Dear Judge Lavayen, Foreperson Olsen, and Grand Jury Members,*

R4

That the Santa Barbara County school districts and the Santa Barbara County Education Office work together to develop a common summative testing program to be adopted for all Santa Barbara County school districts for the 2022-23 school year. SBCEO response: LEAs within Santa Barbara County and the state of California are required to comply with annual state and federal testing requirements. All districts, charters, and the 1 ~ ° 7 The Honorable Gustavo Lavayen Pamela Olsen, Foreperson Grand Jury Members county education office will resume administering the Smarter Balanced Assessment in English/language arts and mathematics in grades 3-8 and 11 as part of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) this school year (2021-2022). The California Department of Education (CDE) will resume publishing those results next December on the California State Dashboard, after the Dashboard was suspended this year by Assembly Bill 130. SBCEO does not have the authority to determine local assessment requirements for districts. However, LEAs have the option to continue to administer additional summative assessments for planning and evaluation purposes and to base that choice on the needs of their local school communities.

R5

That Santa Barbara County Schools outline their plans to attain Federal and State grade level standards for math and English language arts. SBCEO response: LEAs began outlining their plans to mitigate the impact of lost learning time with the June 2021 adoption of their Expanded Learning Opportunity Grant plans. LEAs also outlined additional actions to implement evidenced-based practices to counter the effects of the pandemic on learning within the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER-III) plans, adopted at a public board meeting in October 2021 and reviewed and approved by SBCEO. Each year, every district prepares and submits a Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) to the County Superintendent of Schools for review and approval. SBCEO supports districts in the development of these plans, which require meaningful school community engagement and a public hearing prior to adoption. These plans include an annual update of the previous year's metrics, actions, services, and expenditures as well as the plan going forward to meet their goals. r -1 The Honorable Gustavo Lavayen Pamela Olsen, Foreperson Grand Jury Members SBCEO's Curriculum and Instruction Division continues to work with districts on the most effective, evidence-based practices to improve student learning. Additionally, SBCEO supports districts in monitoring progress and providing differentiated assistance and support in the alignment of existing required plans and the additional plans established by Assembly Bill 130.

R7

That the Santa Barbara County Education Office schedule a series of meetings prior to the 2022-23 school year with Santa Barbara County school districts to establish spending guidelines and review budgets' post-COVID relief funds to ensure that mitigation efforts continue. SBCEO response: SBCEO's School Business Advisory Services (SBAS) team works closely with school districts throughout the year on their budgets and fiscal planning. SBCEO also invites statewide presenters to discuss the governor's January proposed budget and May revised budget to support all districts in planning and preparing for the next fiscal year. We appreciate the Grand Jury's focus on Santa Barbara County's 70,000 students' health, safety, well-being, learning, and growth. Santa Barbara County schools are fully committed to supporting all students, and continue to partner with school districts, local agencies, and non- profit organizations to provide support to families and school communities. Sincerely, Dr. Susan Salcido Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools