2012 Merced County Schools Annual Education Report

MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS

ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

2 0 1 2

Proudly Sponsored By

www.mcoe.org/annualreport

MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D., County Superintendent of Schools

MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS SCHOOL DISTRICTS

HISTORY

Merced Union High School District encompasses 8 districts SNELLING-MERCED FALLS

TURLOCK

BALLICOCRESSEY

DELHI UNIFIED

HILMAR UNIFIED

MERCED RIVER

WINTON ELEMENTARY

LIVINGSTON UNION ELEENTARY

MERCED CITY ATWATER ELEMENTARY

PLANADA ELEMENTARY

MC SWAIN UNION ELEMENTARY

WEAVER UNION ELEMENTARY LE GRAND ELEMENTARY

GUSTINE UNIFIED

PLAINSBURG UNION ELEMENTARY EL NIDO ELEMENTARY

Le Grand Union High School District encompasses 3 districts LOS BANOS UNIFIED

DOS PALOSORO LOMA UNIFIED

Though still under construction, El Capitan High School is scheduled to open for the 2013-14 school year. The school will have no books or lockers and more than 100 wireless access points throughout the 58-acre campus. The central quad of the school is about the size of two football fields.

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Merced County schools were incorporated more than 150 years ago in 1856 when the first County Superintendent of Schools, William Nelson, petitioned the Board of Supervisors to divide the county into three school districts.

The 1860 census reported a population of 1,141 in Merced County and in 1863, the Schools Superintendent reported an enrollment of 267 children and a county schools budget of $1,000.

The first high school was established in 1895 with 27 students and two teachers under the administration of the County Board of Education. In 1897, a new high school was completed on the corner of 22nd and M Streets in Courthouse Square.

Today, there are 20 school districts with their own Boards of Trustees and Superintendents serving more than 56,000 K-12 students with Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D., serving as the 28th County Superintendent of Schools.

For more information about this report’s sponsors, see page 17.

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

I

am pleased to present the 2012 Merced County Schools Education Report.

MCOE CABINET Misty Key Assistant Superintendent Business Services

Eva Chavez Assistant Superintendent Human Resources

Holly Newlon Assistant Superintendent Career & Alternative Education

Dr. Steven E. Gomes County Superintendent of Schools

Susan Coston Assistant Superintendent Special Education

Dr. Kathy Pon Assistant Superintendent Instructional Services

Christie Hendricks Assistant Superintendent Early Education

The scale of K-12 education in Merced County is often times difficult to comprehend. More than 56,000 students from kindergarten through high school attend 114 schools in our county. Nearly 9,000 teachers and support staff work full or part-time in education providing classroom instruction, business services, transportation, meals, and clerical support.

Annually, the state and federal government spend more than $650 million on K-12 education in Merced County.

Salaries and benefits account for just over $320 million — monies spent in the local economy.

This report tells you something about our students, our schools, some of our achievements and challenges, and what taxpayers are getting for their investment.

Around 1950, America’s public schools began evolving from a place where students expanded their horizons and received enrichment to a place where the expectation is workplace preparation. An education became more important as the number of unskilled jobs diminished over the past five decades.

The expectation that all students must be able to compete in the global marketplace is a challenge. At the same time, public schools must offer high quality education to all students, without regard to their station in life, their heritage, or their innate ability. The doors of public schools are open to all children, without exception.

Merced County has gone through some tough times economically and socially. However, I remain optimistic about our future. I look at the growth in school enrollment this past year, the

beginning of new housing construction, the passage of Proposition 30, which averted drastic cuts to schools and maintained current funding levels, and the economy beginning to show signs of recovery.

More than 50 percent of our high school graduates are entering higher education and now that UC Merced is a choice, perhaps students who earn a post-secondary degree will chose to stay in this region.

We want our college-educated students to find jobs here in Merced County and become the workforce that will bring businesses to Merced County.

As you will read in this report, an increasing percentage of Merced County students score proficient or advanced on state-mandated tests.

Given our fiscal and social challenges in the Valley, these gains are a tribute to Merced County’s students, teachers, administrators, parents, and communities.

Merced County’s educational community can be proud of the academic gains made in the past five years while recognizing there is a great deal of work ahead to reduce the dropout rate.

This report speaks to the Common Core State Standards and how they will enhance 21st Century learning.

Additionally, you will find information about the dual-immersion programs in the county, update on special education, individual school scores, and the challenges facing us each day.

In advance, I want to thank you for reading this report and gaining a greater understanding of Merced County education.

Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D. County Superintendent of Schools

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

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ABOUT OUR STUDENTS

F

or the 2011–12 school year, Merced County had 56,165 students enrolled in our public schools, which places us

just above the middle range of California’s 58 counties.

