Kern County Superintendent of Schools’ Post

I love the concept and focused commitment of community schools. I mention them in my new book “Skillful Futures”

#GiveSTLDay Early Giving is now open! I'm asking friends in my network to consider supporting Navigate STL Schools. Navigate advocates for equitable enrollment by sharing relevant resources and transparent information about the traditional, charter, magnet, and independent school options available. Navigate focuses on Early Childhood Education, Transition (ECE, elementary, middle and high school) Programs, and making sure residents understand their educational options in the city of St. Louis. Kindergarten and the skills learned at this grade level are critical to a student’s educational journey. And currently, kindergarten isn’t a requirement in the state of MO. In addition to this, being prepared for the transition to kindergarten starts earlier than most caregivers anticipate, putting them behind in the enrollment process - leaving them with less school options, and less time to access any additional resources they may need to get their student to [and through] school. Our Kinder Readiness Program works to solve this problem! Did you know that $73 can provide one month of kindergarten readiness services to a family? And $877 can support one entire ECE center with Kinder Readiness Services for a month? Will you join our Kinder Readiness Giving Club and help support this pivotal transition time for one or more families? https://lnkd.in/gfNDazU8

Are you considering moving to Oklahoma with school-aged children? 🌟 Education is a top concern for many families. Understanding the educational landscape can make a huge difference. Here’s a quick guide to help you explore educational opportunities in Oklahoma: 1️⃣ Diverse School Options: Oklahoma offers a mix of public, private, and charter schools. Researching these can help you find the best fit for your child's needs. 2️⃣ Great Public Schools: Areas like Tulsa, Broken Arrow, and Jenks have some top-ranking public schools known for their quality education and extracurricular programs. 3️⃣ Specialized Programs: Many schools offer programs for gifted students, special education services, and advanced placement options. 4️⃣ Community Involvement: Schools here encourage parent participation through PTA and other community engagement programs. Creating a network is essential for your child's growth and success. 5️⃣ Higher Education: Oklahoma also boasts strong higher education institutions for future planning, including the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. Remember, a well-informed move ensures a smoother transition for you and your children. Let's connect if you need any help listing, marketing, or purchasing your new home in Oklahoma. Together, we can make this relocation seamless and exciting for you and your family! #OklahomaRealEstate #EducationInOklahoma #FamilyMoving #SchoolOptions #RelocationTips

Counting down to our 10th anniversary of #teacherpowered in a few weeks by sharing all things we support & do. One impactful #teacherpowered schools practice is involving families. Check out this Edweek article for one way to do it: https://lnkd.in/gJ6kx3s6?

I wrote an op-ed in CharterFolk that focuses on the importance of communities in our fight for educational equity.  https://lnkd.in/gaHYWAQP “Our community engagement strategy focuses on changing the narrative surrounding the charter movement to demonstrate our commitment to putting students, families, and schools first with a particular focus on underserved communities.” “…Our engagement strategy extends beyond education reform and elite circles and focuses on actively engaging in authentic grassroots outreach in the neighborhoods surrounding our schools, where people see us as part of their communities.” As part of this effort, we "must activate our communities to rally against broader forces that continue to allow poorly performing schools that do not meet the needs of children or communities to remain." Ultimately, “we can only achieve true educational equity if we recognize that our collective failure to provide quality schools for all children is our collective responsibility.” #Rocketship, #communityengagement, #grassrootsorganizing, #qualityschools

Accelerate across the school district grade bands. Pre-K, K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 !!

The responses to The Big Ambition are clear, children really value their education, many love their teachers, but they want to see schools focus on a stronger pastoral support offer. In the year ahead, I will be using more of these findings from The Big Ambition to inform my vision for the school system. I want to ensure that the voices of England’s children shape the education system which serves them. https://lnkd.in/eBkNzDD2

Charter schools are publicly funded institutions that operate independently of traditional public school systems. They are granted autonomy in exchange for accountability, typically operating under a charter contract with a sponsoring entity, such as a school district, university, or nonprofit organization. Charter schools often have specific missions or focuses, such as arts integration, STEM education, or Montessori principles. They have the flexibility to innovate in teaching methods and curriculum design, but they must adhere to academic standards outlined in their charter agreements. While charter schools are open to all students, they may have enrollment preferences or admission lotteries if demand exceeds capacity. These schools are funded by taxpayer dollars on a per-pupil basis and are subject to oversight by their authorizers to ensure they meet performance benchmarks and comply with relevant regulations. #task12 #talentserve #charterschools

But seriously - are you paying attention to Houston? The latest: “Houston ISD is on track in 2024-25 to see its largest single-year enrollment loss since the pandemic, with the majority of student departures coming from campuses overhauled under a controversial new model implemented by state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles…. “The 8,600-student decline equals roughly 5 percent of the student population…. “If HISD follows similar trends this year, its final count would total roughly 176,000 — the lowest level in at least a half-century…” “The numbers indicate the 130 schools in Miles’ transformation model … have lost about 5,300 children, or 7 percent of their enrollment, in the first month of classes … Meanwhile, the 141 schools that have *not* been targeted for overhaul have so far lost about 1,500 students, or 1.5 percent of their total.“ https://lnkd.in/eNqFpEVF

The Importance of Early Learning During the first five years of life, 90% of a child’s brain develops, forming the foundation for future learning. High-quality preschool gives children a strong start on the path that leads to college or a career. Research shows that all children benefit from high-quality preschool. Students who enter kindergarten having developed age appropriate social-emotional and educational skills have greater lifetime success. Both of our collaborating partners (United Way Suncoast and Community Foundation Tampa Bay) invest in the early-education programming which supports progress throughout the region. Examples include funding that helps sustain Thrive by Five Tampa Bay, United4Literacy Kits, The Big Plan and more.