Oakland Tech Public Services Race, Policy & Law Pathway (RPL)

A public service is one that is provided by government to its citizens, either directly or through the financing of another entity to provide that service. Careers in public service are unique because they center on challenging issues that define the public agenda and involve the provision of vital services to the public—from local to international levels.

Public service professions offer many career opportunities, including the following career pathways: Public Safety, Emergency Response, and Legal Practices. Students engage in an instructional program that integrates academic and technical preparation and focuses on career awareness, career exploration, skill preparation in the industry, and preparation for post- secondary education and training.

Knowledge and skills are learned and applied within a sequential, standards-based pathway program that integrates classroom, laboratory, and project- and work-based instruction. Standards in this sector are designed to prepare students for technical training, postsecondary education, and entry-level employment.

“There is like a familial bond around RPL, just talking about the issues that we do talk about. It's really deep stuff. Like we're talking about race and oppression, and how some of us are more disadvantaged than others. So we’re really close, and I really like how it’s a tight-knit pathway.”  — Race, Policy & Law (RPL) Student