This is a decline of nearly 1,000 students since the 2007-08 school year. The decline in student population mirrored the mortgage crisis as families lost their homes and moved out of the area.

MERCED COUNTY STUDENT POPULATION

Some school funding is based on the number of students who attend a school and their average daily attendance (ADA).

NUMBER OF STUDENTS

As housing has begun to fill again in Merced County, there has been a slight rise in student population, particularly in the Los Banos and Weaver Union School Districts.

57,500 57,000

57,122

56,500

56,153

56,000

56,258

55,500 55,000

56,165 55,563

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

Source: California Dept. of Education

PERCENT OF STUDENTS ATTENDING COLLEGE

100

COLLEGE-GOING RATES

80 60 40

53 % 45 %

41 %

20

18 %

14 % 0

Merced

Stanislaus

Madera

Fresno

California

CALIFORNIA COUNTIES Source: California Postsecondary Education Commission

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This chart provides college-going rates for counties in California. College-going rates were calculated by dividing the number of entering students from public schools in the county by the total number of graduates from public schools in the county. All categories of public schools are covered including comprehensive schools, continuation schools and other categories of schools.

Data for higher education enrollment were obtained from each of the segments and includes all students — full-time, part-time, credit and non-credit.

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS STUDENT ETHNICITY 7%

9%

19%

Hispanic Asian White - Not of Hispanic Origin Black - Not of Hispanic Origin Other

26% 52%

3% 3% 68%

7% Hispanic Black - Not of Hispanic Origin

Asian Other

6%

White - Not of Hispanic Origin

MERCED COUNTY

CALIFORNIA Source: California Dept. of Education

California has the largest and most diverse student population in America. Statewide, about half a million students are in each grade level. To provide for their education, more than 300,000 teachers work in about 10,000 schools in about 1,000 school districts across the state.

In Merced County, there are about 2,500 teachers in 114 schools in 20 school districts.

SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS BY DISABILITY 10%

10%

16%

SpeciďŹ c Learning Disability Emotional Disturbance Speech or Language Impairment Autism Mental Retardation Other

9% 3%

14%

48%

MERCED COUNTY

24%

6%

15%

4%

41%

CALIFORNIA Source: California Dept. of Education

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

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ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS The Academic Performance Index (API) is a measurement of academic performance and

A - 2012 Growth API

progress of individual districts and schools in California. It is one of the main components of

B - 2011 Base API

the Public Schools Accountability Act passed by the California legislature in 1999. A numeric

C - Similar School Rankings

API score ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1,000. The California Department of Educa-

* Schools in shaded areas meet the CDE goal of an 800 or higher API score.

tion sets the API performance target for all schools at 800. An API score is calculated for all schools as well as each school district.

Schools Ada Givens Elementary Aileen Colburn Elementary Alicia Reyes Elementary Allan Peterson Elementary Atwater High Ballico Elementary Bellevue Elementary Bernhard Marks Elementary Bryant Middle Buhach Colony High Campus Park Elementary Cesar E. Chavez Middle Charles Wright Elementary Charleston Elementary Cressey Elementary Delhi High Don Stowell Elementary Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary Dos Palos Elementary Dos Palos High El Capitan Elementary El Nido Elementary Elim Elementary Elmer Wood Elementary Farmdale Elementary Frank Sparkes Elementary Franklin Elementary Golden Valley High Gustine Elementary Gustine High Gustine Middle Harmony Elementary Henry Miller Elementary Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle Herbert Hoover Middle Hilmar High Hilmar Middle Hopeton Elementary Joe Stefani John C. Fremont Charter

A

B

C

768 790 750 828 796 842 789 715 654 802 811 762 752 842 838* 736 727 854 761 700 799 804 809 833 805 830 820 780 745 707 776 802 700 815 727 783 771 805* 774 766

775 800 740 854 777 837 779 721 703 765 792 730 782 860 788* 726 745 853 754 656 805 816 813 824 790 808 787 769 742 731 758 786 693 810 731 771 796 891* 780 765

4 10 1 5 10 6 8 3 4 7 10 10 4 7 N/A 9 5 6 6 2 10 10 5 6 6 9 5 8 3 9 8 7 1 3 2 8 6 N/A 5 2

* School does not have large enough sample for accurate reading.

