Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On 4/22/2024, at about 3:40 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Tish Tang Campground near Hoopa, CA for the report of a possible drowning.

According to witnesses, a juvenile female had been swept away by the river current while attempting to cool off and two additional persons had jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue her.

Upon deputy arrival, the female was observed on a rock on the opposite side of the river and a second person was quickly discovered downstream yelling for help and holding onto a tree. A passing civilian boat assisted in bringing both subjects to safety. Both were transported to a local hospital by ambulance.

The Sheriff’s Office’s jet boat and a Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department boat were launched near the area in which the third person, Joseph Viveiros Dawson Rodney Joseph Dawson Viveiros Jr., age 19, was reported missing. California Highway Patrol and US Coast Guard helicopters were also dispatched to aid in the search. While the search was ongoing, a family member of Viveiros jumped into the river and was swept downstream. The Sheriff’s Office jet boat was able to rescue the man, who was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

HCSO along with multiple other agencies searched the area where Viveiros went missing. An underwater ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) with sonar capabilities was used to aid in the search. The search for Viveiros Dawson has been unsuccessful.   

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Humboldt County Special Services, Hoopa Tribal Police, Hoopa Volunteer Fire, Yurok Tribal Police, CHP Air Operations, United States Coast Guard, Hoopa Ambulance, Cal OES, Yuba County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit for their quick response and assistance in this operation.

UPDATE, 7:45 p.m.: After a mostly quiet day on Cal Poly Humboldt campus, a few hundred people have gathered on LK Wood Boulevard — the largest showing since the first night of the occupation a week ago — to wave signs and chant pro-Palestinian slogans as a few members of the California Highway Patrol look on.

###

It was fairly quiet up at Cal Poly Humboldt today, one week after pro-Palestinian protesters first stormed Siemens Hall and set up camp. National media have come to town, memes have been promulgated, some property has been torn up and graffiti’d, and the university has gone back to COVID-era learning for the remainder of the semester. Various parties on campus, including the University Senate, have called upon President Tom Jackson to resign.

At least for the time being, though, things have settled into stalemate. Activists did their laundry, and supporters held a march and another teach-in near Siemens Hall. A man bearing an Israeli flag marched with them and was not abused.

Will the administration attempt to end the occupation with force before commencement, on May 11? It seems as though there would be no surer way of casting a pall over ceremonies, but it does seem just possible.

Large numbers of Highway Patrol — state government’s principal police agency — have been seen making their way into town. Earlier this afternoon, about 50 CHP officers were seen gathering at the agency’s headquarters on Arcata’s Samoa Boulevard before pairing up and leaving the scene in patrol vehicles. A CHP helicopter had lighted nearby.

Additional out-of-town officers have been spotted throughout the week, including patrol cars from other CSU campuses, including Chico and Channel Islands.

Would such a force assemble were it not intended to clear the campus? It’s possible, maybe. Maybe the hope is to intimidate the protesters into leaving voluntarily. (If they haven’t already, that is. Siemens Hall has been closed to visitors since the weekend, and it’s difficult to know what’s going on inside.) Maybe the officers are here as a contingency, in case things get more out of hand on campus. 

But certainly the fear on campus, among supporters, is that a crackdown could be imminent. The Outpost briefly spoke with one professor who was delivering masks and respirators to students. “Surreal,” the professor called it.

The Outpost’s Ryan Burns caught up with Abdi Soltani, the executive director of the ACLU’s Northern California chapter, who is on-hand to observe. 

“It’s really important for this university, working with its faculty and with its students, to resolve this issue through a response that does not involve a law enforcement escalation,” Soltani said. “It’s not for me to say, like, ‘What will that process produce?’ But to escalate to a law enforcement response, again, will not be good for the university or its community in the long run.”

Full Abdi Soltani interview, April 29.

Social media rumors have it that many of the out-of-town officers have put up at the Blue Lake Casino and Hotel. (The Outpost spotted a CSU Channel Islands police vehicle there earlier today, but that was the only one.) According to the Rancheria, which put out a statement today, its employees have been subject to harassment because of this, and it asks people to cut it out. Full statement below.

[DISCLOSURE: The Blue Lake Rancheria is a minority owner of the Outpost’s parent company, Lost Coast Communications, Inc.]

Press release from the Blue Lake Rancheria:

While Pro-Palestine protesters continue to occupy Cal Poly Humboldt’s campus, they have also turned their attention to the economic enterprises that are operated by the Blue Lake Rancheria, a Federally Recognized Tribe located in Humboldt County, situated in far northwestern California. Protesters claim that some law enforcement officers are staying at the Blue Lake Hotel and have begun to utilize intimidation and harassment tactics against Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR) and their businesses. BLR wants to remind the protesters that it is important to express their concerns peacefully and within the bounds of the law.

There have been unsuccessful attempts to disrupt BLR’s websites, threatening calls made to front desk staff, threats to harm the physical buildings in and around BLR, derogatory comments made to staff and patrons, social media posts naming employees and more. Understandably, these intimidating tactics have been unsettling to many of BLR’s hospitality staff who are members of Union Local 49 out of Sacramento.

Blue Lake Rancheria assures its patrons that these attempts have not been successful and that BLR has many safeguards in place to protect information and staff and ensure that the customer experience while at the Casino, Hotel, or other commercial operations across the property, will remain safe and enjoyable.

Blue Lake Rancheria recognizes and empathizes with the volatile circumstances between Palestine and Israel and desires a cease fire. They emphasize the importance of civil discourse (the practice of deliberating about matters of public concern in a way that seeks to expand knowledge and promote understanding) and localized peace. Ancestors of BLR Tribal Members ancestors experienced the genocide associated with Colonialism such as death, disease, loss of cultural practices, displacement and more, on a deeply personal and cultural level, BLR understands the significance of “Land Back” efforts, but they strongly discourage attempts to disrupt their business operations in the spirit of this movement. It is a direct contradiction to the movement.

Blue Lake Rancheria is committed to securing a better future for its people, protecting its sovereignty and heritage, and building a resilient, healthy economy and environment. They value community and education and work in service to support both. They have a history of progressive initiatives and actions. BLR is a Climate Action Champion that has been recognized by the White House for their innovative efforts to reduce the causes of climate change and has garnered attention and accolades for deploying the first-of-its-kind microgrid to build resilience in response to the climate crisis.

Further, BLR has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in student scholarships, provides over 40,000 meals annually to Tribal Elders across Humboldt and Trinity Counties, leads restoration and monitoring efforts for the Batuwa’t (Mad River), deploys air quality monitors across the region, supports firefighting efforts across the Western United States, serves as a resilience hub in times of regional disasters, sponsors programs such as Toys for Tots, Pathmakers Program, Humboldt Aquaculture Symposium, SAFE (Smoke, Air, Fire and Energy) Symposium, and more. Over the years, Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal representatives have been instrumental in assisting Cal Poly Humboldt’s Foundation to significantly move their portfolio into green investing and real estate holdings and away from many concerning sectors including direct investment in defense-based companies. This has been a source of pride for both the University as well as BLR.

It is the Tribe’s belief that an orderly resolution is possible between the protesters and Cal Poly Humboldt in a manner that can afford the students of Cal Poly Humboldt the opportunity to complete this year with access to the ceremonies and experiences they deserve while recognizing the complex challenges experienced by so many across the globe. This graduating class has endured more than its share of hardships during their university tenure, including the many impacts associated with COVID-19, death of fellow students, 6.4 Magnitude earthquake of 2022, regional climate crisis effects such as wildfire, air quality, sea level rise and more.

It is for these reasons the Blue Lake Rancheria calls for a swift and peaceful resolution to the protests, an end of the occupation of buildings on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus as well as an immediate end to the harassment and threats of unlawful activity currently being experienced by Blue Lake Rancheria’s Tribal Government and their commercial enterprises.

