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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.
⚠️ 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 14 findings
F1
Page 225
At comprehensive high schools in X R1. Districts should develop strategies X the County, while the CTE course for reaching out to English learners and offerings do not thoroughly cover all continuation high school students, to fifteen industry groups, and vary promote CTE programs. substantially by district and school, all students, including English learners, do have access to the programs.
F2
Page 218
Continuation high schools' acce s to CTE programs is very limited. Response: The District agrees with this finding to the extent it has knowledge and based on the representations in the Report on Case# 22-lSGJ. (Pen. Code,§ 933.0S(a)(l).) Explanation: Our continuation high school, East Stanislaus, is a half-day program with approximately 80 students and 4 teachers. Students focus on credit recovery to graduate, rather than on elective courses.
F3
Page 218
Master schedule conflicts limit English learner participation in CTE programs because required EL cla e , graduation classes, and CTE classes are frequently offered at the same time. Response: The District agrees with this finding. (Pen. Code, § 933.0S(a)(l).) Explanation: Multiple CTE pathways provide multiple opportunities for our EL students to participate in CTE classes depending on student choice, graduation requirements, and language support needs. The District has a very low percentage of EL students (6.9 % of Oakdale High School students and 11.0% of District students).
F4
Page 218
Promotion by districts of available CTE transportation is lacking. Response: The District disagrees with this finding. (Pen. Code, § 933.05(a)(2).) Explanation: As of2021-2022, Oakdale Joint Unified provides transportation from Oakdale High to the SCOE Culinary Academy. We also provide transportation for students taking Farm Management classes to the School Farm. All other CTE pathways are held on the high school campus so transportation is not needed. FS. Payment for out-of-pocket CTE expen es i a barrier to participation for some students. Response: The District disagrees with this finding. (Pen. Code, § 933.05(a)(2).) Explanation: The District is unaware of CTE student paying any out-of-pocket expenses to participate in any CTE classes or activities. 2022-2023 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury - Teach, Learn, Every Day, No Excuses Oakdale Joint Unified School District 168 South Third Avenue, Oakdale, California 95361 (209) 848-4884 • Fax (209) 847-0155
F5
Page 225
Payment for out-of-pocket CTE X R5. To promote access, equity, and X expenses is a barrier to participation for participation, districts should promote some students. CTE transportation options. 2022-2023 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury -
F6
Page 219
Access to technology, particularly learning applications are not always provided in alternate languages creating a barrier to participation. Response: The District disagrees with this finding. (Pen. Code, § 933.05(a)(2).) Explanation: Currently, none of the learning applications used in our CTE classes have an option for languages other than English. However, the District percentage of EL students is very low (6.9 % of Oakdale High School students and 11.0% of District students) the teachers encourage the use of Google translate as needed and students who are bilingual are often happy to translate. The District will follow-up with the companies who created the applications in question to determine if they can provide information in other languages.
F7
Page 219
Promotion of CTE programs for English learners and continuation high school students is inadequate. Response: The District disagrees with this finding. (Pen. Code, § 933.05(a)(2).) Explanation: In the District CTE programs are promoted through outreach to feeder schools. CTE teachers go to the feeder schools and share programs and counselors further promote programs during balloting time (when students select their courses). All CTE pathways are explained in the Oakdale High School Trailblazer, the annually published list of courses.
F8
Page 219
More support is needed for English learners and continuation high school students, to improve access and promote equity of CTE pathways. This support can take many forms, including education for parents and students on the value of CTE. Response: The District agrees with this finding. (Pen. Code, § 933.0S(a)(l).) Explanation: Access to CTE pathways in the District is limited based on the students' needs including EL class requirements, graduation requirements, and student choice. Since 2019, OJUSD has had a bilingual career technician at the continuation high school and provides career education to continuation high school students. 2022-2023 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury - Teach, Learn, Every Day, No Excuses Oakdale Joint Unified School District 168 South Third Avenue, Oakdale, California 95361 (209) 848-4884 • Fax (209) 847-0155 FINDINGS Participation
F9
Page 220
English learner enrollment in CTE varies considerably by district and school. Response: The District has no information or belief that this Finding is accurate or not and, on that basis, it cannot agree or disagree with it. (Pen. Code, § 933.0S(a).) There is no variation in the District is CTE classes are only provided at one campus, Oakdale High School. FINDINGS Achievement FlO. The CTE completion rate for English learners is low. Response: The District agrees with this finding. (Pen. Code, § 933.05(a)(l).) Fll. The graduation rate for continuation high school students varies dramatically by school, and the graduation rates are significantly lower than for comprehensive high schools. Response: The District agrees with this finding. (Pen. Code, § 933.0S(a)(l).) Explanation: While we don't have enough information to speak to the graduation rates for all continuation high schools, East Stanislaus High's graduation rate has increased from 56% in 2019 to 69.6% in 2021, an increase of almost 14%. In comparison, The District's graduation rate was 88.4% in 2019 and 90.4% in 2021, an increase of2%.