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Schools John Muir Elementary Le Grand Elementary Le Grand High Leontine Gracey Elementary Livingston High Livingston Middle Lorena Falasco Elementary Los Banos Elementary Los Banos High Los Banos Junior High Luther Burbank Elementary Margaret Sheehy Elementary McSwain Elementary Merced High Merced Scholars Charter Merquin Elementary Mitchell Elementary Mitchell Intermediate Pacheco High Peggy Heller Elementary Pioneer Elementary Plainsburg Union Elementary Planada Elementary R. M. Miano Elementary Romero Elementary Rudolph Rivera Middle Schendel Elementary Selma Herndon Elementary Shaffer Elementary Snelling-Merced Falls Elementary Sybil N. Crookham Elementary Tenaya Middle Thomas Olaeta Elementary Volta Elementary Washington Elementary Weaver Middle Westside Union Elementary Winfield Elementary Winton Middle Yamato Colony Elementary

A 796 743 672 724 787 760 800 788 775 733 777 781 874 799 755* 716* 841 801 738 854 826 834 813 796 676 745 814 829 834 835* 783 715 849 830 739* 786 807 748 770 812

B 789 764 707 692 775 743 788 788 769 732 728 771 863 799 750* 700 825 784 738 851 823 842 770 791 713 759 814 815 802 823* 783 713 830 827 768* 778 791 760 804 774

C 7 7 7 1 9 8 5 6 6 2 2 3 7 10 N/A 2 9 8 3 8 8 7 9 7 3 4 10 9 8 N/A 9 5 8 5 N/A 9 8 8 10 5

Source: California Dept. of Education

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

HOW ARE WE DOING? ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE INDEX 2007-12 790 780

API SCORES

770 760 750 740 730 720 710

SIMILAR SCHOOL RANKINGS Student and school characteristics

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Source: California Dept. of Education

CALIFORNIA

MERCED COUNTY

can have a significant influence on a school’s API. Research points to

PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT DEFINED

characteristics like a student’s par-

When the U.S. Congress reauthorized the Elementary and

ent education level, socioeconomic

Secondary Education Act (ESEA), better known as the No Child

level, and a language other than En-

Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001, it established an Adequate Yearly

glish spoken at home. The Califor-

Progress (AYP) for setting annual academic performance goals for

nia Department of Education uses

districts and schools. AYP performance goals are the percent of

14 student and school characteristics to group 100 similar school districts, based on their API scores,

students achieving proficient or advanced on state-mandated tests.

NCLB requires that schools receiving Title I funds increase the number of students attaining proficient each year. Since 2002, the required percent of proficient students has increased, and by 2014,

into 10 deciles called Similar Schools

100 percent of the students in all districts, schools, and numerically

Rankings. A school’s Similar Schools

significant subgroups are expected to perform at the proficient lev-

Ranking compares its API to the API

el or above on statewide tests. “Program Improvement” is a label

scores of 99 other schools of the

given to schools not meeting the AYP targets. By 2014, nearly ev-

same type with similar student and

ery Title I school in California will be designated Program Improve-

school characteristics. Schools are ranked into 10 categories of equal size, called deciles, with 10 being the highest rank and one being the low-

ment. Most reasonable people would consider a 100 percent achievement to be unrealistic. Additionally, the ESEA is overdue for reauthorization and most expect Congress to change the way it measures student achievement. For these reasons, this report will not use AYP in the discussion of student academic success.

est rank.

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

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VIRGINIA SMITH SCHOLARSHIP

T

he Virginia Smith Trust is administered by the Merced County Board of Education, sitting as the Trustees for the

testamentary trust of Virginia Smith, a former resident of Merced. Scholarships are awarded by a committee of Trustees based on the application presented.

Virginia Smith left Merced when she was a young teen but retained strong ties and pleasant memories of her home town. Memories so enduring that in her will she provided for the formation of the Virginia Smith Trust with the intent to offer scholarships to deserving students who attended high schools in the city of Merced.

Virginia Smith bequeathed her 7,000 acre estate to the Merced County Board of Education to establish a trust that would provide college scholarships to area youth. The Trust leased the land for 27 years and used the earnings from rent for awarding scholarships. Beginning in 1995, the Trust operated the Merced Hills Golf Club on 197 acres of the land. In the spring of 2002 the ranch and the golf course were sold to the University of California. The golf course site is now the tenth campus of the UC system — UC Merced, opened for classes on September 6, 2005.

The Trust is still in the land business, as the Trustees have joined with the UC Merced in development of 1,240 acres immediately south of the UC Merced campus. Planning is about to begin for the community, which may provide shops, housing, schools, a future business park and more. Earnings from the development will fund future Virginia Smith Scholarships.

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Virginia Smith

VIRGINIA SMITH SCHOLARSHIP First year of awards:

1976-1977

Scholarships Awarded:

$3,560,976

Students Awarded:

3,443

2012-13 Students:

28

Amount:

$82,167 2011-12

Students:

29

Amount:

$69,166

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

STUDENT OUTCOMES

I

n order for students to compete in any job market, they must have the skills, motivation and a high school diploma.

