2022 Merced County Schools Annual Education Report

YEAR IN REVIEW

ENGAGING INSTRUCTION

Classrooms in the Post-Isolation Era

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Hard Work, Dedication Lead to Student Success

The goal of this report is to share an overview of the progress and performance of Merced County schools with members of the community, like yourself, who find value in this knowledge and continue to hold education in Merced County to a high standard. This report also reflects the hard work and dedication of our teachers, students and staff, and demonstrates our commitment to ensure that every student is given the opportunity for success.

Our public schools in Merced County have long been known for serving a diverse population. One of our strengths as a community has always been the inclusion of new community members. My family and I noticed this ourselves when we made the transition to Merced County from Tulare County in 2007. Today, more than ever, we are a County whose diversity reflects many immigrant experiences, who have all benefited from a strong public school system. It continues to be our responsibility to keep our educational system strong so future generations of Merced County children benefit from a publicly funded school system.

This year’s report, which covers the 2021-22 school year, does an exceptional job of highlighting how both MCOE and school district staff work to ensure that our students have the best possible education. The Continuous Improvement team at MCOE delivers professional development to school districts across the county, and provides educators with the best tools and strategies that help foster achievement, innovation and critical thinking skills in students. MCOE’s content experts work with teachers in their classrooms where they model the way through coaching.

COVID-19 certainly created a new and challenging environment in which to teach and learn, but our staff and our students are rising to the challenge of overcoming learning loss and re-engaging in the kinds

of school programs that provide for a wellrounded student. We continue to work with public health officials to assess potential county-wide health concerns and will for the foreseeable future.

As you peruse this year’s report, you will see how MCOE programs support learning across the community from our youngest students to adults who seek to learn a new skill.

Thank you for your commitment to our schools, teachers, and most importantly, the students we serve.

Delhi, Dos Palos, Gustine, districts that include their

Le Grand Union High School District encompasses three elementary school districts

• Planada ESD

• Le Grand ESD

• Plainsburg ESD

Steve M. Tietjen, Ed.D. County Superintendent of Schools

Our staff and our students are rising to the challenge of overcoming learning loss and re-engaging in the kinds of school programs that provide for a well-rounded student.

MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS DISTRICTS

Merced County Board of Education

Role of School Board Trustees

Hilmar

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EA Look Back at Our Schools

Merced County schools were incorporated nearly 170 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.

ach of the 20 school districts in Merced County is governed by a board of locally elected trustees who ensure that school districts are responsive to the values, beliefs and priorities of their communities. School board members responsibilities include hiring and evaluating the superintendent, adopting district policies, approving Local Control and Accountability Plans, adopting and monitoring budgets, monitoring district performance and student achievement and actively listening to public comments. Merced

The 1860 census reported a population of 1,141 in Merced County, and in 1863, the County 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.

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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 58,000 TK-12th grade students with Steve M. Tietjen, Ed.D., serving as the 29th County Superintendent of Schools.

and Los Banos are unified school own high school and serve TK-12 students.

MERCED COUNTY FAST FACTS

Merced County is located in California’s Central Valley neighboring the Sierra Nevada foothills to the east and a mix of rural and urban counties to the west. An agricultural epicenter that is nearly 2,000 square miles, the county grossed $3.72 billion in agricultural commodities in 2021. Serving nearly 60,000 students in 20 school districts across Merced County, it is also home to California’s tenth research university, UC Merced.

107 SCHOOLS

59,066 STUDENTS

92% GRAD RATE

286,461* POPULATION

11.5% STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

76.8% SOCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGE STUDENTS

25.3%

ENGLISH LEARNER STUDENTS

2.6% HOMELESS STUDENTS AND FOSTER YOUTH

2,643 CREDENTIALED TEACHERS SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM

California’s accountability system is based on a multiple measures system that assesses how local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools are meeting the needs of their students. Performance on these measures is reported through the California School Dashboard. The most recent update to the Dashboard resets the previous baseline since some student testing was suspended or optional during the COVID-19 health crisis. To view information about your local school, visit caschooldashboard.org.

13,209 ** SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

$58,861 COUNTY MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

58.8% 4-YEAR AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE-GOING RATE (2019-20)

Student data for 2021-22 school year collected from California Department of Education.

