New Attendance Officer Manuel Rodriguez is modernizing the antiquated concept of a truant officer by taking a personal approach with Alternative Education students.

After joining the Santa Clara County Office of Education in
April, he strives to connect with students on a personal level by mixing tough talk with humor, and often sharing his childhood struggles if he suspects it might help reach a student.

 "I use humor -- it can't all be lecture," Rodriguez explained. "I have to think quickly on my feet -- I only have a minute or two to build a rapport with them."

Learn more about Rodriguez and his efforts to improve attendance at SCCOE alternative schools.

Research shows that the average worker holds up to 10 different jobs by age 35. So, helping students explore interests and career possibilities is more crucial now than ever.

And the SCCOE's Career Technical Education (CTE) department is doing just that. Now in its second year, CTE provides career awareness, exploration and preparation for students countywide.

The SCCOE will host its second-annual CTE Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 29, 1290 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose. Topics reflect the latest CTE research and trends, and dozens of workshops will be offered.

With CTE emerging as a platform for systemic education reform, keynote speaker Jim Brazell will discuss how to integrate CTE, arts and academics into public schools.

Contact the CTE Department for more information, and register for the conference online.

Leading state and national mathematicians and educators alike will gather at the SCCOE this month to share research that supports algebra success, and discuss educational policy.

Held Oct. 18-20, the 2010 California Algebra Forum III features presentations and panel discussions, as well as regional showcases, presentations and meetings. The forum is co-presented by the California Department of Education, Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee and the California Comprehensive Center at WestEd.

Regional teams participating in the Forum range from pre-K to higher-education educators. They regularly meet and collaborate to share knowledge and research, and develop projects focused on specific needs in their regions.

The SCCOE uses the cutting-edge information shared at the forum to provide technical assistance to the county's school districts.

Here's a summary of the Santa Clara County Board of Education's actions at its Oct. 6 meeting:

• Honored Lorene Torres as October's Employee of the Month
• Passed a resolution to support a parcel tax measure (Measure A) on the Nov. 2 ballot that would fund the Santa Clara County Healthy Kids Program
• Passed a resolution endorsing the Foothill-DeAnza Community College District Educational Outreach and Job Training Measure (Measure E) on the Nov. 2 ballot.
• Adopted the SCCOE's Governance Handbook with Protocols.

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.

October 26 is Election Day -- for California high school and middle school students, that is.

Students participating in the 2010 Student Mock Election will have their say on who should be elected into office, and the fate of ballot measures facing adult voters in the Nov. 2 general election.

The program teaches students the importance of elections and the power of their votes. In 2008, more than 275,000 students from nearly 650 schools statewide cast ballots in the mock presidential election. Educators can register their schools online for participation.

For grownups, Oct. 18 marks the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 2 election. Re-registration is required for voters who have moved, or changed their names or political affiliations.

Send a completed voter registration form to Registrar of Voters, Voter Registration Division, P.O. Box 611300, San Jose, CA 95161-1300. 

Oct. 26 is the last day to apply for mail-in ballots.

In the nearly 12 months since the SCCOE and city of San Jose launched SJ2020, a joint initiative to close the achievement gap in city schools by 2020, much has been accomplished -- but more is planned.

Organizers have focused on community education and engagement; developed a series of top-line evaluation metrics; and garnered support from nearly three dozen educational and governmental institutions, businesses and community groups.

Already, recently released standardized test scores, such as the California High School Exit Exam results, show ongoing progress in the narrowing of the achievement gap.