The decision to drop out of school does not happen overnight; it can come after years of frustration and failure. Often, those that drop out have run out of motivation and have no source of support or encouragement in school or at home.

Once students make the decision to drop out, they lack the tools to compete in today’s society and diminish their chances for greater success in the future.

UC Merced student Patricia Paredes, surrounded by school and government officials, speaks at a press conference about Merced County Project 10%.

WHY DO STUDENTS DROP OUT? • Too many absences • Thought it would be easier to get GED • Received poor grades/failing school Merced County Project 10% is a first-of-its-kind initiative to put a UC Merced student into every middle school beginning next school year to discuss the importance of high school graduation.

A group of community leaders met with UC Merced students over the past year to create Merced County Project 10%. The program uses volunteer UC Merced students, many of whom have come from challenging backgrounds, to speak directly to middle school students about their personal experiences, the importance of high school graduation and how they were able to make the choices that enabled them to gain admission to a UC campus.

• Did not like school • Could not keep up with schoolwork • Became employed • Pregnancy • Could not complete course requirements • Could not get along with teachers • Could not work at same time Source: Center for Mental Health in Schools at UCLA

To date, Merced County Project 10% has presented to more than 2,600 Merced County students with a volunteer base of 35 UC Merced students.

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

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EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS MERCED RIVER HABITAT RESTORATION Students at the rural school in the Snelling-Merced Falls Union Elementary School District are helping to make life a little easier for fish in the Merced River. As part of a multiyear habitat restoration known as the Merced River Corridor Restoration Plan, the students have been working with Cramer Fish Sciences on an overhaul of the Merced River near Snelling. The most recent stage of the restoration has students planting trees on the bank of the river. The goal is to make the area more sustainable for the local inhabitants while teaching the students about the plants and animals that live in and near the river.

SCHOOLS GO GREEN The Planada Elementary School District went solar in 2012 with a 314.6-kilowatt solar energy facility at Chavez Middle School and the 175-kilowatt plant at Planada Elementary School. The first school district in Merced County to go solar, it is part of a green initiative that includes using recycled tire materials for playground bedding and building community gardens at both schools. The district stands to save more than $1.22 million over the next 20 years. Other school districts that have or are implementing green initiatives in Merced County include: Atwater Elementary, Le Grand Union High, MCOE and Merced River.

JUNIOR ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES JAMS is open to 7th and 8th grade students in the Delhi Unified School District, with the cohort of students continuing on to Delhi High School through the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS), 9th-12th grade.

JAMS and AMS aims to increase the number of Delhi High School graduates completing admissions requirements to colleges and universities specializing in the medical professions and gaining degrees/certifications to enter the medical and health occupations workforce in the San Joaquin Valley, specifically Merced County.

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2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS In August 2010, 45 states adopted the same standards for English and math. These standards are called the Common Core State Standards. Having the same standards helps all students get a good education, even if they change schools or move to a different state. Merced County hosted a symposium in October for more than 350 educators from Merced, Madera, Fresno and Stanislaus counties to guide them on implementing common core standards for English-learners.

TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN Transitional kindergarten is the first year of a twoyear kindergarten experience for students who are born between September and December and provides California’s youngest public school-eligible children with a strong foundation for kindergarten readiness. The Kindergarten Readiness Act is a historic reform to kindergarten education and changes the kindergarten entry date in California from Dec. 2 to Sept. 1, so children enter kindergarten at age 5. Transitional kindergarten helps our youngest children have the best start possible for school with a program designed just for them.

DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION Dual Language Immersion is an educational approach that integrates English-dominant students and target language-dominant students for at least half of a school day, providing content literacy instruction in English and the target language. Research shows that students who participate in well-implemented Dual Language Immersion programs perform at or above grade level on district and state tests as well as achieve advanced levels of proficiency in two languages. Delhi, Livingston and Hilmar School districts have implemented these programs. At right, County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven E. Gomes is the Royal Reader for Maribel Mendoza’s first grade DLA class at Elim Elementary School in Hilmar.

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

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SCHOOL BUDGET

I

n November, California voters approved Proposition 30, a measure that increases the sales tax by a quarter-cent for four years and increases the per-

sonal income tax rate by up to 3 percent for income earners of $250,000 and above for seven years. The revenues are part of the state’s general fund budget and administered according to state law.

According to the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, there will be additional state tax revenues of about $6 billion annually from 2012–13 through 2016–17, 89 percent of which will go to K-12 education and 11 percent to community colleges. These monies will allow the state to begin to pay down the $10 billion debt to schools.

