Programs that Support Students and Families
Working to Eliminate Gaps in Opportunity
Working to Eliminate Gaps in Opportunity
Many school districts in California receive additional funding because their student population includes a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. This group includes children of migrant parents, youth who are homeless or in the foster care system, English language learners, and students who would qualify for free or reduced-priced lunch under federal guidelines. SCOE targets specific programs or services to this group and tailors its professional development offerings around principles of equity.
About 19% of Sonoma County students are classified as English learners, or multilingual learners. SCOE offers several workshops for educators and administrators who serve multilingual learners. This includes collaboratives focused on meeting the unique needs of multilingual learners, as well as strengthening family and community outreach. Additionally, the annual Multilingual Learner and Migrant Parent Institute empowers families to engage with the school system and community organizations to improve access for their children.
SCOE is one of three county offices of education to receive a recent Equity Lead Grant from the state of California. Staff from the county office will work with peers in Los Angeles County and Kings County to scale up and amplify programs focused on supporting Black learners and other students of color. SCOE is receiving $2.95 million over five years to help lead this work because of professional development the county office is already offering. That includes an anti-racist leadership institute at SCOE and workshops on trauma-informed care for Sonoma County school staff.
SCOE staff also seek to raise awareness of the unique needs of the housing-insecure youth who are experiencing homelessness, are unaccompanied minors, or are in the foster care system. The Foster and Homeless Youth team provides technical assistance, training, and resources to public schools and connects them with agencies that serve such youth. It works to ensure consistent access to education for students and families whose addresses and districts of residence may change frequently, posing potential disruptions to learning.
Student Events and Programs
SCOE supports students in Sonoma County schools with a number of special events and offerings.
The STEAM Showcase, typically held in March at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, brings together hundreds of students for a showcase of work in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM). Projects include interactive demonstrations and performances. More than 400 students showcase their own work, explore the work of other students, participate in interviews, and take part in hands on science and maker activities.
This school year, SCOE launched Sonoma County Youth Voice, a literary magazine to showcase poetry, flash fiction, and short autobiographical essays from high-school aged students. The inaugural issue featured poetry written by students at Sonoma County’s Juvenile Justice Center, where SCOE administers the educational programs.
SCOE also works to center student voices at many of our professional development offerings and staff events, which regularly feature artwork, food, displays, and performances by students.
I am going to shower the jail smell off of me.
I am going to remove myself from high risk factors.
I am going to go
and visit her grave.
I am going to go
work out at the gym.
I am going to find a job.
I am going to visit him.
I am going to put money
on his books.
I am going to drive a car
the right way.
I am going to get baptized.
I am going to take care of my baby
girls and make sure I don’t
ever leave them again.
– verse from “When I Get Out,” a poem by a student at Sonoma County Juvenile Justice Center, published in Sonoma County Youth Voice magazine
