A note from Don Bolce
Since SJ2020's launch, we have worked to organize a community-wide initiative for all sectors to work together toward the common goal of eliminating the achievement gap in the City of San José by 2020.
Our goal was clear-cut and compelling, and we knew that achieving it would require high-quality educational opportunities and support for students from "cradle to career," as well as the collective effort of the whole community.
Now, as we head toward the 2011-12 school year, we believe SJ2020's organizational phase is complete, and deeper implementation is imminent. The recent release of two documents marked the completion of the organization phase.
First, the SJ2020 Annual Report describes the initiative, the development of its framework, as well as SJ2020 metrics, community engagement, communication vehicles, and leadership recruitment. The report also presents highlights of new Santa Clara County Office of Education initiatives in Early Learning, Career Technical Education and arts education, which all support SJ2020.
Second, the SJ2020 Baseline Metrics Report identifies key metrics for San José
students that illustrate the achievement gap. The report will be used to develop and evaluate strategies and programs, and also track our progress over time. More information about these reports is included in this newsletter.
Also, we've recruited an outstanding group of community leaders to serve on two SJ2020 committees. These leaders from business, K-12 and higher education, government, nonprofit and community organizations will provide regional leadership, strategic direction and assistance in the identification of resources and partnerships.
We also continue to identify effective programs in our schools and community that are working to eliminate the achievement gap.
We hope you enjoy this edition of "Closing the Gap" and have a safe, enjoyable and productive summer.
SCCOE Program Director,
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Annual report highlights progress, challenges
 Major strides have been made in the effort to eliminate the achievement gap in San José schools by the year 2020, but "significant challenges" remain.
That was the message of San José Mayor Chuck Reed at the release of the "SJ2020 Annual Report" and "Baseline Metrics" report June 3 at Anderson Elementary in San José.
About 40,000 San José students -- nearly half of all public school students tested -- are not proficient in their grade-level skills. To address this problem, the Santa Clara County Office of Education, the City of San José, educators, business leaders and community organizations in late 2009 launched SJ2020, with the goal to eliminate the achievement gap in San José by the year 2020.
 Reed joined Dr. Charles Weis, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools, at the event. "As a community, we cannot tolerate a system in which groups of students lag so far behind," Weis said. "As a society, we cannot succeed unless all students have the opportunity to succeed."
Summarizing progress of the initiative up to now as outlined in the Annual Report, Weis cited four steps:
- identification of four focus areas (Early Learning, Home and Community, School and Classroom, and College and Career Success);
- launch of the Early Learning Master Plan;
- creation of a series of evaluation metrics to track progress and effectiveness; and
- formation of an executive committee from leaders throughout the community.
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Metrics report shows achievement disparity
The achievement gap is a persistent, drastic disparity in academic performance in key subject areas between two groups: lower-performing Hispanic and African-American students, and higher-performing Asian and White/non-Hispanic students.
 And the SJ2020 "Baseline Metrics" report released June 3 at Anderson Elementary in San José shows just how drastic.
In his remarks, Weis pointed to a chart in the report showing state testing results in third-grade reading.
In the test for that subject, a crucial indicator of future academic success, 74 percent of White/non-Hispanic children in San José score as "proficient" or better. Only 29 percent of Hispanic students reached that mark. That's a gap of 45 points.
Similarly, eighth-grade algebra testing results showed a gap of 43 points. Algebra is a gateway to the study of more advanced math, and another strong indicator of future success.
 The metrics report provides information about SJ2020's progress across the span of development: from kindergarten readiness to completion of post-secondary education. The majority of these metrics are based on measures collected by the California Department of Education STAR testing system.
The report also shows how much progress must be made each year in order to eliminate the gap in the year 2020. "We have a long way to go," Weis said. "But we've built a very strong support network of partners to help us get there." |
Anderson School: Innovation pays off
 Look no further than Leroy Anderson Elementary School to see an example of how dedication, focus, hard work and innovation can improve the academic performance across an entire San José student body.
The Moreland School District institution is a shining example that student success is available for all student populations, and provides a powerful model that Santa Clara County educators can learn from and emulate across the community.
In 2006, Anderson was the lowest performing elementary school in Santa Clara County; by 2010, it was recognized by the California Department of Education for its success in narrowing the achievement gap and named a California Distinguished School.
 Anderson's dramatic improvement is credited largely to "Academic Excellence for All," a systematic approach to ensure all students are academically challenged and receive support. Anderson has also implemented new math programs, and has been featured in The New York Times and in a local ABC TV news segment.
Although its student population has characteristics that typically indicate an achievement gap, Anderson has recorded significant gains in academic achievement in the past few years. At Anderson, 80 percent of students are Latino, and 90 qualify for free or reduced-priced meals. Here's a look at Anderson's accomplishments in recent years:
- 2006 Growth API: 602
- 2010 Growth API: 810
- 2010 API for Socioeconomically Disadvantaged: 807 (up from 577 in 2006)
- 2010 API for English Learners: 806 (up from 560 in 2006)
"Anderson teaches us that we can reach every student," Weis said. "We can close the gap. And we should never give up."
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Early learning model bound for San José
 Nearly $4 million in seed money has been raised to build a state-of-the-art early learning facility that will serve children in families in Santa Clara County through a renowned model for early education that is closely aligned with SJ2020.
The Educare of California at Silicon Valley facility will house an early learning center, a professional development institute and a community Family Resource Center adjacent to Santee Elementary School in the Franklin-McKinley School District in southeast San José.
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation agreed to commit $2.5 million over five years to help build the facility. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County has committed $1 million toward developing the facility, and First 5 California committed $300,000 over three years for staffing to support implementation.
With the financial commitments in place, a campaign will start an effort to raise the balance of approximately $16 million needed for the project.
These local supporters, as well as the Franklin-McKinley School District, Santa Clara County Office of Education and Silicon Valley Leadership Group, are committed to the goal of ensuring that all children in Santa Clara County are ready for school. Other state and national partners include the Bounce Early Learning Network, the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, and the Ounce of Prevention Fund.
 Educare is a renowned, national network of full-day, year-round schools that serve at-risk children from birth to age 5. The schools provide the highest quality programming and instructional support that develop early skills and nurture parent-child relationships, creating the foundation for learning. View a video about Educare.
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 Sacred Heart programs empower parents
Sacred Heart Community Service offers several programs that empower San José parents to get involved in their children's education, which aligns with SJ2020's Parent Engagement pillar.
The programs emphasize to parents the importance of a child's entire educational continuum, from early education to college and career. They are among the San José-based nonprofit's robust offering of services designed to address poverty in Silicon Valley.
 Parents of Preschoolers (POPs) and Early Childhood Education (ECE) work together to improve short- and long-term academic, social and developmental outcomes for impoverished parents and their children in San José.
POPs enrollees participate in parenting classes and also improve English skills so that they can better communicate with their child's teacher. Meantime, their children learn the alphabet, numbers, shapes and colors, as well as socialization and direction-following skills in ECE classes that prepare them for kindergarten.
Familias Unidas, or Families United, teaches parents about the school system and the importance of being involved in their child's education. A series of 12 weekly workshops touches on a variety of topics, including parental rights, school district dynamics, and how to build relationships with teachers. Workshops are offered in Spanish and English.
 Since 1964, Sacred Heart has provided needy Santa Clara County residents essential services such as food, clothes and housing assistance. It also offers a path toward self-sufficiency through services such as employment assistance, mentoring, citizenship support, and education programs for adults and children.
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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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