PREVIOUSLY:

• “Going Down,” April 29.

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On April 29, at 9:00 a.m., the Humboldt County Emergency Communications center received a call regarding a possible homicide of an individual inside of a residence on Boynton Prairie Road, Arcata. The caller stated her family member was possibly murdered inside his home. Deputies arrived on scene and located a male subject in his 70’s, deceased inside the residence. There were no obvious signs of assault or injury to the decedent.

Deputies also received information that a potential suspect left the victim’s home and was hold up at a residence in Kneeland. Deputies drove to the 7700 block of Kneeland Road, and subsequently made contact with the person of interest. That subject was questioned by law enforcement and released at the scene. At this time, there is no evidence to indicate this death was a homicide. The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office is leading the death investigation.  

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

Statement of the Executive Director of ACLU of Northern California Abdi Soltani on campus protests:

Abdi Soltani

The ACLU of Northern California is closely monitoring the campus protests and the university and law enforcement responses in our region, particularly at California Polytechnic Humboldt. I am here personally in Humboldt to monitor the student protests and campus response.

During times like these, several fundamental protections come to the forefront. First, there’s the right to freedom of expression and assembly enshrined in the United States and California Constitutions. Second, there’s the right to be free from unreasonable and excessive force at the hands of law enforcement. And third, there’s the core principle that these rights apply universally, irrespective of one’s viewpoint, race, ethnicity, or religion. These protections, however, only survive if we have other fundamental guarantees in place— a free press on the ground, access to legal counsel, and due process.  

We are closely monitoring the student protests and the responses of universities and law enforcement across Northern California. We are receiving and reviewing legal intakes from campuses across the region, including Stanford University and UC Berkeley. As a Berkeley resident, I visited the campus on Saturday to witness the encampment, speak with students, and assess the conditions.  It appears that the students there have been able to express themselves and that the University has, thus far, set aside spaces for such student expression.   

The developments at Cal Poly Humboldt have certainly also drawn our attention. The events at Humboldt are of greater concern, with students occupying a university building and encountering law enforcement. My goals while in Humboldt will be to observe events on campus, establish connections with students, faculty, and members of the public, and open lines of communication.

We urge the Cal Poly Humboldt administration, in the strongest terms, to refrain from involving law enforcement and to take advantage of every available tool to peacefully reach a resolution with the students.

Since its founding 90 years ago in 1934, the ACLU of Northern California has consistently prioritized defending the freedom of speech and the right to protest. During the Great Depression’s longshoreman strike to countless other periods of activism and protest by workers, students, peace activists, and others, we have remained steadfast in safeguarding robust First Amendment rights and the right under the California State Constitution to free expression, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. 

We encourage the public and students to review our Know Your Rights information, and to contact our Legal Intake line if you believe that your rights are being violated. We will post updates to social media over the coming days.  

Press release from the City of Eureka:

With construction of the grant-funded safety improvements on H and I Streets nearly complete, it is important for motorists to understand how to safely and legally drive with the new configuration of the streets. The safety improvements were developed and implemented with the goal of increasing bike and pedestrian safety but, in reality, improve the situation for all users of the roadway. This week, contractors will be painting the final markings along H, I and Harris Streets, including crosswalks and green paint that denotes potential conflict points between bikes and motorized vehicles.

The green paint will be present at the ends of each block, where cars may cross paths with bikes as the cars are turning from or onto side streets. According to California Vehicle Code (CVC) 21717, a right-turning car is supposed to move into the bike lane before the intersection — anywhere from 200 to 50 feet before — first signaling the lane merge, then merging right to the curb lane, and finally making the actual turn once it’s deemed safe.

At some intersections along the H and I corridor, green paint will also be provided in bike boxes. These allow cyclists to safely move from the bike lane to the appropriate position necessary to make a left turn. Motorists must stop behind the green paint so as not to endanger cyclists that may enter the bike box.