F10
Page 226
The CTE completion rate for X English learners is low.
F11
Page 226
The graduation rate for X continuation high school students varies dramatically by school, and the graduation rates are significantly lower than for comprehensive high schools.
F12
Page 220
EL high school graduates who graduate have low "college/career" scores. Response: The District agrees with this finding. (Pen. Code,§ 933.05(a)(l).) Explanation: College and Career Readiness scores are made up of several factors including CTE completion rates, meeting a-g requirements, passing AP or International Baccalaureate exams, scores of 3 or better on both the ELA and math portions of the SBAC test, passing courses in which they are giving college credit, earning the State Seal of Biliteracy, or participating in leadership/military science experience. Given the combined requirements English learners face in completing their EL classwork, graduation requirements, and their own choice in their education, many do indeed have low CCR scores. 2022-2023 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury - Teach, Learn, Every Day, No Excuses Oakdale Joint Unified School District 168 South Third Avenue, Oakdale, California 95361 (209) 848-4884 • Fax (209) 84 7-0155
F13
Page 221
The percentage of continuation high chool student who graduate varie from school to school, but the percent not "college/career ready" is significantly low. Response: The District partially disagrees with this finding. (Pen. Code,§ 933.05(a)(2).) Explanation: The percentage of continuation high school students who are "college/career ready" is low, but it doesn't vary as there is only one continuation high school, and the "college/career readiness gap is not necessarily significantly large as continuation high school students are focused on credit recovery rather than electives/CTE pathways. Their school provides a half day program that supports them in garnering enough credits to graduate.
F14
Page 221
Districts need to find additional avenues for English learners and continuation high school students to gain skills to help them succeed in life, be it in college or in a career. Promoting greater participation in CTE is an opportunity. Response: The District agrees with this finding. (Pen. Code, § 933.0S(a)(l ).) Explanation: At East Stanislaus High, we have hired a bilingual career technician to provide opportunities for continuation high schools students. At Oakdale High, we have a dedicated EL counselor who works with all EL students and their families to discuss and schedule course options. This same bilingual career technician also arranges career awareness events, visits by military recruiters, and other career-oriented activities for continuation high school students] RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations 8
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R1Page 235Districts should develop strategies for reaching out to English learners and continuation high school students, to promote CTE programs. Response: The recommendation has not been implemented, but will be developed during the 2022-2023 school year and implemented in the 2023-2024 school year. (Pen. Code,§ 933.05(b)(2).) • DPHS now offers access to the CTE courses at PHS on an individual basis with emphasis on those course students are interested in for post-secondary employment or trade school. • Utilizing career and technical education counselor. 2022-2023 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury - "OUR STUDENTS, OUR COMMUN/1Y, OUR FU1VRE" 510 Keystone Boulevard Patterson, CA 95363 (209) 895-7700 Fax: (209) 892-5803 Veronica Miranda Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services • The District is forming a CTE taskforce to strategize how we better promote and offer pathways and bridge the gap to all our underserved populations
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R2Page 222Di tricts should develop strategies to support Engli h learner and continuation high chool students who enroll in CTE programs. Among possible strategies would be providing interpreters for both students and their families. Additionally, districts should evaluate incorporating English as a second language teachers into CTE. Response: This recommendation was implemented at all times prior to the Grand Jury Report and will continue to be implemented in the future. (Pen. Code, § 933.05(b)(l).) Explanation: Oakdale High School has a bilingual counselor who works with all EL students and families, a bilingual receptionist for the school's main office, a bilingual secretary in the counseling department, and a dedicated bilingual aide, all of whom can provide interpretation and support, and all teachers, including all CTE teachers, are certified to teach English Learners. At East Stanislaus High, we have a dedicated bilingual career technician as well as a district interpreter available. In the new 2022- 2023 school year, the bilingual career technician at the continuation high school, who had previously been employed part-time, was increased to a full-time position to better provide services to both EL and English speaking students at the District's continuation high school.
