Introduction and Message from the County Superintendent

Like our community, our public schools are navigating uncertainty,  challenge, and change.  As some Sonoma County school districts are closing campuses because of declining enrollment and other financial challenges,  a leadership change in Washington is shifting how federal and state governments collaborate to educate children.

This annual report to the community gives an overview  of TK-12 public education in Sonoma County and highlights the work of the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) to support the more than 64,000 students who attend public schools. Some of these programs are foundational, required by California law and Education Code. Others are developed in partnership with our school districts in response to community needs and the latest research.

As Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools, I believe that every child—no matter their background, income, disabilities, or immigration status—deserves access to a safe, supportive, and equitable education. California’s schools have a legal and moral responsibility to create inclusive environments that protect vulnerable students, foster a sense of belonging, and guarantee access to quality education as a pathway to success.

For our most vulnerable students, including those who are undocumented, homeless, or in the foster care system, school is more than a place to learn—it is a sanctuary of hope and opportunity. Our duty to protect that sanctuary is paramount in times of uncertainty and fear.

One of the best ways to ensure our schools meet the evolving needs of students and families is to ask how we can help. That’s why I’m proud to support Sonoma County schools’ continued engagement with the annual  YouthTruth surveys.

These surveys, which are supported by SCOE’s School Culture & Partnerships department, were taken by students, families, and staff at 143 Sonoma County schools in January. Many of the questions assess how each school makes students feel like they matter to their teachers and peers, and whether they feel welcome. A growing body of research, including here at SCOE, shows a strong correlation between students’ sense of belonging, their perceptions of safety, and academic achievement. Our team works with our schools to explore and take action in response to the data, so that we might identify and spread successful strategies that create inclusive schools where all students can thrive.

SCOE also serves a key role in bringing together like- minded educators and nonprofits whose work can be amplified by collaboration. One of Sonoma County’s core educational and social challenges is our literacy rate. Decades of research have shown that the ability to read at grade level is one of the strongest predictors for success later in life. That’s why SCOE is taking the lead this spring in bringing together public and private partners for the

Literacy Promise, an effort to raise awareness of and take action around this important issue.

These are just two of the supplementary programs SCOE offers, alongside longstanding services including fiscal oversight, professional development for school employees, education  for students in the juvenile justice system, and support as schools adopt new graduation requirements around financial literacy and ethnic studies.  You can read about these programs, and more, later in this report.

Dr. Amie R. Carter

Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools