Education Bulletin - August, 2010
In This Issue
� Students return from Japanese cultural exchange
� Tech Branch changes bring efficiency, flexibility
� Community input sought on SJ2020 initiative
� Math enrichment program empowers teachers
� Board accepts donations for student wellness program
� New leadership at local school districts

Charles Weis, Ph.D., County Superintendent of Schools

Too often these days, we hear the complaint that "the educational system is broken."

Well, the educational funding system in California is certainly a dysfunctional mess. But our schools, on the other hand, are not broken at all. In fact - under very adverse circumstances - our schools and our students continue to improve.

The latest evidence can be found in the recently released results of the 2010 California Standards Tests.  Those tests show several signs of marked improvement among Santa Clara County students, including Hispanics, according to an analysis by staff of the Santa Clara County Office of Education.  

One highlight: More of our students are taking rigorous math and science classes - and they are performing better in those classes.  

Teachers and students are just now commencing a new school year in freshly decorated classrooms all across the county. I am confident that they will have another exciting and productive year of teaching and learning. Please give them your support.

- Charles Weis, Ph.D.


-

Parent engagement conference focuses on special education

The SCCOE kicks off a three-part Parent Engagement Conference series on Sept.  25.

With a focus on special education, the event runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and will help parents learn to celebrate their children's unique needs and access community services. The keynote speaker will talk about her experience supporting her brother's special needs.

Workshop topics include building effective partnerships with schools, accessing appropriate special education resources, adaptive physical education activities and much more.

The conference will be at the SCCOE, 1290 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose. Register online by Sept. 20.

Upcoming sessions in the series are scheduled for Jan. 29 and March 5.

For more information, contact Theresa Martinez.

Join Our Mailing List
 Links of Interest


Earthquake preparedness
Check out resources about earthquakes, tips, quake preparedness and special information for teachers and students.


Bullying Prevention
Learn more about how to prevent and identify bullying behavior in students.
Forward to a Friend
Students return from Japanese cultural exchange
Santa Clara County students in Japan
Santa Clara County Children visit Japan
A half dozen students enrolled in the SCCOE's deaf and hard-of-hearing program recently returned from Japan, where they spent about two weeks learning about the country's culture and meeting their Japanese peers.

The group from Leigh High School in San Jose toured several major Japanese cities, where they visited significant landmarks such as the Hiroshima and Okinawa memorials, student Helen Yu wrote in an essay reflecting on the trip.

"What an amazing place!" she wrote. "We went to Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Okinawa - great city and very busy! We saw busy people, busy streets, tall buildings, great cultural diversity and an interesting variety of foods."

But the students also had the invaluable experience of meeting with deaf Japanese high school students. The SCCOE group taught American Sign Language to the Japanese students, who in turn taught the American students Japanese Sign Language.

"Japan was very worthwhile for me, because Japan offered me totally different, new experiences such as socializing with Japanese people, and learning about Japan's culture and language," student Duncan Lindberg wrote in his essay.

Read more about the students' trip and check out a photo gallery.
Tech Branch changes bring efficiency, flexibility
The SCCOE's Technology Services Branch has been reorganized to serve customers better and more efficiently.

Technology Services BranchThe branch is now comprised of three departments: Digital Design and Media Services Center, which handles video, graphics and print services; Information Systems Center, which tackles network and PC support, and systems administration; and Technology Programs and Instructional Support Center, which provides technology training and applications support, as well as other services.
 
Services formerly offered by the Regional Technology Center (RTC) will now spread across the branch. The Communications Services Department will now operate under the Office of the Superintendent.

To learn more about the branch's reorganization, read a letter from Chief Technology Officer Kelly J. Calhoun.
Community input sought on SJ2020 initiative
Are you ready to help close the achievement gap in San Jose?

Two community meetings will be held this month at the SCCOE to solicit public input on SJ2020, the office's joint initiative with the city of San Jose to close the achievement gap in city schools within the next decade.

The meetings run from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 24 and Aug. 25, respectively focusing on one of SJ2020's focus areas: Home and Community, and Career/College Success.

There is no admission fee, but attendees are asked to register in advance online.

The SCCOE is located at 1290 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose.

Get more updates on SJ2020 through Facebook. Visit SJ2020's page and click "like."
Math enrichment program empowers teachers
Teachers improve math content knowledge through program
Math instruction
More than 50 K-8 math teachers from about 10 county school districts are in the early stages of an in-depth mathematics enrichment program that will help improve mathematics content knowledge.

Participants in the program, Silicon Valley: A Laboratory for Learning (80-hour Intel Math), will focus on several principles including viewing mathematics as a second language, and the connection between arithmetic, geometry and algebra.

Through a partnership between the SCCOE, Silicon Valley Leadership Foundation and the Intel Corp., "Laboratory" began earlier this month, and will hold follow-up sessions through November.

The current session marks the fourth year of the program, which was piloted in Silicon Valley and Massachusetts in 2007. Participants in last year's program improved their knowledge in math on the program assessment by an average of 32 percent.

Next year's "Laboratory" is scheduled to begin in June.

Learn more about the SCCOE's mathematics department.
Board accepts donations for student wellness program
Here's a summary of the Santa Clara County Board of Education's actions at its July 21 and Aug. 11 meetings:
Carl Guardino, President & CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group
Carl Guardino, President & CEO, Silicon Valley Leadersihp Group
  • Accepted checks from the city of San Jose and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.

  • Scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, August 25.

  • Conducted a public hearing on the revocation of South Bay Preparatory Charter School.
The Board of Education is the elected governing body of the Office of Education. Its seven members serve four-year terms and are elected by different regions of the county.  Learn more about the members, and view their meeting schedule, agendas and minutes.
New leadership at local school districts
The start of the new school year this month comes with new top leadership in three county school districts.

Jeffrey BaierJeffrey Baier now leads Los Altos School District, where he previously served as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. He replaces Tim Justus, who retired this summer.

Craig A. GoldmanCraig A. Goldman is at the helm of the Mountain View Whisman School District after about 12 years with the district. Most recently, he served as the agency's Chief Financial Officer.

Dr. Vincent MatthewsGoldman replaces Dr. Maurice Ghysels, who left the district to become the SCCOE's Chief Schools Officer.

Dr. Vincent Matthews leads San Jose Unified School District, replacing retired longtime Superintendent Don Iglesias.

Most recently, Matthews served as state trustee for Oakland Unified School District. Previously, he was a regional superintendent of San Diego Unified School District.
Since 1852, the Santa Clara County Office of Education has provided vital services and resources to the county's 31 K-12 public school districts and more than 250,000 students.  The SCCOE strives to provide: advocacy and leadership on education issues, student programs that are models of excellence, and indispensable services to schools and community partners. The SCCOE takes pride in being a premier employer and a champion for children, schools, and community.
Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union