2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS
MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
MERCED COUNTY Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D. County Superintendent of Schools OFFICE OF EDUCATION
ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
Proudly Sponsored By
Bond Underwriters & Financial Advisors
MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS SCHOOL DISTRICTS Merced Union High School District encompasses 8 districts
DELHI UNIFIED
HILMAR UNIFIED
SNELLING-MERCED FALLS
BALLICOCRESSEY
TURLOCK
HISTORY
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
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 TK-12 students with Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D., serving as the 28th County Superintendent of Schools.
Atwater Valley Community School is the most eco-friendly K-12 campus in Merced County with photovoltaic panels on most awnings and solar tubing that provides light in all classrooms. The Gen7 modular buildings combine technology with renewable energy to reduce energy consumption by 70 percent.
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COVER PHOTOS: Clockwise from top left, Camp Green Meadows Principal Bob Bassett speaks during the outdoor school’s 50th anniversary; Early Head Start students help to plant a garden at Fairside Head Start; Hmong dancers perform at Lights On Afterschool in downtown Merced; and students at Ballico Elementary School participate in a group project in Joanna Conrado’s class.
2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
T
hank you for your interest in the 2014 Merced County Schools Annual Education Repor t.
MCOE CABINET Holly Newlon
Assistant Superintendent Career & Alternative Education
Christie Hendricks
Assistant Superintendent Early Education
Janet Riley
Assistant Superintendent Business Services
Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D.
County Superintendent of Schools
Eva Chavez
Assistant Superintendent Human Resources
Susan Coston
Assistant Superintendent Special Education
Kathy Pon, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent Instructional Services For more information about this report’s sponsors, see page 15.
There have been many innovations in education in the past several years. Today’s classroom may look different from the classrooms of our childhood with interactive whiteboards, students using their own tablet or laptop computers and some Merced County students collaborating with classrooms across the globe. However, one thing remains unchanged: Quality educators are there every day to deliver instruction and inspire our future workforce. Thanks to Proposition 30 and a recovering California economy, Merced County educators saw funding rise near 2008 levels. Merced County school districts did particularly well given the new state school funding formula. Each school district met with stakeholders to collaboratively develop a set of district goals and published their first Local Control and Accountability Plan. The plan is a living document and will be assessed and amended annually as priorities and goals change in the district. California has adopted more rigorous academic standards that emphasize not only subject knowledge, but also the critical thinking, analytical writing and problem-solving skills students need to be successful in college and career. The Smar ter Balanced assessments are new computer-based tests that measure student knowledge of California’s English language ar ts and mathematics standards. These new assessments replace the former paper-based, multiple-choice assessments for students in grades 3-8 and 11. The first statewide administration of these assessments will take place in spring 2015. Teachers across the county continue to transition towards becoming a facilitator of learning rather than a deliverer of knowledge. Students are learning how to collaborate, communicate, be creative and think critically.
Across the county’s classrooms, technology is consistent. Students in the Ballico-Cressey, Merced Union High School, Le Grand Union High School, and Planada school districts attend class with a tablet or laptop and teachers are using the technology to enhance instruction, making it more interesting and robust. These devices make learning anytime and anywhere a reality. This repor t will also show Atwater Elementary School District’s Drugstore Project designed to show students the harsh realities of alcohol and drug abuse and the introduction of Rachel’s Challenge to the county. This repor t highlights the vast diversity of services and instructional activities in Merced County. Learn about Hilmar’s Robotics program, the Abriendo Puer tas, special student events and the celebration of the Blue Ribbon School in the county. Merced County educators are looking at ways to bring more Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related courses into the curriculum in order to prepare students for those fields in higher education. Pre-K to 12th grade educational leaders understand the impor tance of transitioning an American educational system built on a manufacturing model to one that is flexible and based on achievement of standards: a system that has students working on real-world problems while learning STEM related subjects. Schools need to develop an environment that produces students who are creative and collaborative problem solvers. Most of the great advances in pharmaceuticals and technologies like smart phones originated from Americans. However, I believe if we as a country want to remain competitive, we must look at what we are teaching and how it is being taught. For tunately, Merced County schools are doing exactly that.
Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D. County Superintendent of Schools
2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
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OUR SCHOOLS, OUR STUDENTS STUDENT ENROLLMENT 57,500 57,000
56,773
56,500 56,000
55,975
56,156
56,349
56,461
55,500 55,000
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
* 2014-15
Source: California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) * 2014-15 enrollment is a projection
In the 2014-15 school year, there is a projected increase of 312 Transitional Kindergar ten (TK) through 12th grade students in county schools. The passage of Proposition 30 in 2012, an upturn in the California economy and changes in the educational funding structure has increased funding for school districts throughout California. There are 957 school districts, not including county offices of education, in the state with a budget of more than $47 billion in 2014.
MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS’ BUDGET 2009-15
$ 550,000,000 $ 525,000,000 $ 500,000,000 $ 475,000,000 $ 450,000,000 $ 425,000,000 $ 400,000,000 $ 375,000,000
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
Source: Merced County Office of Education
Totals include revenue limit, federal, state and other local funding received through the general fund. Does not include MCOE funding.
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2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
MERCED COUNTY STUDENTS STUDENT ETHNICITY 9%
6%
17%
Hispanic Asian White - Not of Hispanic Origin Black - Not of Hispanic Origin Other
25% 53%
3% 3% 70%
6% Hispanic Black - Not of Hispanic Origin
Asian Other
7%
White - Not of Hispanic Origin
MERCED COUNTY
CALIFORNIA Source: California Dept. of Education Data collected May, 2014
California has the largest and most diverse student population in America. The student population in Merced County is predominantly Hispanic, increasing to 70 percent in the 2013-14 school year. The new Local Control Funding Formula has increased funding for school districts that have greater needs, like those in Merced County. SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS BY DISABILITY 12%
15%
SpeciďŹ c Learning Disability Emotional Disturbance Speech or Language Impairment Autism Other Intellectual Disability
8% 3%
12%
11% 15% 3% 12% 9% 23% 49%
6%
(formerly Mental Retardation)
13%
49%
MERCED COUNTY
16% 3%
40%
CALIFORNIA Source: California Dept. of Education Data collected December, 2013
2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
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PATHWAYS TO HIGHER EDUCATION WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITY The 10th campus in the University of California system and the first American research university of the 21st century, UC Merced serves about 6,200 undergraduate and graduate students at the campus located nor th of Merced near Lake Yosemite. The campus significantly expands access to the UC system for students throughout the state, with a special mission to increase college-going rates among students in the San Joaquin Valley. UC Merced also contributes to the economic growth of Central California and has contributed about $1 billion to the region since its inception in 2000. Par t of UC Merced’s mission is to have a small impact on the environment and is the only American university with every building on campus environmentally cer tified. Students study in the Schools of Engineering, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences, Humanities and Ar ts, with planned Schools in Management and Medicine. UC Merced also makes its mark on local education by providing professional development programs for TK-12 teachers and administrators and educational oppor tunities for students who want to take summer classes. MERCED COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS GRADUATION RATES
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SCHOOL DISTRICT
GRADUATION RATE
Delhi Unified
89.30%
Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified
87.50%
Gustine Unified
91.30%
Hilmar Unified
90%
Le Grand Union High
88.70%
Los Banos Unified
89.50%
Merced Union High
92.90%
California Average
80.40%
Southern California
Central Valley Students by Geographic Region UC Merced Undergraduate Central Coast & Northern California
38% 27%
35%
Southern California Central Valley Central Coast & Northern California
Source: UC Merced Office of Institutional Research & Decision Suppor t
ABOVE38%STATE AVERAGE IN GRAD RATES 27%are at an all-time High school graduation rates across the country high at 81 percent, with California lagging slightly behind the national average. Merced County high schools are outpacing the state average by more than 10 percent in some districts with the Merced Union High School District — one of the largest in the county with more than 10,000 students — at the top with a 92.9 percent graduation rate. Programs like Merced County Project 10%, which you will read about on the next page, help to address the dropout rate, which is 10 percent in Merced County and 11.4 percent in California. 35% Merced County continues to improve graduation rates.