As with any new configuration, the lane changes on H and I Streets will require some getting used to for all users of the roadway. Please be attentive, considerate, and patient while driving, walking, or biking along the routes.

More information can be found at the links below:

• State of California DMV
• Bike Lane and Right Turn Lane Usage
• Right Turns SF Bicycle Coalition Video
• Get Your Right Turns Right Video

Video by Andrew Goff.

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One full week since the start of the pro-Palestine student occupation and protest at Cal Poly Humboldt, the campus was fairly quiet Monday morning.

“It’s really chill,” Savana Robinson of Redwood News told the Outpost via phone. “There’s really nothing going on.” She added that the mutual aid kitchen, which as been feeding protesters on campus all week, remains open and is feeding “everyone” who stops by.

Multiple law enforcement vehicles and officers were milling about outside the main protest perimeter earlier today. Siemens Hall remains occupied and barricaded [CLARIFICATION: We can’t confirm that there’s anyone inside], and the surrounding area, which has also been barricaded, is still filled with tents, protest signs and graffiti.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Eureka Police Department, University Police Department and California State University [UPDATE: and Ferndale Police Department] have all been seen on campus in the past 24 hours.

In the pre-dawn hours Monday, an X (formerly Twitter) user identified as an “organizer, student, propagandist” posted footage of activists “erecting a tree sit 60 feet up in solidarity for a free Gaza & end of empire.”

On Sunday evening, the board of the California Faculty Union’s Humboldt chapter issued a message to colleagues outlining ways to take action this week “in order to support student safety, and the reopening campus.” The announcement also lists a schedule for a “solidarity march and workshops” this afternoon:

Hello Colleagues,

We appreciate how many people we have connected with over the last week. Our power is in our collective resistance!  We have 3 items that you can take action on this week in order to support student safety, and the reopening campus. Please share the following widely with your staff and student contacts.

1.) Participate in Phone and Email Campaign Continue to help put pressure on our legislators and the chancellor’s office. The following link has numbers, email addresses, and sample scripts. Please take a moment to make a phone call! Email & Call Campaign, Faculty - Staff - Community

2.) Solidarity March and Workshops Monday April 29th from 2pm-7pm CFA will be hosting an afternoon gathering for faculty, staff, students and community members to march the perimeter of the campus.
Let’s demand safety for students on campus, that OUR university is re-opened, that the administration commits to de-escalating the current situation on campus, and that CPH students can celebrate their accomplishments at graduation.

Please bring a sign, water, a snack, and wear layers.

• 2 pm: Walk and Chant. Meet at LK Wood and 14th Street
• 3 pm: Workshops
• 4 pm: Music (bring your instruments!)
• 5 pm: Workshops
• 6 pm: Food drop

3) Participate in Decolonizing Economics 2024: Earth Day to May Day (May 1-3). CFA is a proud sponsor of this timely online summit, which serves as a platform for addressing the crises of our time and connects directly to the protests at Cal Poly Humboldt. Participants will have access to thought-provoking discussions and presentations aimed at catalyzing systemic change, and gain knowledge for transforming our learning, working, and living conditions. Registration is on a sliding scale, which means you pay what you can. If you are able to do so, the summit requests a contribution of $25-100 so that they can pay a living wage to organizers, and provide a stipend to presenters. If you can not afford the registration fee, please follow the link at the top registration page to the no-barrier registration option.

Find out more and register: https://decolonizingeconomicssummit.org/

In union, CFA Humboldt Eboard

On Sunday evening, the university released its latest campus alert, offering to talk to any protesters willing to have “productive and respectful dialogue.” 

The hard closure of campus remains in effect through May 10. The annual spring commencement ceremony, typically held in Redwood Bowl, remains scheduled for the following day, May 11, though it’s not clear if it will proceed as usual. 

