Santa Barbara County Grand Jury
• 2020-2021
• Agency Response
Trustees Superintendent Susie Durbiano Dr. Steve Seaford Bradley Hollister Principal Andreas Pyper John Winckler Lisa*
⚠️ 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 9 findings
F1
In-person learning is more effective than remote learning both academically and emotionally. SES response: Agree. When comparing like cohorts from 2019 to 2021, some groups' SBAC results improved. When speaking to the nature of learning, e.g, progressive vs. traditional instruction, in-person is more conducive to the former, which for many students is more engaging and meaningful.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
For student achievement, especially for low performing students, in-person learning in small classes or small groups is preferable to larger classrooms. SES response: Disagree partially. If in-person instruction in small classes doesn't take into consideration student-achievement data and is focused on memorization, the effects are similar.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Remote learning exposed the importance of outreach efforts to provide coaching to parents on creating a positive home learning environment. SES response: Agree. DISTINGUIS
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Santa Barbara County school districts did not use one common test throughout Santa Barbara County, making it impossible to compare countywide testing results. SES response: Agree.
Related Recommendations (1)
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. SES response: Has been implemented. State assessments are already in place but were optional for the 2020-2021 school year. By 2022-23 we expect that all Santa Barbara County school districts will have resumed regular administration of California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) tests in English/language arts and mathematics in grades 3-8 and 11.
F5
Students with the greatest learning loss will require a concentrated effort to bring them up to Federal and State grade level standards. SES response: Agree.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
That Santa Barbara County Schools outline their plans to attain Federal and State grade level standards for math and English language arts. SES response: Has been implemented. Curriculum instruction align with the California Common Core Standards. Structures are in place to support student achievement, e.g. English Learner Program.
F6
As the 2020-21 school year wore on, remote learning and teaching techniques and students' computer skills improved. <b>SES response:</b> Agree.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Federal and State COVID relief funds cannot be counted on indefinitely. SES response: Agree.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Community organizations provided critical assistance to the Santa Barbara County school districts by expanding their efforts to bridge the learning gap between the home environment and school. SES response: Disagree partially. Such organizations did not provide critical assistance, as there aren't many such organizations in place in Solvang. <b>Recommendation 8</b> That each Santa Barbara County school district develop plans by the start of the 2022-23 school year to encourage community organizations to continue to provide critical academic and emotional support. SES response: We already partner with local organizations such as the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club. However, only the Boys and Girls Club might be able to provide academic assistance.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
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That each Santa Barbara County school district develop plans by the start of the 2022-23 school year to encourage community organizations to continue to provide critical academic and emotional support. SES response: We already partner with local organizations such as the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club. However, only the Boys and Girls Club might be able to provide academic assistance.
F9
Internet services were critical to remote learning and, in most cases, Santa Barbara County school districts filled the gap for homes that did not have them. SES response: Agree.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
That each Santa Barbara County school district maintain adequate internet services for all students if distance learning or an emergency should again require remote learning. SES response: Has been implemented. Our Technology Department routinely supports families with internet services, either by providing information on low-cost internet access or by loaning them Wi-Fi hot spots. Respectfully submitted, Supph Steve Seaford, Ed. D. Superintendent Solvang Elementary School District . . • . . • ,
* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.