Eden Area Regional Occupational Program (ROP)
Students find encouragement, support, and the will to succeed through ROP
Eden Area ROP, Alameda County, CA
Regional Occupational Programs (ROPs) have been a strong and integral part of California's educational system for over 35 years. ROP learning experiences are designed to reinforce academic skills through applied learning that is career- and job-related. ROP courses provide high school students hands-on experience and training in the community and gives them opportunities to explore broad career pathways.
Eden Area ROP in Hayward, California, has career pathways in Industrial Technology, Health and Services, and Business and Technology. A variety of classes are offered in each career pathway. "Many of our students participate in internships in the surrounding business community," says Eden Area ROP Superintendent Irene Fujii. "We have hundreds of community partners, and each year business and industry representatives review our classroom curriculum to make sure it's up-to-date, as well as verifying relevancy."
Dr. Fujii believes it is very important to connect students to a career focus during high school. "Finding a purpose for hard work, good ethics, and academics gives students the 'food' to grow into productive citizens," she said. ROPs offer employment survival skills, placement assistance, counseling and guidance services, and other critical support services for students in addition to specific skills and comprehensive career education. Dr. Fujii presented some examples of how the Eden Area ROP has influenced students:
In his first year in high school, "Vincente," an immigrant from Brazil, did not do well. He had D's and F's in several academic classes. However, by his second semester of tenth grade, after entering the Eden Area ROP Academy for Business and Finance, he understood the importance of academics. His grades and attitude improved tremendously.
When asked what made the difference, Dr. Fujii replied, "I believe it was two things. He found a program with a focus that fit his personality and his postsecondary plans. He also found a place in a smaller school environment where he would be encouraged and supported. He not only learned how to do well in school, he also learned why doing well is important for future goals.
Dr. Fujii reports that Vincente has since been accepted into Cal State East Bay. He has qualified for international competition two years in a row. He is part of the student government team for the ROP Academy, and he continues to excel academically.
Dr. Fujii also provided the following, written by an Eden Area ROP student:
“The Eden Area ROP class has changed my life tremendously. The ROP has opened so many doors of opportunities to my future... While attending the ROP class I experienced some difficult situations in my home environment. The problems became quite difficult and I really wanted to drop out of school. The one thing that keeps me motivated to go to school was the internship through my medical careers program. I was living house to house and sometimes as far 20 miles away, but no matter where I was I made sure I made it to my internship site everyday and on time. You see at the ROP you are taught that it is important to persevere even in difficult times, and to never, never give up on your future. The ROP is what helped me keep my life together and what helped me stay focused on my dreams and career goals.”
For more information on the Eden Area ROP, contact Dr. Irene Fujii, Superintendent, at irenef@edenrop.org.