The CPH statement below says, “The University is planning for various scenarios to help students and families celebrate this important milestone.” 

Logistical information and more can be found below.

Here’s the full statement. 

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT ALERT - This has been a challenging time for all of us. The safety and security of our entire campus community are at the forefront of every decision being made. Since Monday, the University’s goal has always been to bring a peaceful end to the occupation. The University continues to talk to anyone willing to have productive and respectful dialogue. 

[See the University’s response to the protestors’ demands at humboldt.edu/emergency.]

The individuals who are occupying Siemens Hall and Nelson Hall East, or illegally camping around those facilities, are urged to leave the campus peacefully now. Leaving voluntarily will be considered as a possible mitigating factor in University conduct processes and may reduce the severity of sanctions imposed. This does not, however, eliminate responsibility for any potential conduct or criminal charges. 
Campus leaders are offering to escort individuals who are concerned for their safety off campus.

A hard closure of campus is now being enforced through May 10, and individuals are prohibited from entering or being on campus without permission. Work and academic instruction will be remote.

There have been requests by many across campus to participate in decision-making related to the recent events, and we are grateful for your desire to help us navigate this difficult time. Once the situation has further stabilized, the University will host opportunities for conversations with the campus community in order to ensure we are moving forward and healing as a campus.  

Housing and Dining: Student residents are allowed to come and go from campus and access Dining facilities, and have been emailed details. Residents and authorized staff are permitted to be in the residence halls and dining facilities areas. Residence halls will remain open to residents and housing operations will remain the same through the end of the semester.

The J, College Creek Marketplace, and the Cupboard will continue to operate during their regular business hours. Residents with meal plans will maintain access to these locations for their dining needs. Student residents should refer to the email that was sent to them. 

Access to Campus: University Division leadership or supervisors will email personnel who are authorized to access campus to provide instructions on the check-in procedure for accessing campus, which will be effective Monday morning. Authorized personnel are approved based on their inability to maintain business continuity in a fully remote environment. 

Commencement: Many people have asked about Commencement. The University is planning for various scenarios to help students and families celebrate this important milestone. 

Technology Support

• Computer pickup: Information has been emailed to staff and faculty about a process for computer pick up to facilitate remote work. 
• Laptop Loaners for students: 
• A limited number of loaner laptops are available for students who need to complete instructional related work.  
• Students must schedule an appointment with the Information Technology Services department in advance by sending an email to help@humboldt.edu with the subject: Student Loaner Laptop Request, and including the following information: software needed, description of use case, contact phone number and preferred pickup time (between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday)
• ITS will respond with a specific time confirmation and meeting instructions.
• Please bring your Humboldt ID, we cannot get you a laptop without it.

Health and Counseling Services

• Students: Student Health & Wellbeing Services is open for telehealth visits during regular operating hours. Please email health@humboldt.edu for medical appointments or email humboldtcaps@humboldt.edu for counseling appointments. TimelyCare is available 24/7 for both acute and scheduled medical and counseling sessions as well as health coaching and other resources.
• Employees: Staff or faculty seeking additional support may utilize the Employee Assistance Program, LifeMatters, offered through Empathia 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Events

• The University is working to relocate athletics events and activities. Coaches will share information with athletes.
• All other on-campus events have been canceled through May 10. If you had catering services scheduled for your event, all services will be canceled with no fees applied.
• Off-campus events are still continuing as scheduled.

Off-campus academic activities: Buses will not be transporting students to field trips, but any activities such as academic internships or field placements that can be conducted safely off campus can continue.

Children’s Center: The Center is open during regular operating hours.

FAQs: General information and frequently asked questions can be found at humboldt.edu/emergency/faq 

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Cal Poly Humboldt News & Information news@humboldt.edu

Please visit humboldt.edu/emergency for more updates.

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PREVIOUSLY: 

• DAY SEVEN: In New Statement, Cal Poly Humboldt Says It Supports Free Speech But Decries ‘Lawless Behavior,’ Disruption of Education and Damages Estimated in the Millions
• Cal Poly Humboldt University Senate Passes Resolution Calling for a Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza
• DAY SIX: Cal Poly Humboldt Issues Hard Closure of Campus; Law Enforcement Converges
• DAY FIVE: Protesters Open Cal Poly Humboldt’s Siemens Hall After Day of Tension Waiting For a Raid That Has Yet to Come
• DAY FOUR: Occupy Cal Poly Humboldt Protester Details Group’s Demands, Motivations and Views on President Tom Jackson, Law Enforcement and Their Campus Impact
• Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty Pass Vote of No Confidence in President Tom Jackson Amid Ongoing Student Protest
• DAY THREE: (PHOTOS) Student Protesters List Demands, Expand Graffiti Messaging and Voice Camaraderie on Third Day of Cal Poly Humboldt Campus Occupation
• Cal Poly Humboldt Says Campus Will be Closed Through at Least the Weekend Due to Ongoing Pro-Palestine Protests
• DAY TWO: The Morning After Cops Clash With Student Protesters, CPH Campus is Closed, Occupied Building Barricaded
• Legendary Rebellious Rapper Chuck D’s Cal Poly Humboldt Event Canceled By In-Progress, On-Campus Rebellion
• DAY ONE: Major Pro-Palestine Protests at Cal Poly Humboldt Provoke Massive Police Response; Protesters Occupy Siemens Hall; Reports of Violent Force Between Activists and Law Enforcement

A school without steers? Unthinkable, said Mason Tucker, a 10th-grader at Madera South High School north of Fresno.

“When I found out there were all these animals here, I thought, I can do this in school? I have to be here,” said Tucker, who commutes 40 minutes each way to attend the school’s agriculture program. “Why hate school when you can love it?”

Steers, sheep, horses, pigs, rabbits, chickens, a sweet-smelling tangerine grove and acres of rotating crops are part of Madera South’s agriculture pathway for students — one of thousands of career-focused courses in California high schools that are part of a renaissance in career and technical education. Aimed at preparing students for skilled, high-wage jobs, the pathways are a step beyond the vocation ed courses of generations past.

First: Rows of citrus trees lined up in a field. Last: Sophomore student Brianna Ramirez checks on the sheep in their pen at the Madera South High School farm on April 2, 2024. Photos by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Since 2015, California has invested well over $3 billion to expand career and technical education in high schools, making it a leader nationwide. That money has translated to state-of-the-art robotics labs, welding shops, film studios and other career-preparation programs intended to spur the economy and offer students more options for their futures, whether it includes college or not.

Students seem to appreciate the opportunities. Enrollment in career pathways has jumped from 18% of all students six years ago to 23% last year. Native American, homeless and low-income students had the highest rates among student groups.

Budget uncertainty could imperil career pathway expansion

More expansion is on the way, unless the initiative falls victim to upcoming state budget cuts. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget, released in January, calls for career education to stay intact, although that could change as negotiations continue. Last August, Newsom signed an executive order creating a Master Plan for Career Education, intended to link K-12 programs to those in community colleges and 4-year universities and streamline the dozens of career training pathways and funding sources.

Despite the surge in funding, Newsom is still a ways off from achieving his goal. While thousands of high schools in California have added or expanded their career education courses in recent years, some high schools still have scant — if any — offerings. Some courses don’t include academic content or lead to meaningful careers.

And while more students are enrolling in career preparation courses, the number should be higher, education advocates said. Ideally, all students should be taking college preparatory classes as well as career education courses, so they have the widest range of options after they graduate.

‘Once in a lifetime opportunities’

At Madera South, nearly all students are in a pathway, one of the highest rates in the state. And most of them are enrolled in the agriculture pathway, a mix of academic classes like biology and chemistry and hands-on courses such as animal science, floral design, welding and engine repair.

