Education:
A strong link to a strong economy
The Regional Jobs Initiative (RJI) is working to create 25,000 to 30,000 new
jobs in the Central Valley. Why is the RJI also emphasizing education? Because
job creation begins with an educated population.
Unfortunately, most of the unemployed in Fresno County lack the basic skills
required to get a job. In 2000, more than 58% of those filing unemployment
claims in the county did not have a high-school or GED diploma — a minimum
requirement for most jobs.
The link between education and a healthy economy is more compelling today than
ever. When students develop skills useful in adulthood and careers, the overall
health of the economy improves dramatically.
The superintendent’s perspective
According to Dr. Peter Mehas, Fresno County superintendent of schools, area
residents must look at education from a new point of view.
“We’re not just in competition with other parts of California and other states.
We are in competition globally,” Mehas said.
And the competition is increasing daily. Mehas cited India and China as examples
of countries that are now challenging America’s prominence in technology due to
their educated and highly motivated workforce.
In order for our students to compete globally, Mehas believes they will have to
be smarter and more flexible in changing jobs.
“At one time, people chose a job for life,” said Mehas. “Now they change jobs
between eight and 14 times, which requires the ability to learn how to learn.”
The solution? Raising academic standards, setting higher personal expectations
and committing to lifelong learning.
“If we don’t have high expectations and standards for students, other countries
are simply going to bypass us,” Mehas said.
There are many educational programs in the Valley committed to raising academic
standards and student expectations. Here is a snapshot of a few that are really
working.
First 5 Fresno: Getting an early jump on education
Many experts believe preschool is a very important base for the education of
today’s children. First 5 Fresno is a state-funded preschool program designed
to get children interested in learning and comfortable in the classroom.
Steven Gordon, executive director of First 5 Fresno, said that the program is
not intended to reduce the family’s role in the development of the child.
“The parent or guardian must be knowledgeable on the impact of early education,”
Gordon said. “The earlier action is taken, the better the results will be.”
First 5 Fresno has made a significant impact in its first six years of
operation, launching 416 projects; assisting 66,000 children and 52,000 parents
and guardians; and distributing more than $90 million.
AVID: Helping average students soar
Progress is also being made in helping average students process information,
think critically and take on more rigorous levels of coursework in preparation
for college entry.
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a program that began in the
Central Valley in 1992, taking “B” and “C” students and teaching them how to
become “A” students while taking more challenging courses.
“AVID students are taught to be creative problem-solvers and they learn to
persist in the face of difficulty,” said Pam McGee, AVID director for the
Fresno County Office of Education.
According to McGee, students in the AVID program are typically the first in
their families to attend and graduate from a four-year college.
Currently in the six-county region, 35% of seniors leaving high school have
completed the courses required for college admission. Among AVID seniors, that
percentage is 86%.
Doctor’s Academy: A booster shot for healthcare careers
Doctor’s Academy began in 1999 at Sunnyside High School to prepare educationally
disadvantaged students for careers in health and medicine.
The program is the result of a partnership between the UCSF Fresno Latino Center
for Medical Education and Research, Fresno Unified School District and the
Fresno County Office of Education.
Now in its seventh year at Sunnyside, Doctor’s Academy has an enrollment of 162
students and a Junior Doctor’s Academy has been established for middle-school
students.
According to Dr. Katherine Flores, director of the UCSF Fresno Latino Center for
Medical Education and Research, Doctor’s Academy is just one example of the
substantial role the UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program plays in the Central
Valley.
“Since its start over 30 years ago, UCSF Fresno has graduated more than 2,000
physicians, many of whom remain in the area to care for members of the Central
Valley community,” Flores said.
Programs offered by Doctor’s Academy include accelerated classes emphasizing
math, science and writing; tutoring from Fresno State pre-med students and
special consideration for Fresno State scholarships; and early admission to the
UCSF School of Medicine.
State Center Community College District: Partnerships at work
Community colleges play a significant role in preparing a knowledgeable
workforce because they listen to employers and create programs that respond to
the region’s needs.
“Most people are surprised when they find out how much community colleges
contribute to the health of our local economy,” said Dr. Tom Crow, chancellor
of the State Center Community College District (SCCCD). “Chances are, the
technician that repaired your car, the nurse that cared for you or even the
police officer that pulled you over received their training from one of our
campuses or centers.”
Reedley College is one of several SCCCD campuses that has partnered with area
businesses to offer industry-specific coursework. Pelco, a video
security-equipment manufacturer, has partnered with the school’s Computer
Numeric Control (CNC) program to train its employees to become CNC operators.
The nursing program at Fresno City College is another success story, having
grown to become the largest undergraduate nursing program in California and the
second-largest single campus in the United States.
Fresno State: Training tomorrow’s leaders today
As the academic center of Fresno County, Fresno State has made it a priority to
engage with the region and collaborate with business leaders to address
specific needs and issues.
According to Fresno State President, Dr. John D. Welty, the university is more
in alignment with the community’s key goals than ever in its history.
“The work that’s under way with the RJI is an example of how community partners
have united to make a positive difference in the region,” Welty said.
Welty cited the success of the Smittcamp Family Honors College, which attracts
the best and brightest students and offers a small college experience within a
large university setting. Many of the college’s graduates remain in the region.
He also credited the Craig Scholars Program, a collaboration with area companies
that gives the university’s best business students an intensive internship
experience in a real-world environment.
Welty believes the percentage of college-bound students must increase if the
Central Valley is to function and compete in the new economy.
He cited the university’s collaboration with the Central Valley Higher Education
Consortium in creating programs to increase the number of students preparing to
attend college.
Unitrack is one such program, enabling 11th- and 12th-graders to take college
courses at their high school. Each semester, over 1,200 students enroll in the
program and receive college credit at Fresno State.
UC Merced: New possibilities, unlimited potential
The Central Valley’s first University of California campus — UC Merced — opened
in 2005, becoming the first major research university to be built in the U.S.
in the 21st century. The UC Merced campus significantly expands access to the
UC system for students statewide, and should increase the college-going rate
among students in the Valley.
The campus opened with nearly 1,000 students and is expected to grow to a total
student population of 25,000 within 30 years.
UC Merced also serves as a major base of advanced research and as a stimulus to
economic growth and diversification throughout the region.
Staged for success
The Central Valley region’s ability to successfully compete in the world economy
will depend largely on how well its education systems reach, educate and
motivate its students.
With numerous innovative programs and strategic academic centers, the region
appears to be well-equipped to prepare the knowledgeable workforce that will be
needed for a healthier economy. Still, there is need for consensus, community
support and the growth and enrichment of teachers to keep our students on
track.
For more information, please visit:
www.readfresno.org
www.first5fresno.org
www.fcoe.k12.ca.us
www.ucmerced.edu
www.csufresno.edu
www.scccd.com
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