Issue: #43

January 2014

In This Issue

Gender Equity

LCFF-LCAP Workshop

Aline Kaprive

We're on Facebook

FEATURED ARTICLE

The SMCOE Gender Equity Symposium focused on new state laws and providing a safe school environment for LGBT youth.

Governor's Budget Proposal Spells Good News for SM County Schools

With the California economy steadily improving and the state coffers filling up, many schools are destined to see a dramatic improvement in funding next year. Governor Jerry Brown's budget projects an extra $10 billion under the Prop. 98 entitlement and that number

Gov. Jerry Brown announced his budget proposal at a news conference in Sacramento on January 9, 2014
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should continue to grow in the years to come. The Governor proposes increasing funding by $725 per student next year, and using additional dollars to wipe out the "wall of debt," deferral payments that have been plaguing schools for years.

Senate Democratic leaders have proposed expanding the state's pre-kindergarten program, opening it up to all 4-year-olds. "We'll be watching that one closely as we at the County Office truly believe in the value of early education," notes Denise Porterfield, Deputy Superintendent at the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE).

"Wiping out the debt will help San Mateo County schools with their cash flow," adds Porterfield. School districts won't need to rely on borrowing to meet their needs so that will increase the amount of money they have to spend.

The new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) for schools does put some districts at a disadvantage, however. With 15 of the 23 school districts in San Mateo County designated as Basic Aid Districts and already at a higher funding level, these districts will only see an increase in funding if property taxes increase. In addition, the LCFF sets an equal base for all districts and then provides supplemental funding for high-need students (English language learners, foster youth and low-income students). Since each of the districts in San Mateo County has varying levels of students in need, some districts may get more supplemental funding than others. "Overall, we are pleased with the direction of the Governor's budget so that we can continue to focus on what we've been working on rather than moving in new directions, "adds Porterfield.

Wiping out the wall of debt will mean there will be less of a budget oversight role for SMCOE, notes Porterfield. In addition, the elimination of most categorical programs means that the County Office will have to make some decisions on how best to support districts. "We will be talking to stakeholders to determine what they most need from us," says Porterfield.

Learn more about the Governor's budget proposal here

Gender Equity Symposium Draws a Crowd at SM County Office of Education

Transgender students, identity, safety and fair, accurate, inclusive and respectful (FAIR) education were the topics at an afternoon symposium for school district leaders held on January 9, 2014 at the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE).

About 85 school district officials were in attendance to hear from Assembly member Rich Gordon, San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Anne Campbell, a panel of high school students and a panel of experts, as well as to learn about two new pieces of legislation, AB 1266 and SB 48, and their implications for students and schools.

A panel of experts from the County Counsel's office, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Our Family Coalition and the GSA Network addressed the crowd.

Superintendent Campbell welcomed the crowd and laid out the agenda, noting that both the personal and policy implications would be addressed as part of the seminar. She noted that the day's symposium was a "perfect fit" with SMCOE's Respect 24/7countywide initiative with its focus on anti-bullying and civility.

Assemblyman Rich Gordon gave an overview of the two new pieces of legislation, and also spoke on a personal level about his own experience as a gay student and how in his day it wasn't safe to be open about who you are. He noted that although it's different today, there are still many challenges for LGBT students who are subjected to name calling and bullying, and a lack of family and community support. He cited the alarming statistics that LGBT students are three times more likely to report suicide ideation and two times less likely to finish high school.

Many in the audience agreed that the most powerful part of the symposium was hearing from the panel of three LGBT high school students, who talked about their personal experience and how schools could become a safe place for them. They noted that having a few supportive and understanding teachers who are knowledgeable about transgender issues and are willing to listen helped them in school, and how bullying needs to be acknowledged and dealt with in a serious manner.

Learn more about the symposium, and AB 1266 and SB 48 here

LCFF-LCAP Workshop Helps Districts With Planning and Implementation

On January 9, 2014, a capacity crowd of 106 superintendents, chief business officials, curriculum and education services leaders, and school board members representing all 23 school districts in San Mateo County came together at the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) for

Jannelle Kubinec of WestEd spoke about strategies for creating the LCAP in each school district.

the first of several workshops to begin the planning and implementation of the state's Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and the development of their Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP).

