Partnerships

Merced Sheriff's Office

Merced Police Department

Merced Junior College

California Highway Patrol

UC Merced

Program Goals

1-Year Goal:

During the first year of implementation, the Law Enforcement CTE Program will successfully establish a strong foundation by enrolling a sustainable first cohort of students, delivering the newly developed curriculum with enthusiasm, and building meaningful partnerships with local law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. In order to accomplish this, we will do the following:

• Develop and implement a recruitment plan targeting current 8th–10th grade students.
  
  

• Host informational sessions, classroom presentations, and parent outreach events.
  
  

• Promote the program through school marketing channels (website, social media, course fairs, counselor meetings).
  
  

• Achieve an enrollment target sufficient to sustain the program (example: 20–25 students in Year 1).

3-Year Goal:

Over the next three years, the Law Enforcement CTE Program will intentionally expand and formalize partnerships with local industry and community stakeholders to ensure sustained alignment with workforce demands and high-quality CTE standards.

The program will develop a structured advisory committee composed of representatives from local law enforcement agencies, public safety organizations, community leaders, and postsecondary partners. This committee will meet regularly to review curriculum alignment, evaluate program outcomes, and ensure instruction reflects current industry practices, professional standards, and emerging trends in public safety.

Through strengthened partnerships, the program will expand access to high-quality work-based learning experiences, including:

• Structured job shadowing opportunities

• Internships and pre-apprenticeship pathways

• Industry mentorship programs

• Guest instruction and scenario-based training led by law enforcement professionals

• Site visits to local agencies and training facilities

These experiences will be intentionally aligned to CTE standards and career readiness competencies, ensuring students develop technical skills, employability skills, ethical decision-making abilities, and professional communication skills essential for careers in law enforcement and public safety.

Long-Term Goal:

The long-term goal of the CTE Law Enforcement pathway is to establish and sustain a high-quality, industry-aligned program of study that prepares students for postsecondary education, advanced training, and entry-level careers in law enforcement and public safety. The program will deliver a rigorous, standards-based curriculum integrating academic instruction, technical skill development, work-based learning, and leadership preparation.

Through a comprehensive, sequenced course of study, students will develop proficiency in constitutional law, criminal procedures, ethics, communication, report writing, and tactical awareness while applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills in scenario-based learning environments. Instruction will align with industry standards and workforce expectations to ensure students graduate with demonstrated technical competencies and career readiness skills.

The program will intentionally embed character development—emphasizing accountability, respect, collaboration, integrity, and leadership—as essential employability competencies. Students will participate in structured leadership experiences, collaborative projects, and community engagement activities that reinforce professional conduct and civic responsibility.

Program outcomes will include measurable gains in technical skill attainment, industry-recognized certifications (where applicable), postsecondary transition rates, and student participation in leadership organizations and work-based learning experiences. Through continuous program evaluation and stakeholder collaboration, the pathway will maintain exemplary status and meet or exceed state CTE quality indicators.

The Public Service Pathway at El Capitan align with the mission statements of Merced Unified School District and El Capitan High School. Our programs offers the opportunity to learn in a comprehensive learning environment where students will learn the importance of character development such as accountability, respect, collaboration and leadership.  Our program focuses on the preparation of our student cadets for success in college, career, and life while establishing meaningful partnerships with families and communities to support student achievement in and out of school.  

                                          2026 Merced County Explorer Competition

Rosters/Student Ratio:

1st period - Intro to public service (28 students)

2nd period - Intro to public service (33 students)

3rd period - Intro to public service (34 students)

4th period - Criminal Justice (30 students)

5th period - Teacher Prep

6th period - Criminal Investigations (34)

7th period - Collab period

Criminal Justice is the Capstone and is dual-enrolled for college credits. 

Number of intstructors = 1

IEP and 504 students thrive in the CTE environment (names confidential) 

Marketing:

The program is promoted within the school campus, the El Capitan High School website / Merced Union High School District website, and to prospective students via posters and announcements. 

Marketing Plan

Our marketing plan is to reach those who are outside the school district and to utilize and promote our social media.   

Advocation and Collaboration 

While our courses are for high school only, we advertise to our feeder middle schools through course fairs. We do this via our school's collaboration with the middle school teachers and administration.  Our website and social media accounts are current, maintained, and updated. We post approximately once a week on our social media. Our posts include hands-on activities, trips, meeting reminders, and other events.   

Social Media
Instagram - @ECHSpublicSafety

Counselors Collaboration CTE

Our school counselors play a vital role in supporting the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.  Each year, we put together a presentation for all of the counselors here at El Capitan High.  Collaboration with our school counselors at El Capitan High School is essential to the continued growth, integrity, and success of your Public Service Law Enforcement pathway. In a CTE model, counselors are not just schedulers—they are strategic partners in student recruitment, retention, equity, and postsecondary transition. 

Counselors help ensure students are placed in pathways that align with their interests, strengths, and career goals. When counselors fully understand the rigor, expectations, and opportunities within the Law Enforcement pathway, they can:

• Guide motivated students into the program
  
  

• Prevent inappropriate placements that may affect retention
  
  

• Promote the pathway to underrepresented student groups
  
  

• Help students understand long-term career implications early
  
  

Accurate information leads to stronger enrollment and better student fit.

The continued success of the Public Service Law Enforcement pathway depends on a unified support system. Teachers provide technical and character instruction. Counselors provide academic alignment, equitable access, and postsecondary planning. Together, this collaboration ensures students graduate not only career-ready but also prepared to serve their communities with integrity, professionalism, and leadership. 

Accountability 

Budgeting:

The CTE instructor and administration keep track of the whole program budget

Funding for the program is determined by the Associate Principal in charge of overseeing CTE at El Capitan High School

The district supports industry-standard equipment, and the budget varies from year to year depending on needs. 

Equipment Allocation and Expenditure Procedure:

CTE instructors receive input from our advisory board to help identify needed equipment, resupply, or other program expenditures. 

Appropriate vendors provide quotes, which are then forwarded to the Associate Principal. 

A purchase request is then sent to the District CTE administrator for approval. 

Once ordered, the equipment or supplies is delivered directly to El Capitan High School.