San Mateo County Grand Jury
• 2004-2005
Improving the Community School System Issue Given the current cuts in funding, are eligible students in the Community
⚠️ 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 1 findings
F2004
Page 4
Members, representing relevant city and county agencies and districts, met monthly. The Panel examined a comprehensive review of educational and budgetary approaches to serve these at-risk youth. Members of the Panel attended meetings of statewide associations, such as the Community Day School Network, to encourage the sharing of ideas and solutions to common problems. Along with providing the appropriate education, the members’ major concern was the projected annual $500,000 budget deficit. The Blue Ribbon Panel determined that the optimal financial and operational model for Community Schools would be to combine the district-run with the County-run schools. Independent studies demonstrate that a substantial economic benefit exists in educating these at-risk youth. Three recent studies by the Rand Corporation, the University of 4 California at Los Angeles Graduate School of Management and Research, and the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago concurred in their findings that the cost of incarceration far exceeds the cost of education. The San Mateo Probation Department estimates that every dollar spent in prevention (i.e., education, counseling, etc.) saves $7 in future costs to taxpayers. Conclusions The Community Schools are functioning adequately given the economic constraints under which they operate. These constraints, however, result in the almost constant search for money to provide services. Despite the bare-bones budgets, students are making progress, as shown by increases in test scores from 2003 to 2004 in language and math, and by completion rates, such as numbers receiving diplomas or GED certificates. The relatively low rates for students dropping out of the Community Schools due to attendance or behavior problems underscores the need to continue supporting these schools with stable funding and easily accessible locations. Staff at the schools are dedicated to the education and success of these at-risk youth. Experienced teachers and counselors work to help the students learn life skills, including goal setting, dependability, and assuming responsibility for one’s actions. The Grand Jury observed the need not only to maintain a viable Community Schools program, but also to expand academic offerings to a growing number of adolescents. Current thinking by state and local educators anticipates increased placements of troubled youth in local communities rather than incarceration in state-run facilities. It is essential that these at-risk youth obtain as much education and socialization as possible to enable them to be contributing members of their families and of the community.
Recommendations 9
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R1IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BLUE RIBBON PANEL, INCLUDING COMBINING THE DISTRICT-RUN DAY SCHOOLS WITH THE COUNTY-RUN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS. MOUs have been completed with Sequoia and San Mateo Union High School District to combine district Community Day Schools with County Community Schools. The combined programs will be located at the Fair Oaks Center in Redwood City and at the Pen-Crest site in San Bruno.
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R2CONVENE A SMALLER SUBSET OF THE PANEL TO HOLD REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS TO EXAMINE EMERGING ISSUES RELATED TO PROGRAMS, FACILITIES, FUNDING AND FUTURE GROWTH AND TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THEM. Monthly meetings are scheduled including representatives from Probation, High School Districts and County Office of Education managers and staff.
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R3CONVENE A TASK FORCE OF FISCAL OFFICERS FROM THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS, PROBATION DEPARTMENT AND OTHER MEMBERS OF ORGANIZATIONS OF THE BLUE RIBBON PANEL TO DETERMINE HOW BEST TO SHARE THE COSTS OF THESE SCHOOLS. A preliminary meeting including the Assistant Chief of Probation, San Mateo County Office of Education Associate Superintendent, and Community School managers is scheduled for May 16. The fiscal task force will be discussed.
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R4CONTINUE TO EVALUATE THE PROGRESS MADE AND THE BENEFITS RESULTING FROM COMBINING COMMUNITY AND COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOLS. THE EVALUATION SHOULD RECOGNIZE ANY LONG-TERM IMPLICATIONS OF COMBINING SCHOOLS, INCLUDING BUDGETARY ISSUES AND PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS. Ongoing program review will take place and evaluation reports will be provided to the San Mateo County Office of Education Board of Trustees.
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R5REQUIRE AND SUPPORT PARENT/GUARDIAN OR ANY OTHER CONCERNED ADULT INVOLVEMENT. Parent involvement is encouraged. Parents participate in an intake interview where expectations are delineated and parent input is sought. Parent meetings may be planned three times per year.
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R6WORK TO RETURN YOUTHS TO THEIR HOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS OR TO LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROGRAMS BY IDENTIFYING AND CO- OPERATING WITH AVAILABLE ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS. Student transitions are discussed at the monthly Community School Task Force meetings. The Regional Occupational Program (ROP) currently makes presentations to students regarding opportunities for vocational training and it is hoped that ROP may extend classes to community school sites. Career education will be provided as a component of the after school activities planned by the East Palo Alto Boys and Girls Club.
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R7CONSIDER PARTNERSHIPS WITH EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES TO SEEK ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES, SUCH AS STRATEGIC FUNDING AND OTHER NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO IDENTIFY AND PROCURE FUNDS. Funding issues are a regular item on the Task Force agendas. Grant opportunities are being researched. The San Mateo County Office of Education Associate Superintendent for Student Services Division is the Co-Chair of the Adolescent Collaborative Action Team comprised of 45 county agencies and community based organizations. Opportunities for revenue enhancement and/or resources for services are sought through this group.
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R8CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL NETWORK TO BUILD ON THE EXPERIENCES AND RESEARCH OF OTHER SIMILAR SYSTEMS. San Mateo County Office of Education program managers are members of the Community Day School Network (CDN) and the Juvenile Court, Community and Alternative School Administrators Association (JCCASAC). The Associate Superintendent of Student Services Division is a member of the Student Programs and Services Steering Committee (SPSSC) of the California County Superintendents’ Education Services Association (CCSESA). This group meets six times per year to discuss alternative education issues and advocate for legislation and California Department of Education policy that support alternative education students and programs.
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R9CONTINUE TO WORK TO FIND MORE COST EFFECTIVE LOCATIONS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SURPLUS COUNTY OR DISTRICT SCHOOL SITES CLOSER TO REQUIRED ANCILLARY SERVICE SUCH AS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. For the 05-06 school year, all community school classrooms, with the exception of the Daly City site, will be in rent-free sites. The sites are located in East Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Mateo and Daly City. These sites are selected to be accessible to students. The sites in East Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Bruno and Daly City are co- located in facilities with community-based organizations that can provide resources and opportunities for extended learning for the students.
Conclusions 1
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CL1 Page 5The Community Schools are functioning adequately given the economic constraints under which they operate. These constraints, however, result in the almost constant search for money to provide services. Despite the bare-bones budgets, students are making progress, as shown by increases in test scores from 2003 to 2004 in language and math, and by completion rates, such as numbers receiving diplomas or GED certificates. The relatively low rates for students dropping out of the Community Schools due to attendance or behavior problems underscores the need to continue supporting these schools with stable funding and easily accessible locations. Staff at the schools are dedicated to the education and success of these at-risk youth. Experienced teachers and counselors work to help the students learn life skills, including goal setting, dependability, and assuming responsibility for one’s actions. The Grand Jury observed the need not only to maintain a viable Community Schools program, but also to expand academic offerings to a growing number of adolescents. Current thinking by state and local educators anticipates increased placements of troubled youth in local communities rather than incarceration in state-run facilities. It is essential that these at-risk youth obtain as much education and socialization as possible to enable them to be contributing members of their families and of the community.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
San Mateo County County Superintendent of Schools
Elected County Office