Schools like Cesar E. Chavez Middle School in Planada would have suffered if Proposition 30 would not have passed. It is estimated that Merced County schools would have $23 million less this year without the tax increase.

MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS BUDGET 2007-13

$ 470,000,000 $ 460,000,000 $ 450,000,000 $ 440,000,000 $ 430,000,000 $ 420,000,000 $ 410,000,000 $ 400,000,000 $ 390,000,000 $ 380,000,000 $ 370,000,000

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

Source: Merced County Office of Education

Totals include revenue limit, federal, other state and other local funding received through the general fund.

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2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

CHALLENGES IN EDUCATION

A

n ongoing problem in Merced County — and throughout the nation — is the academ-

ic achievement gap. This is a persistent disparity on educational achievement, among other measures, between the performance of groups of students, especially groups defined by gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Access to high-quality educational experiences should be the right of every student in Merced County and it is the responsibility of all educators to work together toward that end.

The achievement gap can be observed on a variety of measures, including standardized test scores, grade point average, dropout rates and college-enrollment and completion rates.

Educators throughout Merced County and the state have made closing the achievement gap a top priority and strongly believe that making schools work for all students, regardless of their background, condition, or circumstances, is an imperative for a strong educational system and a strong community.

Through programs like the Merced County P-16 Education and Community Council, which focuses on college-going rates and linking career-technical and academic education, and with leadership and professional development throughout county schools, county schools are working to close the achievement gap.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS An English-language learner is a person who is learning the English language in addition to their native language.

Nearly 30 percent of Merced County students are considered English learners and nearly 90 percent of that subgroup speaks Spanish as a first language. English-language learners are required to take the California English Language Development Test (CELDT). This test helps schools identify students who need to improve their skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English.

Schools also give the test each year to students who are still learning English. MCOE supports English-language learners by providing teachers, parents and administrators multiple venues for collaboration, communication and networking in order to support and sustain leadership development, standards-based assessment, curriculum and instruction for K-12 students. In cooperation with districts and interagencies, the English Learners Services program develops and disseminates materials to support K-12 biliteracy and promotes student academic achievement through district, region and state professional development programs. In 2012, 19 of the 20 county school districts attended trainings at MCOE or contracted for services at their site.

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

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MCOE FOUNDATION VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

More than 60 students from grades 4-8 representing multiple school districts performed in four performances of “The Hobbit” during the summer. Instruction aligned to California Content Standards in Visual and Performing Arts, Language Ar ts and Physical Education.

The Merced County Office of Education (MCOE) Foundation was established to support programs and activities which maximize academic achievement and educational enrichment for students in Merced County.

The MCOE Foundation will strengthen and support collaborations and partnerships among the MCOE, businesses, foundations, agencies, organizations and families.

MCOE FOUNDATION SPONSORS SUPERINTENDENT’S CIRCLE Educational Employees Credit Union Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union

GOLD SPONSORS

Delta Kappa Gamma • Patti Kishi Fluetsch & Busby Insurance Felix Villanueva, Realty Executives

SILVER SPONSORS

Foundation for Medical Care of Tulare & Kings Counties, Inc. • Golden Valley Engineering & Surveying • Hoffman Electronic Systems • Mary Ellen Chavez Doug Fluetsch • Steve & Victoria Gomes Tinetti Realty Group David & Holly Zacharias

BRONZE SPONSORS

CVTech Computers • Delta Farms Trucking Inc. • Great Spaces USA

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Law Offices of Paul C. Lo Leap/Carpenter/Kemps Insurance Agency Merced Lao Family Community Inc. Office Depot • Quad Graphics Technicon Engineering Services, Inc Tesei Petroleum • TransCounty Title Co. Travis Credit Union • Evelyn Eagleton Frank & Michele Fagundes Kathryn E. Hanson • Jerry O’Banion Mr. & Mrs. Demitrios O. Tatum Rhonda Walton • James & Janell White

FOUNDATION FRIENDS

Atwater Police Activities League Central Valley Nephrology Medical Associates Inc. • Hoof Health • Merced Dairy Distribution dba Producers Dairy San Joaquin Drug • Slater’s Home Furnishing Kent & Barbara Christensen • Lori Gattuso Fred Honoré • Marie Janz • Elvira Lopez Lee Lor • Norma Mahurin Jennifer Mockus • Virginia & Ed Morford May T. Moua • Antonio G. Ortiz