2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
PARTNERSHIPS & PROGRAMS PROJECT 10% Merced County Project 10% is a first-of-its-kind initiative to put a UC Merced student into every middle school to discuss the importance of high school graduation. The program is a partnership between MCOE, UC Merced and the Merced County District Attorney and utilizes volunteer UC Merced students to speak directly to middle school students about the importance of high school graduation. In 2014, MCOE contributed the use of a Ford Explorer and local attorney Carlos Fuentes donated a $1,500 toward gas to alleviate transportation issues and ensure the group could visit all middle school students.
EMPOWER & YOP The EMPOWER Program & Youth Opportunity Programs provides educational assistance and job training to youth, with EMPOWER focusing on ages 17-21 and YOP focusing on ages 16-18. EMPOWER par ticipants that do not have a high school diploma are provided with basic education skills to help obtain a GED or high school diploma. Both programs provide paid and unpaid work experience, employability skills training, leadership development and placement in post-secondary education. The goal of both programs is educational and career success for all par ticipants.
ABRIENDO PUERTAS Abriendo Puertas, which translates to Opening Doors, is an evidenced-based comprehensive educational program for Latino parents with children age 0-5. The program provides a 10-week course at each elementary school in Merced County to provide education and suppor t to help parents learn skills to feel more confident in their parenting and empowered to help their children succeed in school. Another component is to train school staff members along with parent volunteers to implement Abriendo Puer tas with families.
2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
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OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS RACHEL’S CHALLENGE The Atwater Elementary School District is the first Merced County district to par ticipate in the Rachel’s Challenge Program. Rachel’s Challenge is dedicated to creating safe, connected school environments. Based on the life and writing of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine tragedy in 1999, the program equips students with the kindness and compassion that transforms schools and the community.
BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL Frank Sparkes Elementary School in the Winton School District earned the distinction as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School, one of only 24 in California. The program recognizes schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Students and their families were treated to live music, a barbecue and dancing to celebrate the accolade.
VIRTUAL ENTERPRISE Vir tual Enterprise (VE) is an emerging course in high schools where students set up a simulated business. Students work with local businesses to determine the logistics of operating a business and engage in the daily operations of running that business. In December 2014, students from Dos Palos High School’s VE class competed at the annual California International Tradeshow, where they earned the top prize for Most Creative Booth for the group’s ice cream catering company, iScream.
ROBOTICS IN HILMAR Hilmar Middle School students enrolled in this yearlong course learn skills in robotics, coding and automation. Students learn to build and program robots to perform different tasks and gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience using sensors in a project-based environment. They also explore the history and uses of robotics and automation and investigate career oppor tunities in this field of technology.
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2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS PARENT INSTITUTE In 2014, MCOE, First 5 Merced County, The California Endowment, Between Friends/Entre Amigos and Merced County Human Services Agency hosted the first Merced County Parent Institute at Golden Valley High School. The Institute was aimed at parents, grandparents, guardians and caregivers to give them the tools to help with the impor tant role they play in the lives of their children. More than 400 parents attended the institute that had 70 exhibitors and 43 workshops in English, Hmong and Spanish. Keynote speakers were ABC 30 anchorwoman Graciela Moreno and Joseph I. Castro, President, California State University Fresno.
STEFANI GROUNDBREAKING School leaders and elected officials broke ground on a new special education building at Joe Stefani School in the Merced City School District, including State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, State Senator Anthony Cannella and State Assemblymember Adam Gray. The $1.9 million 5,600-square-foot special education facility at the school located in between Merced and Atwater is a joint effort between MCOE and MCSD and will serve up to 40 severely disabled special education students. Construction began in August and the building is scheduled to open in Spring 2015.
HEAD START GARDEN Fairside Head Start hosted a Fall Gardening Festival that focused on home gardens and giving families the tools to make healthier food choices. Thanks to a grant from the Merced Depar tment of Public Health, the Fairside Community Garden now has six new garden boxes fully functional with water efficient irrigation. These gardens provide an ongoing outdoor classroom that serves as a tool to integrate curriculum standards and food systems education. The Merced College Hor ticulture Depar tment along with the Merced County Human Services Agency’s All Dads Matter program also collaborated on the project.
