Recently Funded Projects

Project: 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program

This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities designed to complement students’ regular academic program during after school, particularly for students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

In the first round of funding, Clovis Unified School District received money, totaling over $9.5 million, for four of its high school sites, each for different career technical educational initiatives offering an opportunity for a smaller, more focused learning environment for some students. The funded schools and their pathways are: Buchanan High School and its energy and environmental technology industry sector; Clovis East High School and its agricultural mechanics career pathway; Clovis High School and its building trades and construction sector and construction technology program; and Clovis West High School and its focus on the transportation industry sector curriculum emphasizing vehicle maintenance, service and repair.

Project: Career Technical Education Facilities Program
Amount: $ 3,046,428
Agency: CDE School Facilities Planning Division Secondary, Postsecondary, and Adult Leadership Division
Recipient: Clovis Unified School District

In the second round of funding, Clovis Unified School District received money for 4 additional industry sectors and career pathways implemented at two of school sites. Buchanan High School and its Fine Arts Academy received one grant while the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART) received three: two health science and medical sector pathway grants (biotechnology research and development pathway and diagnostic services pathway) and one arts media and entertainment pathway grant.

Project: Teaching American History

The three-year “Reflecting On Our Past” project increased student achievement in American History throughout Fresno County, California, by deepening the knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of traditional American History for 150 teachers in grades three through five. The focus of this program was to incorporate the teaching of history into language arts curriculum to improve student achievement and to support teachers through professional development.

Project: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)
Amount: $ 251,559
Agency: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Recipient: College of the Sequoias

College of the Sequoias purchased equipment, trained faculty, and hired staff through this grant to expand upon its existing Veterinary Technician Program, enabling it to meet the standards of accreditation of the American Veterinary Medical Association and increase enrollment of Hispanic students. The USDA funding allowed the College to provide scientific instrumentation for teaching veterinary technicians as well as opportunities for experiential learning at the College’s 500-acre farm and University Training and Research Center. The Veterinary Technician Training Program meets five of the six USDA Strategic Goals, touches on all six of the Educational Needs and meets three of the Priority Areas. The goal of the program is for every 100 students enrolled in the program, 70% will become qualified to take the State’s certification test to become Registered Veterinary Technicians, and 30% will be ready to transfer for a four-year degree.

The program for students improved technology literacy and academic achievement in science among seventh and eighth grade students at Washington Academic Middle School. The district-wide middle school science curriculum that was implemented, called the “Focus On” series (Glencoe/McGraw-Hill), was approved by the State Board of Education and adopted by the district because of the curriculum’s rich standards-focused content and its toolbox of versatile resources and teaching strategies. “Focus On” includes a variety of software and Internet-based resources, including virtual labs, worksheets, learning games, videos, animation, and assessment tools.

Project: Smaller Learning Communities Program

The Smaller Learning Communities program at Buchanan High School serves a large student population in need of “personalizing” the school experience by creating a college-going and career-oriented culture of support. Students are formed into Smaller Learning Communities of linked core classes during the freshman and sophomore year and career pathways during the junior and senior year, while teachers and guidance counselors on the team worked to personalize the educational experience for each student according to individual goals and interests. The goal of the program is to increase the achievement of all students while decreasing the achievement gap among student subgroup by providing special intervention to all students currently matriculating through the system without the skills or curricular preparation necessary to move on to post-secondary level education.

Project: Food Service Equipment

Clovis Unified School District purchased new energy efficient equipment and hired additional personnel for the preparation of meals on a district school site. Equipment purchased through this grant helped to feed high risk students from Fancher Creek Elementary School (where many students qualify for free or reduced lunches), Miramonthe Elementary School, Gateway High School, and Clovis’s Community Day School (among others) and ensured the quality and safety of the food served.

Project: Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP)

The Carol M. White Physical Education Program grant was implemented at Sanger Unified School District and at other community agencies. The program improved students’ understanding of, personal levels of, and commitment to fitness, increased students’ knowledge and practice of healthy eating habits and good nutrition, and enhanced teachers’ delivery of physical education content and improve their knowledge and understanding of best practices in the field. The grant funded a program that helped students meet state standards, and incorporated PE staff development days, Game Day and other health-oriented events and campaigns.