A new report from the Economic Policy Institute concludes that all students need access to quality instruction in critical thinking, social skills and a work ethic, citizenship and community responsibility, physical health, emotional health, appreciation of the arts and literature, and reparation for skilled work. The nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank says closing the achievement gap between different subgroups of students requires much more than narrowing the gap between their standardized test scores.

In its seventh annual report on high school graduation, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education estimates that between 2005-06 and 2014-15 the nation's public high schools will produce almost 207,000 more Latino graduates (an increase of 54 percent); about 12,000 more African American graduates (an increase of 3 percent); and nearly 197,000 fewer white non-Latino graduates (a decline of 11 percent). WICHE is a regional organization of 15 Western states, including California, that focuses on sharing resources to increase support for and access to higher education.

University of California, Merced
College Access Foundation of California

Meeting Bakersfield, CA
March 26, 2008

(click to download document)
San Joaquin Valley College Preparation-Going Educational Statistics

Jesus Garcia
Research Coordinator
Kern County Superintendent of Schools

The NCES has just released its Digest of Education Statistics: 2007 report, which provides statistical information on elementary, secondary, and postsecondary students, faculty, expenditures, and other elements. It includes historical data--in some cases for the last 100+ years--as well as projected data for some elements, such as enrollment and the number of degrees estimated to be conferred. For example, public elementary school enrollment nationwide (pre-K through grade 8) is projected to increase by 10% between 2007 and 2016, while public secondary school enrollment (grades 9 through 12) is projected to increase by 2% during the same time frame. The full report can be found at http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d07/.

Introduction: The San Joaquin Valley County Superintendents of Schools Consortium (SJVCSSC) invites your participation in the following study.

This survey will ask for your input regarding best practices identified by the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley Higher Education and Workforce Development Working Group to promote the achievement of the K-12 Education Working Group Goal 2: Develop a college-going culture in San Joaquin Valley.

Length: The questionnaire will take 10-15 minutes to complete. Please complete by Monday, January 14th.

Potential Risks: The questionnaire poses minimal risk to participants. Participants are asked to describe their knowledge and use of programs to promote a college-going culture in San Joaquin Valley. No other further action is expected.

Potential Benefits: The findings of this study will assist the SJVCSSC gain a better understanding of the best practices in use to promote a college-going culture in San Joaquin Valley.

Confidentiality: All data related to this survey will be kept confidential. This survey adheres to the Association for Institutional Research Code of Ethics http://www.airweb.org/?page=140. Unless authorized by consent access to individual results, other than by the principal investigator, will be strictly prohibited. Zoomerang, this survey tool, is an encrypted secure and password protected system, risk to the subject’s confidentiality is however the same as if participating in any online public survey. The research report will be written in aggregate terms protecting the confidentiality of participants. A few individual responses however may be reported without any names.

Rights of Research Subject: Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary.

Contact Investigator: Direct questions to the principal investigator, Jesus Garcia, Research Coordinator at (661) 636-4648 or e-mail research@kern.org. If you have any other questions please direct them to:

Christine Lizardi Frazier, Ed.D
Associate Superintendent, Management Services
Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office
1300 17th Street - CITY CENTRE
Bakersfield, California 93301-4533
chfrazier@kern.org
661-636-4621

Consent: If you agree please click here proceed to the survey.