2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
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MODERN CLASSROOMS
TECHNOLOGY in EDUCATI T
echnology is an increasingly impor tant component of the workplace and our day-to-d
to incorporate digital learning in the classroom. The new California Standards focus o
thinking and communication and collaboration skills, with an emphasis on emerging te
While school districts in Merced County and throughout the state and country have made tec par t of the classroom, it is impor tant to note that it is ultimately a tool utilized by teachers to
Left, a special education student at Floyd A. Schelby School near Livingston works on a digital interactive white board, which enables studen and make corrections themselves on the board. Right, early education students at Castle Early Head Start collaborate to solve problems o tools like this give students an opportunity to work in groups and promote critical thinking and creativity.
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2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
MODERN CLASSROOMS
Y ION
day lives, so it is vital
on critical and creative
echnology trends.
chnology an integral deliver instruction.
nts to work in front of the class on an iPad. Interactive technology
HOW LONG TO FILL UP THE TANK? The images to the left are steps from a video created by educator Dan Meyer and help illustrate how incorporating multimedia in a lesson promotes both critical and creative thinking. Students are given information about the size of the tank and the conversion from cubic centimeters to ounces. They are then asked how long they think it will take the tank to fill up, asked to guess as close as they can and to give answers they know are too high and too low. Lessons like these help to cultivate different thought processes. Using multimedia also gives students a visual representation of real-world problems and solutions. You can view the full lesson at mrmeyer.com/threeacts/water tank.
2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
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OUTDOOR EDUCATION
C
“Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.”
— John Muir
amp Green Meadows celebrated 50 years of outdoor education in 2014 and U.S. Congressman Jim Costa, joined Livingston Middle School students and Principal William Marroquin to celebrate the milestone in October at the outdoor school in Fish Camp. Located near the Wawona entrance to Yosemite National Park, Camp Green Meadows serves students from throughout California in single-day and weeklong outdoor school settings and functions as a recreation camp in the summer. It has served as the outdoor school for thousands of Merced County students. The camp is owned and operated by MCOE. After talking with students and staff, Costa gave brief remarks to the students and presented a congressional resolution to Green Meadows Principal Bob Bassett. “I speak to a lot of students throughout my district every year. I always tell them this: You are our future. You are going to continue to learn and we hope you do the very best you can. Guess what? If each and every one of you as adults do well, America does well. Our country does well,” Costa said. Outdoor Education star ted for Merced County students in 1951 with a group of nearly 70 sixth-graders from Planada and Le Grand attending an outdoor facility. As the program grew, MCOE sought a larger
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From left, former County Schools Superintendent William Stockard, former Green Meadows Principal Peter Linaeu, U.S. Congressman Jim Costa, Green Meadows Principal Bob Bassett and County Schools Superintendent Dr. Steven E. Gomes celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Jack L. Boyd Outdoor School at Camp Green Meadows in Fish Camp.
facility, and relocated to the San Francisco YMCA camp known as Jones Gulch near La Honda. Due to the rapid growth of the program, Outdoor Education Director Jack L. Boyd began searching for another site. Of several sites made available by the U.S. Forest Service, the site near Fish Camp was chosen due to the availability of electricity. It would take Boyd several years of working with the U.S. Forest Service, Merced County Board of Supervisors and school districts before the first school arrived at Green Meadows on May 1, 1964.
2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
CAMP GREEN MEADOW’S HISTORY
W
hile there were many roadblocks to the construction of Camp Green Meadows, it was volunteerism and a consistent commitment by Jack L. Boyd that ensured students had an outdoor school in the Sierra Nevada.
50 Years
Boyd and his family dedicated a great deal of time to Camp Green Meadows and ensuring students from Merced County and throughout California would have the benefit of an outdoor education. As you can see in the below timeline, Boyd lobbied for the parcel, surveyed the land, led fundraising effor ts and was instrumental in every aspect of the formation of the outdoor school. Thanks to his foresight and commitment to outdoor education, nearly 100,000 students have visited Camp Green Meadows and learned about the Sierra Nevada. Thank you to Jack L. Boyd and his family for the dedication and hard work that went into making outdoor education a reality!
