career Technical Education programs may reduce the dropout rate.

F23

Most businesses in Fresno County do drug testing before hiring an employee and continue random drug testing.

F24

Many citizens in Fresno County are unemployable because they are unable to pass a drug test. CONCLUSIONS

Recommendations 8

R6

Reinstating Career Technical Educational programs into the regular K- 12 curriculum.
R7

School Board members take the lead to see that Career Technical Education programs be reinstated.
R8

City, County and State elected officials and business leaders focus their support to initiate legislative action at the local and state levels to provide resources to reinstate Career Technical Education into the high school curriculum.
R9

Rescheduling the school day for Career Technical Education as “Best Practices” dictate.
R10

School Boards establish committees of business leaders and employers to address the specific technical areas that are necessary to provide for future economic development of Fresno County.
R11

Including basic academic courses in Career Technical Education programs to ensure student employability.
R12

Stressing at all grade levels the importance of being drug free to be employable.
R13

Offering a teaching credential program for Career Technical Education at California State University, Fresno. FRESNO COUNTY COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION The County Committee of the 2004/2005 Fresno County Grand Jury considered several areas of concern in the course of its investigation. The County committee is charged with overseeing governmental agencies within the cities of Fresno County, the prison system, including the Fresno County Jail and problems that have a direct impact on the citizens of Fresno County. Concerns were expressed by members of the media, County staff, various citizens and correspondence received from individuals incarcerated in the Fresno County Jail and the state prison system. The following areas were reviewed: • County Plaza security issues • Fresno County water issues • Fresno County jails and prisons • Thefts of agricultural equipment and graffiti damage • Fresno County Records Management Program • Fresno County workforce Some of the concerns were being resolved as the investigation began and were not pursued further, and some areas were beyond our purview and were referred to the proper authorities. Concerns relating to the causes of double-digit unemployment in Fresno County were shared by the County, City and Education committees, which resulted in issuing a joint report on the Fresno County Workforce. In the course of its investigation, the committee interviewed: • officials from surrounding cities • County Supervisors • members of the media • Fresno County department heads and officials • experts in areas related to the investigations.