SBCSS News and Press Releases

County Superintendent Delivers His Annual State Of Education Address

2011-02-09

SAN BERNARDINO - Envisioning a future in public education where schools could be open for 24 hours a day and students take part in an interactive and technology-laden experience were touchstones of San Bernardino County Superintendent Gary Thomas' annual State of Education Address today.

"I am committed to building a common vision in San Bernardino County to prepare all of our students to take their place as productive, contributing members of a 21st century global community," Thomas said. "Let's envision the future of what public education can be and what it can do."

Thomas delivered his speech at the California Theatre of the Performing Arts in downtown San Bernardino. Gary Ovitt of the County Board of Supervisors emceed the event, and Chaffey Community College President Henry Shannon introduced Thomas before his 35-minute remarks.

Several hundred community members attended the event, including elected county leaders, community and business partners, teachers, superintendents, classified staff and board of education members.

The theme of Thomas remarks - his first as the newly elected county superintendent, but
third overall after being appointed to the position in August 2008 - was "Education Envision the Future."

In his presentation, Thomas included video interviews from a variety of stakeholders, educators and students on their thoughts on the future of public education. Those interviewed included James Ramos, a member of the State Board of Education and chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Melissa Coronado, a county Teacher of the Year in 2010; Mark McLaughlin, principal of Alder Middle School in Fontana; Terrance Stone, president and chief executive officer of the Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy; Margarita Hurtado, a parent whose children attend public schools in Victorville; Chris Dykus, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) student at Yucaipa High School; and Jason Ciabatti, a former Regional Occupational Program student who serves for the AmeriCorps Urban Conservation Corps.

Thomas also highlighted other academic accomplishments of schools and districts in the county, as well as provided insights on the state budget situation and programs to boost college-going rates, promote school safety and provide opportunities in the 21st century global economy.

"As we look to the future, it's important to note our progress to date," he said.

The county's Academic Performance Index growth score of 746 is at a record-high, and its 12-point growth in the most recent year of reporting is its third consecutive for double-digit growth.

Still, the absence of stable funding for K-12 public education threatens future progress.

"California's disinvestment in education is choking the economic engine of this state and breaking the promise of opportunity for our students," Thomas said.

Maintaining close to this year's funding levels is predicated on the state legislature placing a five-year tax extension on the ballot in June and then voters approving the measure. Having absorbed about $18 billion in cuts statewide to education funding over the past three years, the prospects of more cuts without voter and legislative approvals is a daunting challenge for schools and districts.

Despite cuts to funding, there has been a steady improvement during the last three reporting years in the county's dropout rates. While the current four-year adjusted derived dropout rate of 21.6 percent is just one-tenth of a point off the state level, county rates have dropped in each of the past three years, while the state is on an upward trend.

"While it's improved, it still is not where our students need to be to make our area more attractive to employers and businesses, and it's certainly not where our students need to be in order to be prepared for a global economy," Thomas said.

One program aimed at streamlining college entrance for community colleges, as well as University of California/Cal State University systems schools, is the Early Assessment Program. The assessment for 11th-graders is designed to give high school students an early indication of college readiness in English language arts and math and to avoid incoming college students' need for remediation.

"In this era of limited resources, envision a future where high schools, community colleges and universities align coursework, teacher training, tests and college entrance expectations so students are prepared, at graduation, for the next stage of their education," Thomas said.

One new initiative through a partnership with the Diocese of San Bernardino and Bishop Gerald Barnes is the 12 Powers of Family Business, which started in January. The program is designed as a training module to help families establish mutually beneficial goals, effective communication and positive attitudes in the home, as wells the community.

"When we talk about family involvement, I want to make sure I acknowledge our faith-based community who have supported the importance of education in the home through homework and literacy centers and many other successful partnerships," Thomas said.

Providing a safe learning environment for students, as well as staff, remains a priority, Thomas said.

"We must continually envision schools without prejudice, intolerance and bullying and as educators and families - with our partners in government, community and faith-based groups - continually strive for that vision," he said. "The future of our children is dependent upon it."

While fostering a spirit of collaboration and partnerships, Thomas said this is a critical time for public schools.

"In a time of shrinking resources, it challenges us to take courageous steps to not only improve, but to rethink, our public schools," he said.