Speakers at the workshop included County Superintendent of Schools Anne Campbell; Deputy Superintendents Gary Waddell and Denise Porterfield; Brian Simmons, SMCOE Director of Accountability, Innovation and Results; and Jannelle Kubinec, Ginni Davis and Ann Hern of WestEd.

The overriding message of the day, according to Kubinec, is that this new funding formula is different and that it's going to be OK. Writing the LCAP plans will take time, she noted, while stressing the importance of involving a broad base of stakeholders in the development, and keeping the plans simple and transparent so that they can easily be communicated throughout the school district community. Her colleague Davis noted that LCFF is not a small change but rather a huge change to our funding model, and it's turning school districts upside down as well as causing the California Department of Education to take on a new role of support rather than compliance.

Superintendent Campbell also emphasized that SMCOE is here to support districts in this process. "We are sending you off on this journey," she said, "but not by yourselves."

LCFF is designed to improve student outcomes and give districts more local control of their budget. With the LCFF, each district will receive the same level of funding per student with adjustments according to grade level, plus supplemental funding based on the number of high-need students (low-income, English learners and foster youth). Each district will be required to have their LCAP in place before submitting their final budget to the state and will be held accountable for student performance. The LCAP must explain how dollars spent are serving high-needs students.

District officials had time during the workshop to work in district teams on their LCAP planning process as well as to share their strategies with other districts and SMCOE personnel. Future County Office workshops on February 3 and March 10 will help districts continue with their LCAP development.

Hillcrest Teacher Kaprive Provides

Daily Dose of Optimism

Aline Kaprive, special education teacher at Hillcrest, the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) Court School Program, unabashedly states that she puts her heart and soul into teaching in what she describes as "some of the toughest classrooms."

Her students in the juvenile justice system have special needs such as learning disabilities, emotional traumas and attention deficit disorder.

In addition, many have behavior problems,

Hillcrest teacher Aline Kaprive is the author of A Teacher's Daily Dose of Optimism.

felonies and misdemeanors. What keeps her going, she says, is her optimism, empathy and compassion, and taking time to take care of herself through exercise and practicing wellness. But throughout her 10 years as a teacher, she often wished that there was a self-help book designed for teachers that would provide inspiration and a go-to guide.

Now she's filled that gap with the recent publication of her book, A Teacher's Daily Dose of Optimism, and is spreading her message of encouragement to her fellow teachers. Written in a friendly, quick-read style, the book contains 185 brief, one- to-two-page passages (one for each day of the school year) that explain an emotional intelligence concept, how it applies to the classroom, how it affects her personally and an action to take that day. Topics cover a wide range from depression to optimism to classroom makeover to success.

In the optimism passage (#17), she states, "Always remember that teaching is the greatest act of optimism." For the action of the day she advises being optimistic for each moment by having a pleasant experience to look forward to or making a difference with one of your students.

"There are days that are tough and we all have our struggles," says Kaprive. "And I admit I am not Mrs. Optimistic every day." But she adds that she maintains her sanity through support from her co-workers and friends, reading inspirational passages, and finding balance in her life. "I practice smiling even when I am feeling grumpy," she notes.

Reaction to the book thus far has been overwhelmingly positive. And not just from teachers. Two of Kaprive's Hillcrest students saw the book in her classroom and asked if they could borrow it. After reading it they came back and said, "It's not just helpful for teachers. It's about life."

Kaprive will be hosting presentations on the book at the February 8 annual STEM conference at SMCOE, and on the same day at RAFT. Plans are also in the works for a webinar with Six Seconds, an emotional intelligence network. The book is also for sale on the Six Seconds website.

Check Us Out on Facebook

The San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) now has a page on Facebook. We'll be providing frequent upd facebook logo

ates on SMCOE events and education news of interest, adding groups of interest, and linking to other education organizations. Check us out and "like" us today on Facebook!

About the San Mateo County Office of Education

The San Mateo County Office of Education provides a variety of instructional, business and consulting services to the County's 23 public school districts, charter schools, the Community College District and County Office of Education staff.

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