Jack L. Boyd, who served as MCOE Outdoor Education Director and eventually retired in the Business Services Department, helped found Camp Green Meadows.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CAMP GREEN MEADOWS: 1955-1978 Jack L. Boyd hired as Director of Outdoor Education at MCOE
Boyd surveys and establishes property line, develops master plan, begins fundraising and works with Merced Kiwanis to start construction
A school from Hilmar is the first to visit Green Meadows and wake up to 18 inches of snow, which was quite a surprise
Merced County Superintendent of Schools granted fiscal independence of Green Meadows
1955
1956-1959
1964
1970
1956 Merced County Supervisors sign lease with U.S. Forest Service securing 25 acres for Green Meadows
1962 Several small buildings constructed, including school office; caretaker hired and appointed deputy sheriff for the area
1966
1978
Bing Crosby Foundation donates $10,000 for dining hall and Merced County Supervisors match the foundation with $10,000 donation
Jack L. Boyd retires, Green Meadows Outdoor School is named after him
2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
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EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS & PROGRAMS CAREER INDUSTRY DAY The Merced County Office of Education’s Regional Occupational Program hosts an annual Career Industry Day at the Merced County Fairgrounds that gives approximately 1,000 sophomores from Merced County high schools, and Chowchilla High School, the oppor tunity to explore career options in California’s 15 industry sectors. The largest career exploration event for high school students in the Central Valley, sectors of industry include agriculture, business and marketing, arts and communication, education, automotive transpor tation services and health care, among others. Pictured at left, State Assemblymember Adam Gray participated in the 2014 Career Industry Day.
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION For nearly a decade, the Merced County Office of Education and Educational Employees Credit Union have recognized Excellence in Education in Merced County. The program honors both teachers and other school employees. The 2014 winner of School Employee of the Year is MCOE’s Steve Ballard. Top honors for teaching went to Annie Delgado from the Merced Union High School District, who advanced to the state competition as a semi-finalist and was recognized at a gala in Sacramento in February, 2015.
ANNIE DELGADO Social Studies and AVID Instructor Teacher of the Year Merced Union High School District
STEVE BALLARD Maintenance Lead School Employee of the Year Merced County Office of Education
DRUG STORE PROJECT 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 that takes sixth grade students through a series of vignettes, observing the potential consequences of drug use. Organizations ranging from law enforcement, schools, county agencies and health care organizations were on hand to teach students about the danger of drugs. Though sixth grade may seem early to impar t these lessons on children, there is research that points to it as an appropriate age.
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2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS NORTH VALLEY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE The North Valley Leadership Institute is a leadership academy developed by MCOE for internal employees and external organizations that provides tools to better equip administrators and managers to become more effective leaders. Sessions include Leadership Challenge, employee engagement, having hard conversations, workplace diversity, leadership in practice, coaching employees, creating a successful team, sexual harassment training, and proper documentation for disciplinary action. Par ticipants can register for all nine sessions or an individual session. In the 2013-14 school year there were nearly 80 registered par ticipants from Merced County and the surrounding regions.
MCOE Leadership Facilitator Dr. Ozzy DeLuna assists schools districts with professional development for administrators, managers, academic coaches, teachers and district management staff to support, strengthen and reorganize organizational processes.
ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
Bond Underwriters & Financial Advisors
Stifel Nicolaus & Company is the leading underwriter of municipal bonds for California K-12 school districts, selling more school bond issues in 2014 than any other firm. We assist school districts with general obligation bonds (for district-wide elections and school facilities improvement districts), bond anticipation notes, certificates of participation and leases, community facilities district special tax bonds, tax and revenue anticipation notes and the refinancing and restructuring of previously-issued bonds.
