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Riverside County Superintendent of Schools delivers 2011 State of Education Address in Riverside County
Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Kenneth M. Young delivered his 2011 State of Education address Thursday, February 17, 2011, to nearly 400 education, business and community leaders. (Read complete address with data charts - pdf)
The theme of this year’s address was “Public Education: Building Our County’s Future.” The event was hosted by the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce and the Workforce Investment Board at the Riverside Convention Center.
Young used the occasion to point out the contrast between what he sees in Riverside County schools -- outstanding academic programs and student achievement -- versus perceptions among many members of the public and politicians that public schools in general are “failing.”
“It seems that we’re constantly hearing two conflicting messages about our public schools,” Young said. “They’re either failing, or they are doing exceptionally well – with little mention of those in between, and much attention being focused on those deemed as failures. Typically, there is negligible context provided for either message.”
One example, he said, was the recently released movie, “Waiting for Superman,” chronicling the lives of five families living in poverty and trying to get the best educations possible for their children.
“Unfortunately the documentary depicts all public schools in America as failing and charter schools as the only viable solution,” he said.
Young pointed to several schools as examples of tremendous academic improvement, including Edgemont Elementary School in the Moreno Valley Unified School District that raised its score on the state Academic Performance Index (API) by 366 points. Manuel Real Elementary in the Val Verde Unified School District raised its score by 363 points, and Arlanza Elementary School in the Alvord Unified School District raised its score by 342. All three schools have high poverty levels and high numbers of students who are English Learners.
Young said members of the public want to know three things about public schools: How many students are graduating, how many are prepared for college and how many are prepared for the workforce.
He cited the outstanding successes of the No Excuses University program that gets elementary students excited about college preparation, the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program that keeps that preparation going through middle and high school, and Career Technical Education (CTE) programs that train young people for the workplace.
“We have to prepare our students to succeed in a new workforce – one that has never existed before – one that’s just beginning to take shape,” he said.
Finally, assessing the state budget shortfall of more than $25 billion, Young predicted recently elected Governor Jerry Brown will have a tough time getting a tax extension on the ballot and approved by voters. Public school funding has been cut $18 billion over the last three years, and could face cuts up to $1,000 per student if the Governor’s financial plan fails.
“School districts must remain aware and prepared for potentially very deep cuts,” he said.
Whatever happens with the budget, Young said he will continue forging partnerships with parents, community leaders and businesses to support public schools. “As I see so many dedicated people across our county giving their all – and then some – to help the children of the rising generation have a bright future and high quality of life, it motivates me to do more,” he said. “Certainly the future holds great promise in the hands of today's youth."
For information contact:
Rick Peoples
Telephone: (951) 826-6642
Fax: (951) 826-6199
rpeoples@rcoe.us
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