When budget and curriculum experts work together, students
benefit.
San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) leaders are
modeling that message by working with local school districts to support them as
they bring to life their Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs).
“We put ourselves out to the districts as a team,” said Lora
Duzyk, assistant superintendent of Business Services. “It can only help
students when everybody’s on the same page.”
SDCOE officials are meeting with leaders from each of the
county’s 42 school districts at least once this year. Instead of focusing on
the documents themselves, they’re hearing from districts about what worked in
the development and review process and how districts are implementing the
actions and services coming from the LCAPs.
“We wanted to meet face-to-face with each district for an
opportunity to take some time to find out how they’re doing with the
implementation of the plans,” said Jean Madden-Cazares, assistant
superintendent of Learning and Leadership Services.
The meetings are an opportunity to identify best practices,
determine what challenges were common, and find ways to better serve districts
and students. As part of the work, SDCOE officials are looking at sample LCAPs
from across the state. The documents can be long and complex, averaging more
than 100 pages each.
The meetings are also an opportunity for county Superintendent Dr. Randolph Ward to share information on the future of the LCAP and related issues based on his involvement in state level groups.
“It’s all a part of
getting better at figuring out what the districts want and how we can better
support them,” said Nancy Sedgwick, LCAP director.