Newsroom
Sixth Annual Riverside County Education Summit Draws 300 participants
Students who feel connected to their schools, caring educators, clubs and friends tend to stay in school and succeed. That is the connection between “Creating a Culture of Engagement: Ensuring Student Success,” the theme of the Sixth Annual Education Summit that started Oct. 9 in Palm Desert sponsored by the Riverside County Office of Education.
(View video | Read blogs)
About 300 educators and civic leaders attended the event.
“Sometimes I think that one of the most important thing we can do for our students is give them hope,” said Kenneth M. Young, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, who has made keeping students in school and reducing the dropout rate a theme of his administration.
State Superintendent Jack O’Connell said that not only relationships, but also the relevancy of what students are taught and the rigor of the curriculum are all important. He said that is especially true for minority and poor students, as well as those who do not speak English at home.
Hispanic students lag behind others 32 points in language arts, and 21 in math on state tests, he said. African American students trail 31 points in language arts and 26 points in math. Closing the “achievement gap” by helping students feel engaged with their schools is key to the state’s future, he said.
“The achievement gap is real, and we have it,” he said. “And it’s our economic imperative to help all of our students achieve.”
A panel of local college and university leaders discussed how they can help students in grades K-12 not only stay in school but succeed.
“The most important thing we can do is produce the best teachers possible,” said Al Karnig, President of California State University, and San Bernardino, one of the largest teacher colleges in the area. “Good teachers make a difference.”
Ellen Wartella, Executive Vice Chancellor of the University of California Riverside, said it is important to have university students visit K-12 schools to tutor, but also to provide role models for students and encourage them to finish high school and attend college.
Jerry Patton, President of College of the Desert, said students even at college need to feel comfortable and like they belong. “We need to help students feel a common bond, to feel comfortable in their own culture.”
John Antonetti, an education advocate and principal from the state of Arkansas, said students who feel connected to their schools usually succeed. “Human beings want to connect,” he said.
Participants honored Don F. Kenny, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools from 1970-1987, with the 2008 Education Leadership Award for his pioneering work as the superintendent and for his continued work on behalf of schools, including helping to write school policy and guide school district organizations.
Participants broke into six smaller sessions on the subjects of Alternative Education, preschool, inspiring educators in the workplace, networking in the community, legislative issues and working with children in poverty.
Economist John Husing spoke to the conference about how the current economic crisis has been fueled by a declining housing market, and how the downturn means less enrollment and fewer tax dollars for schools in the Inland Empire. Husing predicted the market would “bottom out” by 2010 and the Inland Empire would rebound because of available land for new development. Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack attended the summit as did Mark Hawkins, President of Altura Credit Union and a co-sponsor of the event.
For information contact:
Rick Peoples,
Public Information Officer
Telephone: (951) 826-6642
Fax: (951) 826-6199
rpeoples@rcoe.us
|