Educational Employees Credit Union is the 70th largest credit union in the U.S., the 14th largest in California, and the largest locally-based credit union in the central San Joaquin Valley. As of December 31, 2014, the credit union had more than 235,000 members and over $2.2 billion in assets. EECU has branches in Fresno, Clovis, Hanford, Merced, Madera, Reedley, Selma and Visalia. Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union has proudly served our educational community for 61 years. Designed with you in mind, we’re a full service financial institution with a wide variety of products and services ranging from savings, checking and convenient electronic services to loans for just about any purpose. For your convenience we have four branches located in Merced, Atwater and Los Banos, or you can visit us online at www.mercedschoolcu.org. Headquar tered in Vacaville, Travis Credit Union is a not-for-profit, cooperative financial institution serving those who live or work in Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Napa, Contra Costa, Alameda, Sonoma, Colusa and Merced Counties. Currently, Travis Credit Union is the 13th largest credit union in California, with more than 163,000 members and over $2.3 billion in assets.
2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
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MERCED COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION
MC E Merced
County
Education
F O U N DAT I O N
T FOSTER YOUTH Frequent changes of homes and schools have a detrimental effect on foster youth, especially their academic performance and future success. For the third year, the MCE Foundation has assisted the Merced County Human Services Agency in sending Merced County middle school foster youth to spend one week at Camp Green Meadows. The MCE Foundation continues to provide experiences for foster youth to learn and build on their academics, social skills and self esteem.
he Merced County Education (MCE) Foundation supports programs and activities which maximize academic achievement and educational enrichment for students in Merced County. In 2014, more than 6,700 students countywide experienced some of their first enhanced learning opportunities through contributions supporting Camp Green Meadows, foster youth, agriculture education, STEM education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and visual and performing arts. The Merced County Education Foundation will shape the learning experiences of Merced County students and propel them into the race for industry leaders in education and economic development. Learn more about the Merced County Education Foundation and how you can help shape the learning experiences of Merced County students. Contact: Mrs. Lee Lor (209) 381-6602 • llor@mcoe.org • mcoe.org/foundation
STEM EDUCATION Advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning oppor tunities in Merced County capitalizes on existing resources while preparing students for their future with rewarding careers. Success in STEM education builds a regional workforce that is knowledgeable and highly skilled, which is required for improving our economy through business development. The MCE Foundation’s suppor t of STEM education includes the public char ter high school, Merced Area STEM School (MASS).
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2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
MERCED COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION CAMP GREEN MEADOWS
This artist rendering of a proposed building would replace the current structure, which has fallen into disrepair. The new building will be located in the center of the outdoor school and increase space for students with special abilities in addition to providing additional classrooms.
Camp Green Meadows, MCOE’s outdoor school, is an ideal place for outdoor education, offering experiences that build science knowledge and exploration of what is in our own backyard. More than 2,500 students attend each year, many of whom have never been to the real outdoors. The MCE Foundation will update technology and improve spaces for students with special abilities, add a badly needed nurse’s station and provide two additional classrooms for enhanced learning activities.
AGRICULTURE EDUCATION More than 3,000 Merced County third grade students learned where their food comes from, recognizing that the origin is their own community. They participated in activities that enhance learning focused on the importance of local agriculture’s role in history, economics and health. Activities like this help to plant seeds toward a healthier community by giving students information about healthy food habits and teaching them where our food comes from.
VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS Visual and performing ar ts activities increase students’ confidence and self esteem, encouraging them to express their thoughts and feelings. Through the Summer Performing Ar ts Program, more than 120 students learned all aspects of assembling a live stage play, gaining global, health and environmental awareness and valuable life skills that transfer to other subject areas. Through the MCE Foundation’s suppor t of visual and performing ar ts activities, more than 2,500 Merced County students enjoyed their first live orchestra.
2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
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MCOE DEPARTMENTS & PROGRAMS BUSINESS SERVICES
(209) 381-6736
The Business Services depar tment provides accounting, budgeting, information technology, purchasing and facility development, which includes construction services to various MCOE programs. Business Services also oversees maintenance and operation suppor t for many county sites, including maintenance of a large vehicle fleet. Additionally, business advisory, financial services, technology services and payroll processing services are provided to the 20 school districts in Merced County, as well as the responsibilities of fiscal oversight through the AB1200 process. With the advent of LCFF, the Business Depar tment, in conjunction with the Instructional Services Depar tment, has been directed by the State to review and approve the LCAP of the school districts within the county.
