Monterey County Grand Jury
• 2014-2015
Education a “no Excuses” Approach to English Language Learning in Monterey County Photograph used with permission of
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 15 findings
F1
English Language Learners (ELL) in Monterey County perform far below the minimal ac- ademic standards established by the state and continue to be unprepared for college or the workplace, largely due to inadequate progress in learning English.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Work with school districts to create a set of ELL standards for use or reference in the de- velopment of districts’ LCAP, to make it easier for them to set and achieve ELL goals.
F2
Monterey County school districts have developed local control accountability plans (LCAP) that are producing uneven results in ELL academic achievement.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Act as a resource for small school districts located in rural, distant areas of South Mon- terey County in meeting and exploring how they can work together to make most efficient use of shared ELL and other resources.
F3
The training and support MCOE offers to school districts in development of their LCAP centers primarily on achieving compliance with state requirements and does not include working together to create quality standards or ELL strategies that can produce positive re- sults.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Establish a satellite office in South Monterey County to increase accessibility and commu- nication of County programs and services by September 2016.
F4
There is an important role for MCOE to play in regularly disseminating ELL best practices and sharing successful ELL strategies countywide.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Take on the role of compiling and disseminating successful ELL practices and perform- ance measurements around the County.
F5
There was no evidence to suggest that MCOE promotes two-way communication and a partnership approach with school districts that encourages sharing of information and re- sources or that solicits frank input about the needs of local English Language Learning programs from frontline educators and administrators.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Publish best practices and resources for all ELL stakeholder groups on the MCOE or other dedicated website by September 2016.
F6
Although the MCOE website contains a variety of information, it is completely lacking in English Language Learner resources and best practices.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Establish the regular practice of offering forums that bring together school district ELL personnel with their counterparts at other districts, so they can share information, explore solutions to similar problems, and share strategies and practices by January 2016.
F7
There was no evidence to suggest that MCOE or any other professional organization pro- vides opportunities for stakeholders (school boards, parents, students, staff, community members, etc.) to learn about their role and responsibilities in supporting the English Lan- guage Learner.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Sponsor and facilitate an annual stakeholder (i.e. representative parents, boards, students, administrators, support staff, etc.) “Summit” to help each group define its roles and re- sponsibilities that influence the English Language Learning process starting in September 2016.
F8
The workshops, trainings and special programs offered by MCOE are often not well sub- scribed by school districts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Adopt or develop an online program of professional development workshops to increase access for teachers unable to attend on-site classroom training by June 2017.
F9
The relatively few ELL professional development trainings that are offered by MCOE do not appear to be scheduled well enough in advance to allow for planning by school district personnel.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Begin a regular practice of soliciting input from all County school districts to determine professional development needs as a basis for creating an annual calendar of ELL educa- tional services, workshops, and activities by September 2015.
F10
It is very difficult for schools in southern parts of the county to take advantage of MCOE trainings, since most are offered at the Salinas location.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
Make a commitment to bring the best evidence-based state and national programs and ex- pert speakers on English Language Learning for County professional development activi- ties. 15
F11
MCOE does not offer online professional development programs/training or significant other alternative delivery systems to increase accessibility and participation. 14
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
Immediately fill the English Language Learning specialist position that has been recently vacated.
F12
Quality professional development provided by experienced ELL experts (generally not MCOE staff) and focused on proven evidenced-based methods was identified as a need by County school districts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R12
Establish an operational budget for the MCOE English Language Learning specialist to carry out the full scope of duties that support professional development, open communica- tion and cooperation among all County school districts by September 2015.
F13
MCOE has one specified position for an ELL Specialist that is currently vacant.
Related Recommendations (1)
R13
Hire a full-time grant writer to consistently identify grant opportunities and develop grant applications to raise additional funds in support of district ELL programs.
F14
There is no operational budget beyond salary for the activities listed in the MCOE ELL Specialist job description.
Related Recommendations (1)
R14
Benchmark and evaluate County ELL practices and services against practices used by other COEs that are successfully serving ELL stakeholders beyond state compliance re- quirements.
F15
No professional grant writer(s) is on staff at MCOE to offer expertise, guidance and sup- port to school districts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R15
Perform an organizational audit to determine optimal staffing levels at the Monterey County Office of Education that reflects the diminished scope of required COE services provided under the new Local Control Funding model.
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.