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R3Page 222With the next release of master schedules, districts should create more flexible class schedules, making it easier for English learner and continuation high school students to both satisfy graduation requirements and participate in CTE programs. Response: This recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable. (Pen. Code, § 933.05(b)(4).) Explanation: Multiple CTE pathways provide multiple opportunities for our EL students to participate in CTE classes depending on student choice, graduation requirements, and language support needs. Our continuation high school, East Stanislaus, is a half-day program with approximately 80 students and 4 teachers. Students focus on credit recovery to graduate, rather than on elective courses. The legal limitations imposed on EL students (having to take designated EL classes) makes it difficult for them to take as many CTE classes as English speaking students; the District offers them these classes but the law limits their ability to take them. 2022-2023 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury - Teach, Learn, Every Day, No Excuses Oakdale Joint Unified School District 168 South Third Avenue, Oakdale, California 95361 (209) 848-4884 • Fax (209) 847-0155
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R4Page 223By December 31, 2022, districts whose continuation high schools do not offer CTE hould begin planning to incorporate such programs in their curriculum. Response: This recommendation requires further analysis. (Pen. Code, § 933.05(b)(3).) Explanation: By December 31, 2022, the administration at East Stanislaus High School will determine whether a computer graphics or coding class for continuation high school students will be offered. Barriers include staffing and time in the student's schedule. RS. To promote access, equity, and participation, districts should promote CTE transportation options. Response: This recommendation was implemented at all times prior to the Grand Jury Report and will continue to be implemented in the future. (Pen. Code, § 933.0S(b)(l).) Explanation: As of 2021-2022, Oakdale Joint Unified provides transportation from Oakdale High to the SCOE Culinary Academy. We also provide transportation for students taking Farm Management classes to the School; Farm. All other CTE pathways are held on the high school campus so transportation is not needed.
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R5Page 259To promote access, equity, and participation, districts should promote CTE transportation options. Response: The recommendation has not yet been implemented but will be implemented by December 2022. (Pen. Code, § 903.05(b)(2)U)) Explanation: It is recognized that, while CTE programs are widely marketed through multiple means, transportation options may not always be highlighted or promoted. The newly created task force, including District and secondary site administrators, will develop a plan for increasing communication and outreach to all community members. The plan developed will inform English learners, continuation students, and their families of CTE courses and programs offered to TUSD students so they may enroll for the following school year. Topics will also include information related to transportation, Career Technical Student Organizations, and the funding that supports these programs so there are no out-of-pocket expenses for students through all means necessary. Included in this plan will be opportunities for staff development so that teachers, counselors, and administrators are clear and communicating this information to TUSD community members.
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R6Page 223To promote access, equity, and participation, districts should provide for out-of pocket expenses for CTE enrollees in their 2022-2023 budgets. Response: This recommendation was implemented at all times prior to the Grand Jury Report and will continue to be implemented in the future. (Pen. Code, § 933.0S(b)(l).) Explanation: There are no out-of-pocket expenses for students in the CTE classes or activities.
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R7Page 223By December 31, 2022, all districts should develop a plan to provide CTE learning applications that reflect the diver ity of their population. Response: The recommendation requires further analysis. (Pen. Code, § 933.05(b)(3).) Explanation: Currently, none of the learning applications used in our CTE classes have an option for languages other than English, and the only language spoken by EL students is Spanish. However, the teachers encourage the use of Google translate as needed and students who are bilingual are often happy to translate. The District will have to review available technologies and will make a decision in this regard by December 31, 2022. 2022-2023 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury - Teach, Learn, Every Day, No Excuses Oakdale Joint Unified School District 168 South Third Avenue, Oakdale, California 95361 (209) 848-4884 • Fax (209) 847-0155 RECOMMENDATIONS Achievement RS. All school districts should participate in a county-wide evaluation of why English learners and continuation high school students have such a poor "college/career ready" scores. This effort should be led by SCOE and occur during the 2022-2023 school year. Response: The recommendation will be implemented (Pen. Code, § 933.05(b)(3).) Explanation: The desirability and feasibility of such an evaluation will be ascertained by SCOE staff with input from local school district employees who are conversant in the EL and continuation high school programs. A decision on whether such a time consuming and staff intensive undertaking will be made on or before December 31, 2022.
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R8Page 290All school districts should participate in a county-wide evaluation of why English learners and continuation high school students have such a poor "college/career ready" scores. This effort should be led by SCOE and occur during the 2022-2023 school year. This recommendation will be implemented (Pen. Code, § 903.05(b)(2). 00540 .001043 382216.1 2022-2023 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury - This recommendation will be implemented {Pen. Code, § 903.05{b){2). The Stanislaus County Office of Education ("SCOE") holds a monthly meeting for all county CTE Directors. The agenda will include an evaluation of college and career ready scores specific to EL and continuation students.