Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Charles Weis, San José Mayor Chuck Reed and a host of local educators, business leaders and community organizations have launched SJ2020. The ambitious educational initiative seeks to eliminate the achievement gap in San José and ensure that all students test as proficient or advanced on grade-level state assessments by the year 2020.

"This is the civil rights issue of our generation," Superintendent Weis said. "We know what needs to be done; we know how to do it.  And the time to do it is now."

To achieve its bold goal, SJ2020 will capitalize on research-based strategies that have proven successful in raising student achievement. While many of these strategies are already being deployed in individual schools and communities, Mayor Reed and Superintendent Weis have brought together a broad coalition to coordinate and implement these strategies city-wide.

Read more about the initiative.

The Santa Clara County Board of Education met Oct. 21.   Among the items on the board agenda from that date, the board:
·    Accepted charter school contracts (Agenda Item 11a)
·    Accepted high school graduation requirements (Item 11c)
·    Viewed a presentation on state testing results (Item 12c).  Click here to see an analysis of the test data.
The Board of Education is the elected governing body of the Office of Education. Its seven members serve four-year terms and are elected from different regions of the county.

From preschools to college classrooms, students age five to 25 account for the largest number of confirmed and probable cases of the pandemic H1N1 flu.
 
The County Office of Education and County Health Department joined forces to prevent the spread of the flu and to prepare local schools to deal with cases that arise. A Pandemic Influenza School Planning Toolkit has been distributed to every school district. Sections focus on prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Both the County Office and Public Health have posted extensive information on their Web sites.
 
Learn more about local planning and prevention efforts.

Santa Clara County has a long tradition of honoring its finest educators. The 40th annual Teacher Recognition Event this fall  was one of the best - celebrating the achievements of Teachers of the Year from 30 school districts countywide.  
 
From preschool teachers to high school teachers of advanced placement classes, the much-admired honorees were entertained, presented with gifts and legislator commendations, and applauded by colleagues, family and friends.  State Superintendent Jack O'Connell and County Superintendent Charles Weis hosted the event, co-sponsored by National Semiconductor Foundation, Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union, and the County Office of Education.
 
See photos and read about this year's Teacher Recognition Event.

Most students in Bay Area elementary schools spend 60 minutes or less per week on science, according to a UC Berkeley study.  That's one reason why local teachers turn to Walden West Science Center to provide additional hands-on instruction to 8,500 youngsters each year.  
 
Walden West has made natural science and the environment a fascinating subject for more than 400,000 students since it opened in 1950. A newly redesigned Web site provides quick access to the latest information on programs including:
·  Outdoor Education for 5th and 6th graders and their teachers;
·  Summer Day Camp and Backpack Adventures;
·  Wild Things program for younger students.
 
Owned and operated by the County Office of Education, Walden West receives vigorous support from the Walden West Foundation - which is raising funds for a new Science Center with well-equipped labs and state-of-the-art "green" construction. 

Anne Darling School, a new state-of-the-art facility for medically fragile and other students with special needs, opened this fall in San Jose.
 
Classrooms are larger than in standard schools in order to incorporate therapy areas. Halls are wider to allow for wheelchairs, and the entire building complies with accessibility guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The building is "green" and energy-efficient, with large windows that boost the natural light.
 
The County Office of Education is the county's largest provider of instructional programs and services for children with disabilities. See photos and read more about Anne Darling School.