V. Student Preparation
Standard
A comprehensive process to prepare students for career transition is in place. Students are given co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities that support career goals. Students are supported and recognized by staff.
Career Awareness and Employability
Career awareness and employability plan across the three years of coursework
First year: Sophomore /Freshman
Familiarize the students with the different branches of the law and public safety field, such as law enforcement, criminal justice, emergency management, and legal studies.
Attend career fairs or information sessions to learn more about potential careers in the field.
Encourage students to take electives or extracurricular activities related to law and public safety, such as debate, or volunteer work with local law enforcement or emergency services.
Second year: Juniors
Get students thinking about their long-term career goals and what steps they need to take to achieve them.
Research colleges or universities that offer programs in law and public safety.
Consider taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses in subjects like government, psychology, or statistics, which can help prepare you for college-level coursework in the field.
Seek out internships or job shadowing opportunities with local law enforcement or emergency services agencies to gain practical experience.
Third year: Seniors
Begin preparing for college by researching admission requirements and application deadlines for programs in law and public safety.
Consider taking the PSAT or SAT to prepare for college entrance exams.
Look for opportunities to develop leadership skills, such as serving as a student ambassador or participating in student government.
Continue to gain practical experience through internships or volunteering in the field.
By taking these steps throughout their high school years, They can increase their awareness of the law and public safety field and build a strong foundation for future success.
Sgt Reyes teaching about a career in Corrections with CDCR
Corrections K9 and his handler
Student Focus
Each student has individual career counseling offered
Mrs. Ohanis our Law and Justice Institute Counselor is constantly counseling students on a career choice. Whether it be a career in the military, pathway in the career of a criminal justice, college choice or any other areas of future success. She works to ensure that the students complete the FAFSA application so that the students are able to pay for and attend the college they wish.
There is a plan in place to ensure students graduate
Mrs. Ohanis is always meeting with our students as a whole and individually, ensuring that the students are taking the correct courses to graduate. She will recommend course that are needed for their post secondary education.
Tracking the graduates of the program
Currently there is not a formal way to track graduates other than second or third party information. Perhaps this is an area that can be improved.
Below is a link for student demographics, graduation rates in our program.
Students have individual career plans and portfolios
The students have a unit on Career Action Plans in which they select a career. The students do research and plan out a strategy and timeline to the eventual career the students select. They will include the education and requirements needed even up to promotion.
The Seniors are required to put together a Senior Project electronic portfolio. This is required by the School District in order to graduate. Please click below for details. Below is the link to a PDF of a Senior project presentation from a student this school year (2023).
Mr. Maynez with graduate Steven Ramirez
Law and Justice Graduation Day
LJI Graduation Day with FPD Recruit Officers
Certifications & Credentials
Appropriate number of students are passing End of Pathway Assessment and/or certification tests or actionable plan is in place to improve performance
The students are required to complete and pass their Senior Project as indicated above under "STUDENT FOCUS".
Students are offered industry certification opportunities
Currently we are exploring courses and organizations that provide industry certifications. However, upon completion of our capstone course and graduation from our program, we award a certificate of completion from the Washington Union High School and the Law and Justice Institute. If the student passes with a C grade or better the students are awarded a certificate from the Fresno CTE/ROP program. A letter indicating the competencies they have achieved are provided as well. We are curently seek accreditation with LAPSEN whic h will provide an additional Achievement cerificate as well.
Number of pathway completers for the past three years including this school year:
Certifications & Credentials
Appropriate number of students are passing End of Pathway Assessment and/or certification tests or actionable plan is in place to improve performance
The students are required to complete and pass their Senior Project as indicated above under "STUDENT FOCUS".
Students are offered industry certification opportunities
Currently we are exploring courses and organizations that provide industry certifications. However, upon completion of our capstone course and graduation from our program, we award a certificate of completion from the Washington Union High School and the Law and Justice Institute. If the student passes with a C grade or better the students are awarded a certificate from the Fresno CTE/ROP program. A letter indicating the competencies they have achieved are provided as well. Now that our program is a Nationally Accredited Program with LAPSEN we will provide an additional Achievement certificate as well.
Number of pathway completers for the past three years including this school year:
Community Emergency Response Training
LJI Instructors teaching PIVOT to 6th grade feeder school students
DUI education and awareness
SkillsUSA
The Law and Justice Institute does not currently participate in Skills USA. However, this is in our 1 year goal. We will be enrolling next school year. We were advised this was one of the elements of the accreditation later in the school year and it would be tough to cover costs for enrollment this school year.
We also have several students enrolled in the Fresno County Sherrif's Explorer program. The Fresno Police Department is soon to visit our class to recruit members for our program. Two of our advisors are Explorer Program Coordinators, Jon Alvarado (Fresno Sheriff's Office) and Lindsay Dozier (Fresno Police Dept.).
Fresno County Sherrif's Explorer
Mia Del Toro
Career Skills Challenge
FCC Police Academy
Firebaugh HS CSI Competition Team
CSI Investigation Team, Simulator and Crime Scene Sketch Competitors
Work Based Learning
Students are made aware 0f career opportunities offered in the community
We have local law enforcement agencies that speak to our students about the LE Explorer post options for the students. They also speak to them about their cadet program. This is a paid pathway to a position as a sworn officer upon graduation. We have other positions available in private security upon graduation as well. Other jobs in public safety are presented to the students as well.
Students are participating in work-based learning (WBL), shadowing, and/or internships
Currently the law enforcement agencies are not offering any job shadows such as sit- alongs or ride-alongs because of many reasons. They indicate they are training many new officers and or staff and do not have the ability to take on guests. Another reason is Covid precautions and the dangers of the job.
We currently have a VIRTRA Simulator that exposes the students to real world police calls for service. This is provided in a safe environment. There is also practical applications such as handcuffing, baton training, traffic stops, felony traffic stops, building searches and many more.
The LPS teacher and WBL Coordinator communicate concerning training plans and mentorship when needed.
Guest speakers from industry and/or field trips are a part of classes
We have all branches of the military speak to our students. We have the State Correctional Officers speak to the students. Local police officer, Sheriff's Deputies, Highway Patrol Officers, Detectives, private security, lawyers and many more speak to the students.
Handcuffing the Sergeant
at CHP headquarters
Student Recognition
Senior Graduates have an opportunity to win a few Scholarships and Awards
The Rod Lucas Character Counts Award and Scholarship of $500
Awarded to the Senior who exemplifies the traits of the Character Counts which are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
The Damon Bagley Courage Award and Scholarship of $ 500
Awarded to the Senior who exemplifies Courage. This student has experienced personal issues and had Courage to still work hard and attain good grades while graduating.
Fresno County Sheriff's Foundation Award and Scholarship of $300
Awarded to any senior that is enrolled in an accredited college and is selected by the instructors and counselor of the LJI.
Fresno County Sheriff's Explorers Scholarship of $300
Awarded to any graduating Senior who is a current Fresno County Sherrif's Explorer and is in good standing at the time of graduation.
Note: At this time our school is not involved in the National Technical Honor Society. However, we will look into the program.
Class of 2019Fresno County Probation
Probation Officer
