Merced County ROP, under the direction of the Merced County Office of Education, has taken an active role in implementation of career education and guidance programs within the high school districts we serve. In the belief that career education and work-based learning experiences are an integral part of education, as referenced in major education documents and reform movements (i.e. Aiming High, SCANS, School-To-Career, Integration of Academic and Career-Technical Education), Merced County ROP will stand ready as a partner in assisting schools to develop a Comprehensive Career Guidance/Preparation Program (CCGPP). An effective CCGPP should draw from the competencies and philosophies set forth in the following publications while allowing flexibility for local school district needs:

• National Standards for School Counseling Program
• National Career Development Guidelines
• SCANS
• California Technical Education Frameworks for Career Performance Standards
• California School-to-Career Frameworks
• Aiming High
• WASC Accreditation

Across Merced County schools, many promising activities are currently in place in the area of career development. Development of a CCGPP does not mean starting all over. It means taking inventory of what is in place, what is effective, determining the gaps, and designing strategies for implementing activities across the curriculum to assist all students in setting realistic career goals. It means taking a team approach in developing a comprehensive plan which includes guidance and counseling personnel, as well as academic and career-technical teachers.

The Career Center is the nucleus of a well-structured high school Comprehensive Career Guidance/Preparation Program. It serves as a resource for each educational level of career education, as well as an integral part of the overall guidance program. The Career Center, under the supervision of the Career Technician, would serve as the resource center for students and teachers by:

1. Becoming a center where students and teachers could explore career opportunities:
   • to learn about occupations consistent with student interests and abilities.
   • for understanding of postsecondary training opportunities that could fulfill personal needs and goals.
   • regarding scholarship and financial aid.
2. Promoting career pathways by:
   • organizing career guidance materials and postsecondary information around school-adopted and/or CDE recommended career pathways.
   • working with assigned school staff to create effective promotional career pathway materials.
3. Working with assigned school staff to implement career development activities which:
   • are consistent with the school's career guidance plan.
   • are age appropriate across the curriculum.
4. Providing the following career education information to teachers:
   • updates on emerging careers and workforce trends, and labor market information.
   • new resources which are available and relevant to specific content areas.
5. Promoting workplace connections at school through organized and frequent visitations by outside speakers which represent a variety of career paths.
6. Demonstrating the variety of ways Career-Technical courses reinforce academic standards
7. Working with assigned school staff to arrange and chaperon students on visitations to college campuses.
8. Connecting with feeder schools (elementary and middle) as part of the high school's comprehensive guidance outreach program and as requested by the high school.
9. Serving as a mentor and resource to students in developing job readiness skills.