A note from Don BolceSanta Clara County's after-school programs can play an important role in our collective efforts to support student success and eliminate the achievement gap. And given the benefits of these programs, it's no wonder that educators continually seek to increase collaboration with after-school program providers.
Generally operated by nonprofit organizations and located on or near schools, after-school programs provide care, supervision and enrichment opportunities for many children who might otherwise be on the street or home alone after school. With an after-school program, these children can engage in stimulating projects and activities in a safe environment with adults who provide support and care.
These programs typically operate for three hours after school, which means they can offer the staggering equivalent of 60 additional school days of learning annually. Research shows that these programs have positive impact on homework completion and school attendance, as well as reading and math scores.
These effective programs share a number of common strategies or best practices: Their programs are aligned with the school programs, they coordinate with the schools and share data, and their programs focus on student engagement.
Many of these after-school programs are funded in part by the California Department of Education through the After School Education and Safety Program (ASES), which was created by the passage of Proposition 49 in 2002.
Through the ASES program, school districts receive funds which they use to contract with the nonprofit afterschool provider for services at a school.
We are fortunate here in Santa Clara County to have the Santa Clara County After School Collaborative and a core of strong after-school provider agencies committed to high-quality services and improving educational outcomes for students.
We have begun discussions with these organizations about how they are involved in SJ2020 and what we can do together to eliminate the achievement gap. Learn more about the After School Collaborative in this issue of Closing the Gap, and we'll tell you in future issues more about other programs and their successes in helping students achieve.
SCCOE Program Director,
Special Projects
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SJ2020: A bold action for complex challenges
A presentation on SJ2020 seemed like the perfect fit for a conference with a theme of "Bold Actions for Complex Challenges."
Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Charles Weis, Ph.D., spoke about SJ2020 at the ASCD conference March 28 in San Francisco. In a presentation titled "Bold Actions for Improvement in the Bay Area," Dr. Weis shared the podium with Marin County Superintendent Mary Jane Burke and Oakland Unified Superintendent Tony Smith.
 The SJ2020 presentation touched on the challenges that the initiative must address; actions that have been taken to overcome those challenges; and early progress and success. Examples of early progress include the launch of the Early Learning Master Plan last fall, the Franklin-McKinley Children's Initiative, the work toward locating an Educare facility in San José, and trainings and work groups that have been formed.
Dr. Weis also outlined next steps for the initiative:
- Continued resource map development
- Metrics report
- Recruitment and initial meetings of executive and leadership committees
- Creation and constitution of focus area workgroups
- Resource development efforts, including funding applications
The conference drew thousands of educators from around the globe, including teachers, principals, superintendents and school board members, who joined colleagues and experts for professional development designed to improve student achievement.
 ASCD is a nonprofit educational leadership association, with a membership of 160,000 educators from 148 countries.
Dr. Weis' presentation can be found at the Santa Clara County Office of Education website. Click on "Bold Action: SJ2020," under "Speeches, Writings and Presentations."
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"Head of the Class" spotlights SJ2020
 The disparity in academic achievement among San José students has dramatic effects on the economic and social health of the entire region.
That theme emerged in a conversation between Dr. Weis and Don Bolce in the latest episode of "Head of the Class."
"Head of the Class" is a regular online news program produced by the Santa Clara County Office of Education that showcases education programs and initiatives throughout the county.
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SJ youth ready to tackle achievement gap
The majority of students polled at a recent City of San José-organized youth gathering agree that an achievement gap exists at their high school, and the group is willing and committed to doing something about it.
About 250 students attending the fourth annual San José Youth Commission Summit on March 18 participated in the interactive electronic survey as part of a presentation about SJ2020 made by Santa Clara County Board of Education Member Leon Beauchman.
Conducted in the San José City Council chambers, the survey provided an instant snapshot of student beliefs surrounding academic achievement and its effects on the community at large:
- Sixty-four percent of students agreed that the level of their peers' academic achievement affected their school experience, and 68 percent believed peer achievement affected them and the community later in life.
- Teacher quality and student motivation topped the pupils' list of strong influences on academic achievement.
- Student motivation and school environment most needed improvement at the students' respective schools to promote academic achievement.
- The majority of students agreed that even high achieving students have a role in eliminating the achievement gap
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Closing the gap is a good business move
Closing the achievement gap makes good business sense, emphasized education, business and political leaders gathered at a recent forum held at the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
 At the March 22 San José Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce's Access Forum, "Economic Impact of the Achievement Gap: The Business Case for Closing it," experts discussed how large businesses and small companies can strategically invest in their future workforce.
More than 120 business, community and education leaders gathered for the event, which featured a keynote address by Dr. Derek Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of Partners in School Innovation.
Mitchell said four achievement gaps exist: international, racial, income and systems-based. The gaps' persistence and resulting losses in income and increases in social service costs create the equivalent of a permanent national recession, he said. A panel of experts, moderated by Dr. Weis, also weighed in on the topic: Dr. Eric Andrew, Superintendent of Campbell Union School District; Assemblyman Rich Gordon, 21st District; Kim Walesh, Chief Strategist, Acting Director Economic Development, City of San Jose; and Kyra Whitten, Senior Director Corporate Communications, Xilinx. The event was co-sponsored by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, CreaTV and the Silicon Valley Education Foundation. |
 Collaborative unites after-school providers
The Santa Clara County After School Collaborative unites about 45 school districts and local after-school providers to focus on four primary goals: high-quality programs, a well-trained workforce, advocacy and sustainable collaboration.
Proponents of SJ2020 agree that the achievement gap can't be eliminated just by working in the schools. Taking a much broader approach is required, and that includes after-school activities.
 Founded about a decade ago, the Collaborative provides partners with a venue to explore resources and best practices that enhance the quality of various programs, including obesity and physical fitness; nutrition; violence prevention; cultural competency; and the arts.
"We've always been a place for providers to share resources and ideas, as well as to network and garner greater support for these important programs," said Doreen Hassan, a Collaborative facilitator.
Believing that after-school programs are only as good as their workforces, the Collaborative also provides staff of all levels with training and professional development opportunities. This is accomplished through job fairs, college meet-and-greets, exam tutorials and job share programs. Training topics include homework/tutoring, behavior guidance, CPR/first aid, arts education and more.
The Collaborative also works to keep members abreast of current and pending legislation that could affect after-school programs. Members also participate in annual advocacy events like the National Lights On! Campaign in October and the CalSAC's Day on the Hill event every May.
SCCASC is comprised of a wide range of individuals and agencies throughout the region, including Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, YMCA and YWCA of Silicon Valley, as well as numerous school districts.
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It is the vision of the City of San José, the Santa Clara County Office of Education, school districts, charter schools, colleges, and business and nonprofit community agencies to join together to eliminate the achievement gap in San José by 2020. The "achievement gap" refers to the disparity in academic performance between two groups: lower-performing Hispanic/ Latino and African-American students, and higher-performing Asian and White/non-Hispanic students.
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