CAREER & ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION The Career and Alternative Education Depar tment operates schools and programs in service to students and school districts with the vision of Inspiring Students . . . Changing Lives! Merced Scholars Char ter School provides middle and high school students a non-classroom based, personalized learning model of education; Valley Community and Cour t Schools provides a comprehensive education program for at-risk TK-12 students who learn best in alternative programs; the Regional Occupational Program (ROP) provides career-technical training courses and services to high school and adult students; Foster Youth Services assists students, ages 4-21, who are placed in state licensed group homes and foster homes to improve academic achievement; the EMPOWER Program prepares students for college and career ; the Youth Oppor tunity Program (YOP) suppor ts students toward high school completion and college and career readiness;
EARLY EDUCATION
(209) 381-6607
and the California Student Oppor tunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) improves the flow of information about postsecondary education/financial aid, and raises achievement levels of targeted students through collegiate academies established on high school campuses.
(209) 381-6794
The Early Education Depar tment provides leadership and operates multiple programs to ensure quality early education services to our community. Programs include Early Head Star t, Head Star t and the Early Head Star t Child Care Par tnership grant, Child Care Resource and Referral services for accessing licensed child care, Child Care Subsidy Payment services, the California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN), the Family Resource Council and Parenting Center, Caring Kids, Abriendo Puer tas, the Local Child Care and Development Planning Council, and workforce development services for early education professionals and the Preschools SHINE program which focuses on decreasing childhood obesity. The Early Education Depar tment also implements the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grant called Quality Counts! In Merced County.
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2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
MCOE DEPARTMENTS & PROGRAMS HUMAN RESOURCES
(209) 381-6627
Human Resources staff administers personnel functions for more than 1,300 Merced County Office of Education employees. These functions include employee recruitment and selection, employment related counseling, leadership development, workers compensation, health benefits, maintenance of employment records as well as negotiating, implementing and administering collective bargaining agreements for represented staff. Human Resources staff also coordinates compensation and benefits for internal staff. The Human Resources department provides fingerprinting services, credentialing advice and credential monitoring for all school districts in Merced County. In addition, the department maintains the countywide substitute teacher list.
INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES
(209) 381-6634 Instructional Services delivers support services based on researched-based practices and data-informed decision making to meet the ongoing challenges of Common Core State Standards implementation, and preparation for a new assessment system. Instructional Services operates ASSETS after school program, Camp Green Meadows Outdoor Education, Merced Educational Television (METV), Migrant Education, ADMIN KEYS Tier II Credential Program, Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) and Special Events, which operates the Academic Decathlon among many other events. The department also leads the Merced County’s Seal of Multilingual Proficiency and oversees approval of district Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP). Instructional Services continues to offer professional development and technical assistance to all 20 school districts, bringing experts and best practices to the field to support Merced County educators.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
(209) 381-6711
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 that reside 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.
2014 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
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2014 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
Chris Chavez
MCOE MISSION
Dennis Hanks
Fred Honoré
Tom Bates
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 through collaborative partnerships, accountable leaderculture and meaningful career pathways; the number of Merced County students enrolling and succeeding in institutions of higher ship and innovative, high quality programs and services. education 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
Sandra Schiber, Ed.D. Bryan Ballenger Adolfo Melara Brian Walker, Ed.D. Rae Ann Jimenez Ronald Estes, Ed.D. Isabel Cabral-Johnson Rosina Hur tado Donna Alley Andres Zamora Steve Tietjen, Ed.D. Stan Mollart RoseMary Parga-Duran, Ed.D. Helio Brasil, Ed.D. Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D. Scott Scambray, Ed.D. Kristi Kingston Jose Gonzalez Alison Kahl John Curry Randall Heller
357-6100 632-5371 656-2000 392-0200 385-8420 854-3784 667-5701 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 Dr., Livingston (209) 394-7420 Merced Scholars Charter School 808 W. 16th St., Merced (209) 381-5165 Green Meadows Outdoor School 77798 White Chief MT. Rd., 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
Bond Underwriters & Financial Advisors MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D., County Superintendent of Schools