* United States Census Bureau (2020)

**This reflects the number of Merced County school employees at any given time in 2022.

SCHOOLS BY TYPE

ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY

SCHOOL DISTRICT ENROLLMENT

Merced County’s 20 school districts and the county office of education serve a diverse population of students from transitional kindergarten through adults at 107 school sites across the region. PLANADA ELEMENTARY

FUNDING MERCED COUNTY

Education Funding Addresses Local Needs

The main source of funding for Merced County school districts is the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), which was enacted in 2013-14 to replace the previous K -12 finance system — a system that had been in existence for roughly 40 years. The LCFF works by allocating a base grant for each Average Daily Attendance (ADA) and a grade span adjustment is added to the base grant for TK-3 and 9-12 grades. Some districts may receive an additional 20% supplemental grant and 65% concentration grant per student for students with higher needs, including children in poverty, English learners and foster youth.

Included in the formula is a mix of local property taxes, education protection act funds and state aid. There are no school districts that are exclusively community funded in Merced County, which means funding comes directly from local property taxes and does not include state aid.

MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS BUDGET

*The 2022-23 school year is based on projections. Estimates are finalized at end of the school year based on daily attendance.

FORECAST

Expansion for Early Education

Governor Gavin Newsom submitted his 2023-24 state budget proposal in January, which includes increased funding for K-12 education, free school meals for every child and universal transitional kindergarten.

IMPROVING LONG TERM FISCAL STABILITY

The state budget propsal reflects $35.6 billion in total budgetary reserves. The reserves include: $22.4 billion in Proposition 2 Budget Stabilization Account (Rainy Day Fund) for fiscal emergencies; $8.5 billion in the Public School System Stabilization Account; $900 million in the Safety Net Reserve; and $3.8 billion in the state’s operating reserve.

The plan reflected in the Governor’s Budget to close the projected shortfall includes funding delays of $7.4 billion, reductions/pullbacks of $5.7 billion, funding shifts of $4.3 billion and trigger reductions of $3.9 billion.

PROPOSITION 98 –MINIMUM SCHOOL FUNDING

Proposition 98 guarantees minimum funding levels for K-12 schools and community colleges. The revised

estimates of General Fund revenues reduce the Proposition 98 guarantee. Proposition 98 funding for K-12 schools and community colleges for 2023-24 is $108.8 billion. This represents a decrease of approximately $1.5 billion relative to the 2022 Budget Act.

The proposal includes an 8.13% cost of living adjustment (COLA) to the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), as well as an 8.13% COLA to special education and all other programs outside the LCFF. The projected 2024-25 COLA is 3.54%.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

The budget proposal also includes

additional investments in early childhood. Building upon first-year investments, the budget includes $690 million to implement the second year of transitional kindergarten (TK) expansion. In addition, $165 million is proposed to support the second adult (certificated or classified) in each TK classroom to maintain the 12:1 ratio. Full implementation of universal TK is expected in 2025-26. The budget proposes $312.7 million Proposition 98 and $172.3 million non-Proposition 98 general fund to increase the State Preschool Program funding for students with disabilities, dual language learners, childhood mental health and an added adjustment for three-year olds.

PROPOSITION 28 SUPPORTS ARTS EDUCATION

Proposition 28 provides $900 million in funds to Local Educational Agencies, like MCOE, to support certificated and classified arts educators. The funds are not meant to replace existing arts programs, but instead complement them. School Districts can now plan for sustainable arts education at school sites.

ENGAGING CLASSROOMS

Creating Equitable Educational Systems through Ongoing Professional Development

Acore function of the county office of education is to provide support and professional development to educators. MCOE’s Continuous Improvement program works with teachers in their classrooms where they model the way through coaching and utilize data to inform decisions and best practices.

The Continuous Improvement team includes content experts in Mathematics, English Language Arts, Multilingual Language Development, Next Generation Science Standards, Visual and Performing Arts and Education Technology. The team also includes State and Federal Programs experts who provide support for school districts to comply with state and federal requirements.

The ultimate goal of this work is creating equitable educational systems that result in excellence for all learners.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

School districts see the benefit of hands-on professional development and have increased the number of schools, programs and days working with the Continuous Improvement team.