Ann Peters • Nathan Quevedo Margaret Randolph Elizabeth Dooley & Thomas Williams

SUPPORTERS

AALRR • Couplabob Productions, Inc. Den-K Holsteins Inc. • Jose P. Castillo Farms Lifestyle Community Investment, LLC The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints • Harry & Lannette Boe Jolene & Ken Brown • Cindy Clark Frank & Yolanda Correia Margaret Fernandez Thomas & Kathleen Gray • Berklee Guinn Michelle Hernandez • Art Kamangar Terry Lane • Song Lee James & Marianne Levandusky Fred & Julie Mattern • Gerald & Gail McCoy Nicole Pistoresi-Tucker • Beverly Ryan Carolyn Wheeler • Randal Pettyjohn Mei Lau-Pettyjohn Sponsor list as of Feb. 14, 2013

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

MCOE FOUNDATION FOSTER YOUTH Approximately 40 foster youth had the opportunity to spend one week at Camp Green Meadows, Merced County Office of Education’s outdoor school located in Fish Camp near Yosemite National Park. They explored the outdoors and were exposed to many educational areas such as astronomy, archeology, culture and wildlife ecology. Equally important, they worked on team-building skills while enjoying themselves in both Yosemite National Park and the Sierra National Forest.

Join us as a sponsor of the MCOE Foundation to give all students opportunities to grow and become productive citizens in Merced County. All funds are spent directly on providing student activities.

Contact Lee Lor at (209) 381-6601 or at llor@mcoe.org.

Frequent changes of homes and schools have a detrimental effect on foster youth, especially their academic performance and future success. A large percentage of children placed in foster care experience physical and emotional trauma as a result of abuse, neglect, separation from family and thus lack a stable home. This summer camping experience provided foster youth in Merced County, grades six through eight, the opportunity to learn and build on their academics, social skills and self esteem.

AGRICULTURE The MCOE Foundation, in collaboration with the Merced County Farm Bureau, MCOE and the Merced City School District, provided all third grade students of the Merced City School District the opportunity to see where the food they eat comes from. The learning experience, held at the Merced County Fairgrounds, increased students’, teachers’ and chaperones’ awareness of locally-grown specialty crops produced in Merced County and taught children the importance of agriculture’s role in history, economics and health, while introducing them to healthy food choices. The MCOE Foundation plans to expand this event to include more than 3,800 third grade students countywide.

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

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INNOVATIVE APPROACHES MERCED COUNTY CHILD CARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT The Merced County Local Child Care and Development Planning Council serves as a public forum to plan for child care and development services, including early education, based on the needs of families within the local community. MCOE and the Merced County Board of Supervisors are responsible for appointing members to the 20-person Council. The Council is responsible for assessing child care needs, planning actions to improve child care and supporting the implementation of such actions. The Child Care Needs Assessment of Merced County was implemented as a collaborative effort by the Council, professional researchers, parents and guardians and other child care stakeholders. The needs assessment found that while the demand for child care outweighs the supply of facilities and services, there is a growing infrastructure of providers, support programs and initiatives working to reduce child care gaps and improve access, affordability and quality of child care. The assessment is available at www.mcoe.org/ee.

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

TEACHER INCENTIVE GRANT

The CS CORE iOS application contains the adopted Common Core State Standards in an easy-to-access format that is organized by content area, grade level, domain/strand, cluster and standard. The application was developed through the Instructional Services Department of MCOE in collaboration with member county offices of education in the California County Educational Technology Consortium.

Delhi Unified School District received funding to link earning to learning. The $8.1 million Teacher Incentive Fund federal grant saved jobs and will raise teachers’ pay. The district offers bonus pay and professional development for teachers based on classroom evaluation.

Delhi was the only California school district outside Los Angeles Unified to receive one of the 35 Teacher Incentive Fund grants nationwide.

ATWATER DRUG STORE PROJECT

Merced County Cal FIRE was one of nearly 20 organizations — ranging from law enforcement, schools, county agencies and health care organizations — that were on hand to teach students the danger of drugs at Atwater Elementary School District’s Drug Store Project.

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Nearly 600 sixth grade students in the Atwater Elementary School District had a sobering experience about making tough choices during an event at Mitchell Senior Elementary School. The Drug Store Project is a day-long event in which students are taken through a journey of vignettes, observing the potential consequences of drug use. Nearly 20 organizations — ranging from law enforcement, schools, county agencies and health care organizations — were on hand to teach students about the danger of drugs. The Drug Store Project was launched six years ago. Though sixth grade may seem early to impart these lessons on children, there is research that points to it as an appropriate age.