First: Sophomore student Saray Madriz demonstrates how students show rabbits in competitions. Last: Students assembled a flower arrangement for a class career pathway course on April 2, 2024. Photos by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

The school includes a 20-acre farm with ample space for livestock and raising crops. Much of the program is self-supporting, as students sell eggs, produce, floral arrangements and animals to their classmates and the community. State grant money has allowed the school to invest in field trips to local nurseries, processing plants and farms, and new equipment, such as a pair of ultrasound machines for students to see how many babies a sheep is carrying.

“It used to be, money was tight,” said Kristin McKenna, the district’s director of college and career readiness. “We couldn’t do a lot of things we wanted to. But now we have state-of-the-art equipment that’s comparable to what’s actually being used in the industry. … It gives students once-in-a-lifetime opportunities they’re not going to get elsewhere.”

“Why hate school when you can love it?”
— Mason Tucker, 10th-grader at Madera South High School

Tucker and his classmates spend hours a day, even in the summer, tending to livestock and growing pumpkins and corn. Brianna Ramirez, a sophomore, said she’s motivated by the gratitude from community members.

“When I see the families line up for our corn, and they tell us how good it is, it’s just an amazing feeling,” Ramirez said. “People say I’m crazy for being out here at 6 a.m. pulling weeds all summer, but I love it.”

Ramirez, who aspires to be a horse trainer or veterinarian, said her grandparents were farmworkers for years and were initially baffled by her interest in agriculture.

Sophomore student Brianna Ramirez checks on the sheep in their pen at the Madera South High School farm on April 2, 2024. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

“At first they were like, why is she always with the sheep? Now, it’s ‘Damn, that girl is always busy,’ ” Ramirez said. “My goal is to always make them proud. … I want to keep the ag part of my family going.”

From vocational ed to career ed

Career programs, once known as vocational education, have been in high schools for at least a century, but were often criticized for tracking students — particularly those who were low-income – into auto shop, for example, rather than college preparatory classes.

In the 1980s, employers started pushing for stronger academic preparation in high schools so workers would be better equipped to tackle fast-changing technologies. In 1990, the federal government updated the Carl T. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act to require schools to integrate academic and vocational programs in order to get grant money.

These days, high-quality career preparation pathways are supposed to include academic courses as well as reflect the local job market, with input from industry leaders. In the Bay Area, that means lots of computer science pathways. Los Angeles high schools are replete with entertainment pathways to prepare students for careers in Hollywood, from acting to camerawork.

Pathways in marine transportation and global logistics

At least two schools in the Los Angeles area focus on global logistics, with support from the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. In Long Beach, Cabrillo High School, which is in a largely low-income area, has a global logistics pathway where students take courses in supply chain management, international business and other topics to prepare them for careers at the port.

In one project, students analyze a country’s imports, exports and biggest trade partners. In another project, students examine a hypothetical solar panels company – where it manufactures the panels, how it ships the panels across the globe, and how logistics impact revenues.

More than 425 students are enrolled in the program, making it one of the district’s most popular.

“Students see the cranes at the port, now they know the story behind them,” said teacher Jim Dowding. “You see students’ eyes get big and you know you’re changing lives. Not just their lives, but their family’s lives and the entire community.”

In San Pedro, a charter school called Port of Los Angeles High School offers several pathways that can lead to port jobs. Among them is a marine transportation pathway that includes classes in sailing, boat-building and navigation. Pathways in welding and construction also prepare students for jobs in the maritime industry. Partnerships with local unions allow students to enter apprentice programs after graduation.

The school is in high demand. Last year 420 students applied for 250 spots in the freshman class. Winners were chosen through a lottery.

“You see students’ eyes get big and you know you’re changing lives. Not just their lives, but their family’s lives and the entire community.”
— Jim Dowding, teacher at Cabrillo High School in Long Beach

Danica Nelson, a senior in the welding pathway, said she’s grateful to gain practical job skills. Her primary interest is theater, but she’s been able to merge the disciplines in a way she thinks will lead to a meaningful career in set construction. At school, she welded a table for a production of “Clue” and a counter for “Little Shop of Horrors.”