17 CONTENT COORDINATORS

20 GRANTS SUPPORTED

115 SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS SERVED

1,586 DAYS IN THE CLASSROOM

ENGAGING CLASSROOMS

Coaching Model and Layers of Support

The majority of Continuous Improvement work is providing professional learning to teachers through a coaching model. Content experts provide on-site professional development to teachers, who are the first and most important layer in student success. After on-site professional development, content experts support implementation of instructional strategies through in-class coaching and demonstrations. This coaching model helps to reduce what is often called the Knowing-Doing Gap. Teachers are more likely to implement strategies – and implement them with quality – when their learning through application is supported in the classroom. The next most influential layer within the system is the educational leadership at the school site level. Content experts help to build the capacity of instructional leaders through engaging in activities such as classroom walkthroughs or providing professional learning to administrators in order to help them understand the instructional shifts that teachers are asked to implement in the classroom. Just as it is important for teachers to provide feedback to students, it is equally important that leadership provides feedback to teachers in a constructive manner that will lead to a change or improvement in their instructional practices.

STATE AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS

The Continuous Improvement team includes State and Federal Programs experts who support the outer layers of the school and district system, which includes the school district office and school board members. At the most general level, this includes providing technical assistance to school districts in meeting requirements for state and federal compliance, such as Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) development and approval.

Number Talks (Math) Language fluency routines that help students communicate about mathematics while building understanding in mental math. These routines also support speed, accuracy, flexibility and the use of multiple strategies.

SUPPORTING THE WHOLE CHILD

Perfect Quiz Protocol

(Math) A method for assessment student learning that embeds individualized verbal feedback and support to students. All students can leave the class period with a completely correct quiz.

Building Thinking Classrooms (Math)

A “flipped” classroom designed for students to drive instruction while the teacher is a facilitator of learning. Students collaboratively work through progressively more challenging problems while building skills and confidence.

Visual Thinking Strategies

(Art) A responsive teaching practice and facilitation method that fosters collaborative and inclusive community building dialogue between students.

A whole child approach to education prioritizes the full scope of child development, including social, emotional, cognitive and academic, as well as physical and mental health. In order to reach their full potential, students need access to safe and welcoming learning environments and rich learning experiences.

Educators utilize different strategies to achieve literacy in content areas and the color-coded icons on this page represent the various areas these strategies help to address.

Literacy

Confident, problem-posers and problem-solvers

Equitable Assessment

Feedback and intervention to improve achievement

Student-Centered Instruction

Meaningful discourse to promote conceptual understanding, fluency and problem-solving

Mindset & Culture

All students can learn, mistakes are normalized

Material Needs

Teacher content knowledge, essential standards and curriculum

School and District Planning Support (State and Federal) Technical assistance in writing School Plans and District Plans supports all Merced County Schools to best utilize local, state and federal funding to meet the unique needs of their students and communities.

Notice-Wonder-Remind (Science) An academic language strategy that supports focused observations, studentcentered instruction through questions and making connections to other learning or personal experiences.

GLAD Strategies (Literacy) A thematic approach to designing lessons with strategies that immerse students in rich language opportunities, supporting both English Language acquisition and content knowledge.

Digital Citizenship (Ed Tech) As users of technology, social media and consumers of the vast amount of information now available to us, students learn how to interact appropriately in a digital world.

TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN

All 4-Year-Olds Become Eligible For TK By 2025

To meet the early education needs of young children and their families, California has implemented a statewide initiative that expands Transitional Kindergarten (TK) to include younger children.

TK is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program, which is part of California’s K-12 public school system. As part of the expansion, the new initiative will phase in California’s four-year-olds, starting in 2022-23 and will reach full implementation by 2025-26.

MCOE’s Educational Services Department partners with MCOE Early Education and Merced County TK-8 grade school districts to ensure that equitable access to early education programs are available to all Merced County families. MCOE also provides professional development for teachers new to this age range.

By 2025-26, all four-year-old children can attend Transitional Kindergarten at no cost, regardless of income. For children to be eligible for TK, they must turn four by the time frames listed on the chart. Students must meet the same kindergarten immunizations requirements prior to the first day of TK.

There are 5,810 licensed child care slots in Merced County and 34,176 students ages 1 to 12 with parents in the workforce. There is availability for only 17%, if all of these children needed licensed child care.

EARLY EDUCATION SITES

TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTNER ELIGIBILITY

School Year Turns 5 Between

39 19 22

100 90

SMALL LIC ENS E FAMILY CHILD CARE

2022-23 Sept. 2 – Feb. 2

2023-24 Sept. 2 – April 2

LARGE LICENSE FAMILY CHILD CARE

STATE PRESCHOOLS HEAD START PRIVATE CENTERS

2024-25 Sept. 2 – June 2

2025-26 Turns 4 by Sept. 1

CAREER TRAINING

Successful Programs Prepare Students for the Workforce

The College and Career Department at MCOE supports students and adult learners through programs that target specific industries or job types and provides hands-on, practical training to equip individuals with the experience, knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the workforce.

