Santa Ana Unified School District/ Career Development/ ROP

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSER The Santa Ana Unified School District is a large urban district covering a 24 square mile area serving the county seat of Orange County, California. Composed of over 50 schools/programs and serving a population of over 57,000 students, it is the largest district in the county and the sixth largest in California. Santa Ana schools have been an integral part of the local community for over 120 years. Literally hundreds of thousands of youth have received their basic education from the public schools in Santa Ana. The Regional Occupational Program itself has been in operation for 35 years. Ever since the California State Legislature created it, the ROP has been equipping students with the entry- level skills needed for a successful transition to the world of work. The education, both academic and career/technical, that Santa Ana students have received over the years has had a lasting impact on both them and their community. The City of Santa Ana is the second densest populated city in the state, the youngest city in California with a median age of 24 and the youngest median aged city of the 100 largest cities in the United States. During the last complete census period, the census tracts comprising the City's Empowerment Zone areas grew at a rate of 55%; this was in areas with less than I % of vacant space. Santa Ana is the third highest city in Hispanic population in America and it was also one of the primary re-Iocation areas for Vietnam War refugees-particularly those from Laos & Cambodia. Other education-related demographic factors impacting the educational needs of students in the Santa Ana Unified School District include: ve Factors Santa Ana 'USD {' California Free/Reduced Price Meals 71.7% 38.0% 50.1% Limited English Proficient Students 55.8% 28.3% 24.9% Comoensatorv Education 91.0% 39.0% 51.9% I Minoritv/Ethnic PODulation 96.6% 64.3% 69.7% CAHSEE % Dassed 51.0% 69.0% 61.0% SAT % tested 32.0% 42.0% 37.0% SAT total average score ],320 ],592 1,506 Source: California State Department of Education (2005/06 school year) In addition to the academic, social, language, poverty and growth factors facing Santa Ana students, approximately 40% percent are immigrants. Many of these families are newly legalized or undocumented residents who must depend on seasonal, migrant work or entry level jobs for family sustenance. It is not uncommon for students to drop out of school to help support their family. While immigrant parents are generally supportive ofthe schools, they do not have a history of active involvement in their children's education. Clearly, Santa Ana youth face many challenges as they prepare for high tech, high-wage jobs of the 21st century. They are similarly disadvantaged in their level of sophistication about the world of work. They may be the first in their family to finish high school. They frequently have no adult friends or family members who work in high tech or high wage jobs. Their isolation is sometimes difficult for others to comprehend. On a recent field trip, for example. several students saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time and each year, there are graduating seniors who are apprehensive about attending an awards banquet because they have never eaten at a "fancy" restaurant. With the current statewide testing programs, the progress of Santa Ana Unified's students is public knowledge. Obviously when compared to many other Orange County school districts, Santa Ana students do not perform as well on the English language academic exams that are the basis for the statewide performance system. However, when compared to other California districts serving similar