“I wanted to study theater but those jobs are hard to get and don’t pay that well,” Nelson said. “But with welding, I can make a good living and still be involved in theater. It’s a perfect fit for me.”

A film studio at Hollywood High

Across the county at Hollywood High, a $1 million state grant allowed the school to transform an abandoned auto shop into a state-of-the-art film studio. Students in the performing arts and media academies learn everything from animation to documentary filmmaking to stage design. One recent graduate, Cheyenne Williams, won an Emmy in 2021 for a short children’s program she directed, “Girls’ Voices Now.”

The academies are a way to guide Hollywood High students — the vast majority of whom are low-income and Latino — toward lucrative careers in the entertainment industry. Surrounded by Hollywood landmarks like the Walk of Fame and the El Capitan Theatre, the high school offers a natural training ground for future actors, lighting designers, key grips and other film set staples.

“Our students see (the entertainment industry) every day, it’s literally right in their backyard, but they don’t know how to access it,” said teacher Ali Nezu, who coordinates both academies. “We try to open those doors, give them opportunities and skills they’d never have access to otherwise, whether they decide to pursue entertainment or not.”

Higher graduation rates, better employment outlook

Research has shown that students in career education programs have higher graduation rates, improved academic achievement and higher rates of employment and enrollment in community college, said Miya Warner, a senior principal researcher with the research firm SRI.

Another benefit of high school career pathways is that the stakes are low if students change their minds. It’s relatively easy to change pathways in high school, while changing majors in college is more complicated and can cost thousands of dollars in extra coursework.

She also pointed out that college enrollment has been declining in California since 2019, as student loan debts climb and completion rates remain low. For many students, going straight from high school to a career is an appealing option.

“People are questioning college in a way they did not previously,” Warner said, adding that is happening in spite of projections that ​​an increasing share of jobs over the next decade will require a college degree. “I think (career education) is definitely having a moment right now. It has bipartisan support, and there’s a lot of good research showing its benefits.”

She cautioned, though, that not all career education programs have the same positive outcomes. The most successful programs are tied to the local labor market and offer a sequence of linked classes, not “a la carte” offerings. Pathways should also link to high-wage careers in growing industries, not low-paying jobs with little future.

Students learning to weld in a classroom at the Madera South High School farm on April 2, 2024. Welding is one of thousands of career-focused courses in California high schools. Photos by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Challenges with accountability and communication

Another hurdle with career education is accountability, said David Stern, a professor emeritus at UC Berkeley who’s extensively studied the topic. Currently, the state’s main accountability measure, the California School Dashboard, uses a “college/career” indicator to count the number of students who meet the state’s college admission standards or finish a career pathway, not both. In 2023, only about 11% of students met both criteria, according to the state.

“To really reach the golden age of (career and technical education), every student should be prepared for college and career,” Stern said. “It shouldn’t be one or the other.”

He also questioned how well schools are communicating with students about their options. Most schools have skeletal counseling staffs, and some students undoubtedly sign up for a pathway because their friends are enrolled, or because someone picked it for them.

At Madera South, Tucker enjoys his time outdoors tending to animals on the campus farm, but he also loves another class in the ag pathway: welding. He recently built a steel table in six hours for a class competition, emblazoned with intricate “Madera FFA” lettering.

In addition to working on farm machinery, welding students learn to make barbecues, fire pits and other metal items. Tucker hopes to continue welding at the local community college after he graduates.

Sophomore student Mason Tucker tying his rope halter to a bar after using it on a steer at the Madera South High School farm on April 2, 2024. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

“This program is what I look forward to every single day,” Tucker said. “I feel like I’ve accomplished so much. It makes me think, what else can I accomplish in life?”

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Financial support for this story was provided by the Smidt Foundation and The James Irvine Foundation.

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