The programs offered by College and Career provide flexible options for individuals who range from high school students and out-of-school youth to adults re-entering the workforce. These programs are valuable resources for individuals who want to strengthen their employability skills. For the 2021-22 school year, the Adult Regional Occupational Program (ROP) saw an 89% employment rate for individuals who completed the program.

EMPOWER PROGRAM STUDENTS 344

76%* EMPLOYMENT RATE OF PROGRAM COMPLETERS

PHOENIX PROJECT STUDENTS 90 64%* EMPLOYMENT RATE OF PROGRAM COMPLETERS

*ROP Adult Program only; not measured for high school program.

ROP PROGRAM (HIGH SCHOOL / ADULT)

STUDENTS

89%* EMPLOYMENT RATE OF PROGRAM COMPLETERS

1,539 815 ATTAINMENT OF INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CREDENTIAL

309 COLLEGE UNITS EARNED

CAMP GREEN MEADOWS

New Staff and Facilities Will Support Current Generation of Students and Beyond

For generations, Camp Green Meadows (CGM) Outdoor School has provided students with hands-on learning experiences through camping, hiking and other naturebased learning experiences.

CGM was one of the first outdoor schools to welcome students back in 2021 for overnight experiences and worked closely with the local health department to make it happen. Since reopening, the outdoor school has made several improvements to facilities and programs to create a safer and more engaging learning environment for visiting students.

The improvements help provide students with unique and valuable learning experiences outside of the classroom and help Camp Green Meadows gain interest from surrounding counties.

CAMP GREEN MEADOWS UPDATES

• First overnight experiences since shutdown

• Completely remodeled student cabins

• Campus tree cleanup and maintenance

• Completed new Nurse’s Station

The Nature Center at Camp Green Meadows was dedicated to longtime Merced County Education Foundation supporters Rob and Andrea Baptie.

SPECIAL EDUCATION Serving Students of

All Abilities

Students with special needs require a different level of care and education than traditional students. MCOE has served these students for decades in classrooms across Merced County and at the specialized Schelby School near Livingston, which solely serves students with special needs.

MCOE’s Special Education Program cares for more than 7,000 students with moderate to severe needs from birth through age 21 in all 20 school districts and other sites.

In Merced County, all 20 school districts are part of the Merced County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). MCOE houses the SELPA office and acts as the administrative head of the consortium. The governance of the SELPA is vested in the Superintendent’s Board of Directors committee composed of superintendents from local school districts and by the County Superintendent of Schools.

MCOE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

OFFERED TO ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS

• Occupational Therapy

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

• Adapted Physical Education

• Orthopedically Impaired Services

• Visually Impaired Services

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES

• Schelby School

– Schelby Olympics

– School Prom

• Athletic Challenges at Delhi Educational Park

• Promotion Ceremonies

• Wired Café

• Sierra Program

• Easter Egg Hunt

• Merced County

Fair Day

• Knights of Columbus Fundraisers

• Challenged Family Resource Center Holiday Event

• Elks Lodge

Thanksgiving Lunch

MERCED COUNTY STUDENT EVENTS

Extracurricular Activities Increase and Cultivate Critical Teambuilding Thinking

Students in Merced County have the opportunity to participate in a variety of countywide events that enrich their learning experience and cater to their individual interests. Academic competitions like the Merced County Spelling Bee, STEM Fair and History Day, give students a platform to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in specific subjects, while creative competitions like Poetry Out Loud and Writing Festival allow students to express themselves artistically and showcase their talents.

Additional events include the Merced Symphony Association Children’s Concert and Children’s Opera, which present students with valuable musical experiences they would not otherwise have access to. Student events play a crucial role in the educational experience and give all students equal access to opportunities to learn and connect with others.

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Students Gain Confidence and Leadership Skills Through Arts

Supported by the Merced County Education Foundation, Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) at MCOE guides students on a journey of self discovery and cultural awareness through creative theater performances and visual art.

MCOE partners with Merced Symphony Association and Merced Multicultural Arts Center, among others, to encourage students to explore music, theater, painting and more. Through these mediums, students develop an appreciation for the arts, its history and cultural significance.