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

PARTNERS IN EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2012 Merced County Teacher of the Year Valentina Mascorro, a Los Banos Junior High math teacher, started the Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement program, known as MESA, in Los Banos in 2007. For the past seven years, the Educational Employees Credit Union has sponsored Teacher of the Year, which honors educators from throughout Merced County. In 2013, the event will open to classified staff as well as teachers.

Photo By Roger Wyan

IMATTER2 PROGRAM

BUSINESS-EDUCATION ALLIANCE

iMatter2 is a team approach to meeting the social, emotional and/or behavioral needs of students in the least restrictive environment. A collaboration among behavioral health specialists, board certified behavior analysts and behavior support specialists, the program provides school-based mental health support for students with an IEP that need intensive services and/or behavior support to ensure access to the education program.

The Merced County P-16 Education and Community Council along with the Business Education Alliance of Merced County (BEAM) develop strategies to better coordinate, integrate and provide career options for preschool through college students. The group keeps 21st Century Skills in the forefront: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity. The group will implement practices to help schools eliminate resource and opportunity gaps.

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS Stone & Youngberg, a Division of Stifel Nicolaus, is a leader in municipal finance in the West, with roots in California dating back to 1931.

Stifel Nicolaus & Company has been providing investment services nationally since 1890 and, today, remains one of the few independent, full-service, securities-related financial services firms in the country.

Educational Employees Credit Union is the 68th largest credit union in the U.S., the 13th largest in California, and the largest locally-based in the Central San Joaquin Valley. In 2012, membership grew to more than 200,000, and assets grew to more than $2 billion. EECU has branches in Fresno, Clovis, Hanford, Merced, Madera, Reedley, Selma and Visalia.

Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union was formed in 1954 by seven school employees. Since then, MSEFCU has grown into a full service financial institution with four branches located in Merced, Atwater and Los Banos. The field of membership consists of school employees in Merced and Mariposa Counties, including UC Merced and Merced College, MSEFCU and McClatchy Publishing Co. employees, high school students, UC Merced students and eligible Merced College students along with the immediate family of each group.

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

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MCOE DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS BUSINESS SERVICES

(209) 381-6736 • www.mcoe.org/business

The Business Services Department provides fiscal oversight and management services to MCOE and the 20 school districts in Merced County. This includes accounting, financial, information technology, purchasing, warehouse, print shop, grants, district services and payroll. Business Services provides financial, state, federal and attendance reporting in addition to accounts payable and receivables, payroll auditing and report processing. Information technology services provides services to MCOE programs and districts. School facility development and construction services work on 120 MCOE educational facilities throughout the county. Business Services also oversees maintenance and operation support for many county sites, including maintenance of fleet vehicles and warehousing and inventory services of standard school and office supplies.

(209) 381-6607 • www.mcoe.org/career

CAREER & ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION

The Career and Alternative Education Department provides a wide range of programs and services to school districts and adult education. Specific program areas include Camp Green Meadows, a week-long residential outdoor science and environmental education program for 5th and 6th grade students from schools throughout Central California; Merced Scholars Charter School, a home-school educational program providing middle and high school students a non-classroom based, personalized learning model of education; Regional Occupational Program (ROP), a variety of career-technical training courses offered to high school and adult students. ROP also takes responsibility for the operation of Career Centers at each high school campus; and Valley Community and Court Schools, a comprehensive education program serving at-risk K-12 students who learn best in a nontraditional path of education; the Empower and Youth Opportunity Programs along with Workforce Investment Act-funded youth programs prepare students for the workforce; and Cal-SOAP provides youth with information about postsecondary education and financial aid opportunities.

EARLY EDUCATION

(209) 381-6794 • www.mcoe.org/ee

The Early Education Department operates multiple programs that provide quality early education services to children, their families and the community. Programs include Head Start, Early Head Start, Child Care Resource and Referral services for child care providers and families, Child Care Subsidy Payment services, the California Preschool Instructional Network, the Family Resource Council and Parenting Center, Caring Kids, the Local Child Care and Development Planning Council, the Children’s Movement of Merced County and workforce development for early education professionals. The Early Education Department was recently awarded a $915,000 Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grant. The grant’s main goal is to provide an integrated approach to increasing the effectiveness of early learning professionals and the environments in which they work.

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MCOE took over Head Start, a federally-funded early education program, in Merced County in 2005. Currently, there are 16 Early Head Start and Head Start sites throughout Merced County that serve 1,260 students and their families.

2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

MCOE DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS HUMAN RESOURCES

(209) 381-6627 • www.mcoe.org/human

Human Resources staff administers the MCOE’s personnel activities. The staff help in recruiting and selecting employees, employment related counseling, maintaining employee records and negotiating, implementing and administering collective bargaining agreements for represented staff. Human Resources staff also coordinates compensation and benefits, and provides advice on credentialing to Merced County’s teachers and administrators. New this year to Human Resources is the North Valley Leadership Institute, which expands internal MCOE leadership development opportunities to a wider, regional audience.

INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES

(209) 381-6634 • www.mcoe.org/instruct Instructional Services is dedicated to services, researched-based practices and data-informed decision making to meet the challenges in education today. The ASSETS after school program, Merced Educational Television (METV), Migrant Education, Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) and Special Events, which operates the Academic Decathlon, Spelling Bees and many other special events, are all located in Instructional Services. The department also heads up the Merced County Seal of Multilingual Proficiency, which recognizes attained proficiency in English and at least one other world language by high school graduation. In 2012, the Instructional Services staff provided professional development on Common Core State Standards to 15 school districts and approximately 12,500 teachers.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

(209) 381-6711 • www.mcoe.org/special

Special Education provides a wide range of services for children and young adults with special needs. Ranging in age from newborn to 22 years, these young people need special education for disabilities. They are served in a variety of places: homes, local schools, and schools with specialized classes. Services are available to students residing in Merced County. Services include special classes for students with significant disabilities, the deaf and hard of hearing program, the emotional disturbance program, adaptive physical education services, occupational and physical therapy, the visually impaired program, the orthopedically impaired program, early start infant care, the early intervention autism program, speech and language development, nursing and health assistance, school psychologist and staff development.

The Merced County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) ensures that quality special education programs and services are available throughout the region. The SELPA provides staff development, information system technology and technical assistance, transition planning support, education related mental health services, among other services for special education students.

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2012 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT County Superintendent of Schools Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D

Merced County Office of Education 632 W. 13th Street, Merced CA 95341 • www.mcoe.org

County Board of Education Gloria Honey

Mary Ellen Chavez

MCOE MISSION

Evelyn Eagleton

Fred Honoré

David R. March

OVERARCHING STRATEGIC GOALS

• Annually, all staff will report improved communication, morale, trust, The mission of Merced County Office of Education, as and accountability within MCOE. the educational leader of the Central Valley and trusted • All clients will report that MCOE has provided innovative and high community partner, is to transform education and inspire quality programs that resulted in increased learning. personal, social, and academic achievement of students • Clients will report that MCOE has promoted a college-going culture through collaborative partnerships, accountable leadership and meaningful career pathways; that number of Merced County students enrolling and succeeding in institutions of higher education and innovative, high quality programs and services. increased annually.

MCOE Schools

School District

Superintendent

Phone

Atwater Valley Community School 1800 Matthews Ave., Atwater (209) 381-4550

Atwater ESD Ballico-Cressey ESD Delhi USD Dos Palos-Oro Loma JUSD El Nido ESD Gustine USD Hilmar USD Le Grand UESD Le Grand UHSD Livingston UESD Los Banos USD McSwain UESD Merced City SD Merced River UESD Merced COE Merced UHSD Plainsburg UESD Planada ESD Snelling-Merced Falls UESD Weaver USD Winton ESD

Melinda Hennes Bryan Ballenger Dr. Brian Stephens Dr. Brian Walker Rae Ann Jimenez Dr. Gail McWilliams Isabel Cabral-Johnson Rosina Hurtado Donna Alley Andres Zamora Dr. Steve Tietjen Stan Mollart Dr. RoseMary Parga-Duran Dr. Helio Brasil Dr. Steven E. Gomes Dr. Scott Scambray Kristi Kingston Jose Gonzalez Alison Kahl John Curry Randall Heller

357-6100 632-5371 656-2000 392-0200 385-8420 854-3784 667-6701 389-4515 389-9403 394-5400 826-3801 354-2700 385-6600 358-5679 381-6600 385-6400 389-4707 382-0756 563-6414 723-7606 357-6175

Los Banos Valley Community School 715 West H St., Los Banos (209) 827-5600 Merced Valley Community School 1850 Wardrobe Ave., Merced (209) 381-4501 Floyd A. Schelby School 6738 N. Sultana Drive, Livingston (209) 394-7420 Merced Scholars Charter School 808 W. 16th St., Merced (209) 381-5165 Green Meadows Outdoor School 77798 White Chief MT. Road, Fish Camp (559) 642-0122 Merced County Juvenile Court School 2840 W. Sandy Mush Rd. Merced (209) 381-1414 We welcome your questions, comments and feedback. Please email us at info@mcoe.org.

Content organization, photography and design by MCOE Public Information Officer Nathan Quevedo

Publication and Report Announcement Activities Proudly Sponsored By

www.mcoe.org/annualreport

MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D., County Superintendent of Schools