SCCOE Strategic Plan    

The Mission of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education is

to provide quality educational leadership, programs, services, and support

to the children, school

districts, and the diverse community

that makes up Santa

Cruz County.

The end of every year is a time for reflection and 2013 is no different. The changes that we have experienced in the California public education system are the most dramatic since No Child Left Behind and they have the potential to reshape teaching, learning, assessment and accountability like nothing before. The transition of these responsibilities from the state to the local level means that parents, trustees, community members, students and teachers have a greater role in not only student outcomes but also in how to reach the goal of "Every Child Succeeds". 

This issue of Focus on Success highlights the many unique ways students learn and thrive. One of the changes California public schools will experience is that of adopting the pedagogy of the Common Core and along with that we will see a greater emphasis on hands-on and project-based learning. 

The programs we feature are early adopters of those methods. Regional Occupational Programs, Alternative and Special Education have understood the importance of personalized and multi-sensory approaches to teaching and learning and the programs we offer are inclusive of those strategies. Every child can learn and it is up to us as educators to ensure that it happens in every classroom every day. 

The SCCOE will continue to explore new and creative ways through a wide range of programs, as demonstrated in this issue, to promote and foster success.

Monschke Hall across from Cabrillo College was buzzing with activity. Students were busily hanging a gallery of color on the walls, prepping food in the kitchen, practicing speeches and performances, and decorating tables with fresh floral arrangements. Shareen Bell, Executive Director of Your Future is Our Business (YFIOB), says, "It all started with an idea. I wanted to show the business community the skills and talents of our students and what they are learning in their Career Technical Education classes in high school."  

The Green Careers field is a growing industry with many diverse applications in science, math, communications, construction, agriculture, and technology. The ROP Green Careers class at Pajaro Valley High features a hands-on exploration of green career opportunities alongside experts from throughout the region as well as staff from Watsonville Wetlands Watch. 

Read the article about ROP Environmental Careers.

It's a simple equation: learning accelerates when students have individual attention. Begun in August of 2012, The Young Writers Program (YWP) has worked steadily to support students in grades 4-12 with their creative and critical writing skills and to help teachers inspire students to write. Individual attention is at the heart of the program. Trained Writing Project Assistants work individually with students on their writing in the classroom. The end result of such a pairing is stronger skills that are fundamental to future success. 

Read more.

For 24 years the Write-Start Backpack Project has been providing homeless and low-income students with new backpacks and school supplies to start the new school year. Since its inception in 1989, the Write-Start Backpack Project has provided over 26,300 backpacks to Santa Cruz County students.

Read more about the Third Annual Summer Arts Institute.