At its most recent meeting, a majority of the Santa Clara County Board of Education voted "yes" on two county-sponsored charter school issues. The Board exercised its authority under the Government Code to grant a zoning exemption to facilitate the building of another Rocketship Charter School near the Tamien light-rail station in San Jose, and the Board renewed the charter petition in support of the Magnolia Science Academy-Santa Clara.
Over the past several years, the Board has taken an ambitious but cautious approach in support of charter schools that addresses the academic achievement gap that has persistently plagued our children from poverty and our children of color. This commitment has resulted in approval of 16 charter schools currently in operation, with another 22 planned to open in the future. (In addition, individual districts in Santa Clara County oversee another 35 charter schools.) Clearly, the charter school agenda is central to our school reform efforts and will merit an allocation of resources and conviction to our student-centered agenda.
Charter schools have also become a lightning rod of sorts, with articulate and impassioned debate, both for and against. But one thing that cannot be denied is the role they are playing, and will continue to play, in focusing on students who traditionally have come from the most under-served and underachieving groups in our community. The Santa Clara County Board of Education and I are convinced that strong charter schools constitute a promising resource in our efforts to close the achievement gap. At the County Office of Education, our initiative to close the academic achievement gap, SJ/SV 2020, recognizes the vital role that charters can play in achieving our goal.
The County Office of Education also accepts the increased and important role of monitoring charter schools it has approved. Our staff members, and in turn our Board of Education, will continue to give deliberate consideration to the plans of every charter school proposal that comes to our office. If and when a charter is approved by the Board, our work does not stop; it begins in earnest to ensure that the programs promoted are executed with fidelity. We take very seriously our responsibility to see that those who administer these schools provide the sound, effective and inclusive education practices that they have promised, and that their students deserve.
Given the number of county charter schools, and the prospect of that number continuing to grow, I know it is imperative that our Charter Schools Department reflect the resources necessary to do the job. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every student in our community, whether enrolled in a traditional or charter school, receives the educational opportunities that will allow them to succeed.
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Representatives from school districts across the county will be in attendance at the annual Teacher Recruitment Fair to meet with those seeking teaching positions.
The 2013 Teacher Recruitment Fair will be held March 23 from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the COE,
1290 Ridder Park Drive
in San Jose.
Preregistered candidates may attend from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and unregistered, fully-credentialed candidated from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Register online. |
Links of Interest
Who We Are
Watch a video that details the essential services that the COE provides students, teachers, districts and the community of Santa Clara County.
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| Community school students venture into higher ed |
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 Four students at the Santa Clara County Office of Education's Snell Community School recently completed an ambitious undertaking. They enrolled in evening classes at Evergreen Community College in San Jose, while they attended classes at Snell during the day.
The achievement was made possible by paraeducator Scott Guagliardo. While Scott was working on his own teaching credential and attending Evergreen four nights a week, he helped the Snell students to enroll at the college, then drove them there for classes. To help facilitate their success, he also created an after-school study group for them.
Based on the success of this group, another 27 Snell students enrolled at Evergreen. Parents have stepped forward to volunteer to help get the students to their evening classes.
Courses the students enrolled in range from life management to Asian American studies to career planning.
"I cannot believe the incredible response I have received from students and the enthusiasm on part of some of the support staff and our community partners in assisting me" in the effort, Scott said.
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| Silicon Valley Reads 2013 |
 Silicon Valley Reads has kicked off its 2013 season of shared reading and discussions of two books that deal with the invisible wounds of war: "The Long Walk" by Brian Castner and "Minefields of the Heart" by Sue Diaz.
Events include two talks by the authors on Thursday, Jan. 31. Castner will appear at the Edenvale Branch Library in San Jose at 5 p.m.; and Diaz will speak the Morgan Hill Library at 7 p.m. Question-and-answer sessions will be featured at both events.
Numerous other free public programs for Silicon Valley Reads will follow the event. For more information on the books, events and the Silicon Valley Reads program, visit www.siliconvalleyreads.org.
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 The Silicon Valley Reads program also includes several companion books for children. The author of one of the companion books-"Night Catch" by Brenda Ehrmantraut-will appear at the Library Materials Fair at the Santa Clara County Office of Education on Feb. 5.
The book is described as "a timeless story that connects families while they are apart and offers comforting hope for their reunion."
The Materials Fair is designed for school library staff, teachers, curriculum coordinators and district office staff. Registration and exhibit time begin at 9 a.m. For more information, click here.
Descriptions and additional information on all the companion books for children featured by Silicon Valley Reads this year can be found by clicking here.
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| Board approves zoning exemption |
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Here's a summary of actions taken by the Santa Clara County Board of Education at its Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 meetings:
- Approved a request by Rocketship Education for a zoning exemption to allow a school near the Tamien light-rail station in San Jose
- Approved renewal of the charter of the Magnolia Science Academy-Santa Clara
- Recognized Irene Aguilar, administrative assistant in Alternative Education, as January 2013 Employee of the Month
The Board of Education is the elected governing body of the COE. 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.
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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 COE 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 COE takes pride in being a premier employer and a champion for children, schools, and community. |
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