This month I've had the pleasure of participating in two important forums on bilingual education. First, I moderated a panel on strategies to close the achievement gap, at the annual conference of the National Association for Bilingual Education, held in Orlando, Florida. Then, one week later at the conference of the California Association for Bilingual Education in Long Beach, I spoke on the importance of maintaining bilingual and biliterate programs.
A common issue of both conferences was the Common Core State Standards, and how their implementation presents an opportunity for bilingualism and English language learners.
I have long been an enthusiastic advocate for bilingualism. As I've said in the past, with nearly 25 percent of Santa Clara County's students classified as English learners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education is strongly committed to supporting students in mastering English. We also are committed to supporting their fluency in other languages.
We now have the chance to extend that support, as the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are introduced over the next few years. The standards were developed to provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students across the country are expected to learn in English-language arts and mathematics. Since 2010, 45 states (including California) have adopted the same standards for English and math.
The ultimate goal of the standards was to prepare students for success in the competitive global economy. They were designed to be relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that students need for success in college and careers.
And what could be more relevant to 21st Century workplace success than the ability to speak two or more languages? We should not miss the opportunity to align CCSS curriculum with language proficiency courses and standards. Today, about eight out of 10 Americans speakonly English, and fewer schools are offering world languages in their curricula. This is a direction we must reverse. Students who are not exposed to foreign languages will be at a severe disadvantage in the global economy.
For students who are English language learners, CCSS developers have acknowledged those students' critical need for instructional support that will help them to master the standards; and at the same time, recognized their presence as a classroom resource, with diverse sets of cultural knowledge that add to the learning experience of themselves and their classmates.
By increasing rigor in language classes, strengthening literacy development across all content areas, and helping students to understand and appreciate the value of world language classes, we can enhance their chances for workplace success, and in a multitude of other ways, enrich their lives.
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Storytime
at the COE
Saturday, March 2
10 to 10:45 a.m.
Come enjoy songs, stories, poetry, puppets and more at the COE's monthly Storytime event in the Learning Multimeda Center. Children 2 and up are welcome to attend this interactive event.
Click here for more information.
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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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| Teacher Recruitment Fair connects districts and teachers |
Credentialed teachers seeking a job will mix with representatives from numerous area school districts on Saturday, March 23, at the annual Santa Clara County Teacher Recruitment Fair, at the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
This is the 26th year that the Teacher Recruitment Fair has introduced job-hunters to potential employers from districts across the county. It provides candidates with the opportunity for one-stop shopping in their hunt, and presents districts with a wide array of potential employees who already have their qualifications in hand.
To participate in the free job fair, applicants are required to have a preliminary credential or clear credential, or to have worked as an intern for one year. Applicants may get more information and preregister on-line at www.sccoe.org (click on "Teacher Recruitment Fair" under "Events).
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| Alliance of Black Educators seeks to recognize outstanding students |
The Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators is seeking nominations by March 1 for its student award program, a feature of the organization's Annual Recognition Ceremony for African-American students and community leaders on April 21 in San Jose.
 This annual event is held to encourage student achievement, affirm the dignity of African-American students and to recognize the support of family and community in the lives of our children.
The Alliance will recognize students promoting or graduating from elementary, middle and high school. Students can be considered in these award categories: Leadership/Civic Involvement; Fine Arts/Talent; Spiritual Consciousness; African-American History/Awareness; Academics; Improved Grade Point Average; and Student/Athlete.
The deadline for the organization to receive nominations is March 1, 2013. For more information, including nomination forms, visit the SCCABE website. |
| Adult Transition & Services Fair assists with adjustment to adulthood |
 Representatives from agencies and service providers that assist people with disabilities will be on hand to explain their programs at this event, on Thursday, March 21. The event, cosponsored by Parents Helping Parents and the Santa Clara County Office of Education, will offer a wide variety of information on resources and services that meet the needs of individuals of all abilities who are transitioning to adulthood.  Students who are one to two years from graduation, parents wanting to explore programs and services for their high school student or adult no longer in school, teachers needing to collect information for transition planning, or any education or agency personnel who want more information about adult services all are invited.
The event will take place starting at 9 a.m. at the Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, 1400 Parkmoor Ave., San Jose. For more information, go to www.sccoe.org, and click on Adult Transition and Services Fair. |
| Board adopts resolution for emergency loans |
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Here's a summary of actions taken by the Santa Clara County Board of Education at its Feb. 6 and Feb. 20 meetings:
- Adopted an updated resolution to allow the County Superintendent of Schools to make short-term cash loans from the County School Service Fund to one or more county school districts experiencing a cash-flow emergency.
- Approved an amendment to the contract between the Board and the County Superintendent.
- Approved a district realignment study contract, and a budget revision to absorb the study cost of approximately $29,000.
- Recognized Lonni Gause, Library Resource Assistant, Learning Multimedia Center/Educational Services, as February 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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| Silicon Valley Reads features engaging events in March |
Numerous readings, book signings and discussions continue through March in the Silicon Valley Reads program.
Silicon Valley Reads 2013 features two books that deal with the invisible wounds of war: "The Long Walk" by Brian Castner and "Minefields of the Heart" by Sue Diaz.
Also featured are numerous similarly themed, age-appropriate books for students from pre-kindergarten through their teens.
For more information on the books, events and the Silicon Valley Reads program, visit www.siliconvalleyreads.org. |
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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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