What is the Purpose of the Regional Occupational Program?
The TCOVE ROP, through a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA), provides open entry, open exit vocational programs and support services that augment, supplement and expand existing vocational offerings of our school districts. The programs must provide instruction for entry-level employment, for advanced training, or for upgrading of skills. The programs must also be limited to those occupational areas where there is reasonable expectation of employment, postsecondary articulation, and where there is sufficient student interest. Click here to view our Mission Statement.

How Many Districts are Served by the TCOVE ROP?
There are currently eleven secondary districts:
Alpaugh, Cutler/Orosi, Dinuba, Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay, Porterville, Strathmore, Tulare, Visalia and Woodlake.

How is the TCOVE ROP Administered?
The TCOVE ROP Board, comprised of one representative from each JPA member district, employs an administrative staff to work with TCOVE ROP districts to oversee the budget, develop instructional programs and to provide support services within board priorities and ROP operational guidelines. This TCOVE ROP works on a decentralized basis contracting with districts to run individual programs that meet local student and employer needs. Each district manages the day-to-day operation of the programs they offer. A Resource Team composed of representatives from participating districts oversees, coordinates and guides the district ROP program through the TCOVE ROP Director.

How is the TCOVE ROP funded?
The TCOVE ROP receives apportionment funds (ADA) from the state to finance its operations. Each member district is allocated a pro rata share of the county base ROP apportionment. Each district program is usually designed to be self-supporting based on funding received from student hourly attendance. No federal funds are included in the ROP operation revenues.

The TCOVE ROP Administration is funded by member district pro rata contribution based on the TCOVE ROP Board established operational budget.

The TCOVE ROP does not charge tuition; however, students may be required to purchase certain materials and books, which they can keep. Unless specifically noted otherwise, students will be responsible for providing their own transportation to class locations including community classroom sites.

Are Employers Involved with the TCOVE ROP?
Through advisory committees and as individual members of the business community, employers assist in verifying local labor market needs, determining curriculum content, providing facilities and equipment, securing instructors, providing expert consultants and in promoting student job placement.

Who Attends TCOVE ROP Classes?
Depending on the enrollment priorities of the individual member districts, any high school student over 16 or adult residing in one of the TCOVE ROP districts may attend a TCOVE ROP class offered in any district served by the TCOVE ROP. To maintain the original concept of TCOVE ROP, high school students receive priority in enrolling in any class; however, adults are welcome on a space-available basis. Travel distance is the only practical limitation on inter-district attendance.

Who are the TCOVE ROP Instructors?
The district TCOVE ROP instructors are credentialed specialists from business, industry, and education that are experienced in their particular subject field.

Where are the TCOVE ROP Classes Offered?
TCOVE ROP classes are offered either on local high school campuses and/or in local businesses where potential employment actually exists. Community facilities and equipment are utilized under formal Community Classroom Agreements signed by both the supporting business and district representative along with the TCOVE ROP Director to provide a combination of school site and work site learning.

When are TCOVE ROP Classes Offered?
In order to meet local community needs, district priorities and students’ schedules, classes may be offered any time of the day, any day of the week, any time of the year.

Can School Credit be Earned for Taking TCOVE ROP Classes?
High school student who satisfactorily completes the course requirements can be granted credit according to local district policies. TCOVE ROP students completing a course receive a Certificate of Completion which list course competencies and is signed by the instructor. In addition, many classes are articulated with local community colleges.

What is Meant by Articulated Classes?
Articulation is an agreement between secondary education (high school), community colleges or four-year colleges which allows a student to receive some type of credit towards a college course for similar vocational competencies learned in high school or Regional Occupational Program.

What Other Related Services Does the TCOVE ROP Provide?
In cooperation with the individual district, the TCOVE ROP Administrative staff offers budget and legislative direction, instructional program development, curriculum development, staff inservice, attendance accounting, student follow-up, centralized coordination of TCOVE ROP Health Careers and related programs, along with public relations activities and materials.