The Merced County Education Foundation also supports outdoor education, college and career readiness and STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) education.

STAFF & EDUCATOR RECOGNITION

Celebrating Education Staff Across Merced County

MCOE recognizes the dedication and hard work of staff through a variety of means. Whether it’s formal recognition and awards, regular opportunities for professional development and growth, or simply by fostering a culture of appreciation and support, MCOE is committed to recognizing the contributions made by staff for their exceptional service to the students, families and communities of Merced County.

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

Congratulations to Merced County Teacher, Administrator and School Employee of the Year

The Merced County Excellence in Education Awards program began in 2006 from a partnership between Merced County Office of Education and Educational Employees Credit Union. The program celebrates some of Merced County’s top teachers, administrators and school employees in all fields of education ranging from alternative or special education to facilities and human resources, among others.

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

Diana Dietz is a principal at Mitchell Senior Elementary School. She began her principalship just before the statewide shut down in 2020. Despite the obstacles, she helped lead her school to become one of the California Schools to Watch.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

April Amaral is an independent studies teacher at Merced Scholars Charter School. She believes that education is much more than grades — education is about having a heart for the profession and making a positive difference in all aspects of a student’s life.

SCHOOL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Mandie Onate is a student services secretary at Livingston High School. In all her years working at the school, she has established a reputation for herself as “Mrs. Reliable.” Anyone who enters her office feels welcome and knows they will get the help they need.

VIRGINIA SMITH TRUST

Land Development and Scholarship Expansion, the Future of the VST

The Virginia Smith Trust (VST) is an endowment established from the will of Virginia Smith, a Merced native who declared that the land, which supported her family for more than a century, be used to generate scholarships for “worthy, deserving and needy students” of Merced.

The VST and land associated with it, played a vital role in the University of California Regents selecting Merced as the home of the tenth UC campus and has generated nearly $6 million scholarships for students since its inception in 1975.

The 2021-22 school year saw the largest growth in scholarships to date, with 83 awarded scholarships, 17 of which included honors scholarships valued at $20,000 over four years, and 197 grants valued at $500 to high school seniors who qualify for a four-year college. Between both awards the VST committed $590,000 to Merced students, with plans to expand scholarship eligibility to all students in Merced County.

The project to further develop VST land, and establish a University Community, continues to move forward. The development will generate more revenue for scholarships and create housing for all income levels as well as property for future schools, parks and public safety institutions.

2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR

$590K AWARDED

GRANTS 197

SCHOLARSHIPS 83

Development of the University Community on VST land will help fund scholarships for generations to come.

MCOE DEPARTMENTS

Merced County Office of Education has six departments that provide educational support and resources to Merced County’s 20 school districts. Department responsibilities include oversight of curriculum and instruction, career and alternative education, business services, early child care and education, technology, migrant education, special education and teacher credentialing, among others.

The Superintendent’s department oversees the overall operations of MCOE and ensures that all departments and programs run effectively and efficiently; Business Services handles financial management, budgeting among other business-related tasks for MCOE and surrounding school districts; Human Resources manages employee recruitment, benefits, payroll and more; Special Education is responsible for providing services to students with disabilities, including individualized education plans and other necessary support; Educational Services manages a range of programs and resources to help improve student achievement which includes coordinating professional development opportunities for educators and managing educational programs for students

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The Merced County Board of Education consists of five members elected by voters in their trustee area. The four-year terms are staggered to allow for continuity. The board operates under the authority of the California Constitution, the State Legislature, California Education Code and the California State Board of Education. The trustees are responsible for adopting the annual County Office of Education Local Control and Accountability Plan and budget; adopting policies governing the operation of the board; and acting as the appeals board for student expulsions, interdistrict transfers, and charter school petitions.

Members of the Merced County Board of Education also serve as trustees for the Virginia Smith Trust.

while Early Education supports early childhood education programs, services for students and families, along with child care subsidies for families and providers. Each department plays a role to ensure that MCOE provides accessible and equitable education and support for students and educators throughout Merced County.

DENNIS HANKS TIM RAZZARI FRANK FAGUNDES AREA 1 AREA 2 AREA 3

GENEVA BRETT FRED HONORÉ AREA 5 AREA 4 CHAIRPERSON VICE CHAIRPERSON

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

JANET RILEY

FONG, ED.D.