Pasadena Unified School District Report on JROTC Programs

Pasadena Unified School District Report on JROTC Programs

Issues Encroachment on the General Fund and Granting of PE Credits

Programs • Blair -- Army • Pasadena -- Navy/Marine • Muir -- Air Force

Overview • The Pasadena JROTC program was established before WWII. A review of data show that the programs have been highly successful in: • Improving student achievement • Producing good citizens • Producing physically fit students • Preparing students for postsecondary education and life. The programs have a strong relationship with the local community and they are seen as a valuable asset.

The JROTC Program The JROTC has a curriculum developed by the Department of Defense and is designed to: • Develop leadership qualities and principles. • Cadets perform command staff responsibilities, and train subordinates. • Develop academic ability, character and honor.

The JROTC Curriculum • Encourage and counsel students for college. • Encourage improvement in grades, so students can earn promotions, and be successful in life. • Integrate history, geography, and civics throughout the program of instruction. • Support school/community, charitable, and fraternal-social organizations.

Performance Outcomes • • • As compared to the general population Blair’s JROTC program for example, consistently achieves higher rates of success. PUSD JROTC Average Daily Attendance 96% 98% Graduation Rate 84% 100% Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) 895 1013 Lower Dropout rates (12 th grade) 88 0 Lower Suspension rates 11. 7% 3. 2%

Benefits The JROTC program: • Makes a positive contribution to the school culture, student achievement, student physical fitness and the community. • Has resulted in reduced student to teacher ratio in PE classes. • Historically over 80% go on to a college or university program.

First Issue: Eliminate Encroachment • The JROTC program is funded over and above the site staffing allocation and therefore reduces the student to teacher ratio. • It is recommended the site contribute from . 50 to 1. 0 FTE from the site’s staffing allocation to cover the two instructors’ encroachment on the general fund.

Recommendations • Programs will maintain enrollment adequate to maintain the contributions of the various services to salary and benefits. • The instructors should also seek funding from other sources, which may include application for California Partnership Academy grant.

Recommendations • The program should request donations from organizations and groups that they provide services. • The business office should annually request copies of the Leave Earning Statements (LES) in order to monitor its revenue and expenditures.

The Second Issue… 1. This years enrollment has decreased significantly as a result of the premature action of the high schools recommendation, that the JROTC program be eliminated due to encroachment. 2. JROTC students were enrolled in regular PE classes, and this year were told JROTC would no longer be given PE credit. As a result of the decreased enrollment, the programs have been placed on probation by the Department of Defense.

Teacher Credentials • The District had several courses where PE credit was given, but the teacher did not hold credentials for PE. • The new requirements is for the Board to grant a two year PE waiver, based on student performance on the state physical fitness test.

PE Intern Credential • At least two high schools have candidates who qualify for a District Intern Credential. • Another option is to grant credit based on the law. It is a generally accepted legal principle that federal law supersedes state law.

Recommendations • The District will support instructors, that are eligible for a District Intern Credential, meet requirements for a PE credential. • The Board of Education should take action to verify that the district intern will be assisted, and guided through the training period by a certificated employee who has been designated per Ed Code 44830. 3(a).

PE Benefit • PE classes at Blair, for example, have enrollment of over 100 students. The 125 students who in past years, would have been in the JROTC for PE are now in regular PE sections. The JROTC allowed other students on the field during their PE period to join them reducing the student teacher ratio of regular classes.

Recommendations • A two-year grace period should also be given a JROTC unit, whose staff is not currently eligible for an Intern Credential. • During this period to reduce class size JROTC instructors will take students from the regular PE classes to reduce class size. A credentialed PE teacher will be designated the teacher of record for the JROTC students. If as a result the staff does not complete the credential requirements, enrollment decreases again, and the programs are placed on probation by the military service, the program may be terminated.

Recommendations (cont. ) • Students will also be expected to meet satisfactorily five of the six standards of the physical performance test, administered in ninth grade, in order for the District to grant a two-year waiver.

Recommendations • The District will need to communicate to parents, students, counselors, and site administrators the Board’s support of these recommendations.

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