Santa Clara County Office of Education: Programs and Services
The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency providing instructional and business services to the 31 school districts within Santa Clara County. The SCCOE's mission involves direct service to students through various programs and support for educators and staff countywide. This article will explore the diverse array of programs and services offered by the SCCOE, highlighting its commitment to students, families, and the educational community.
Educational Services Division
The Educational Services Division at SCCOE plays a crucial role in providing countywide education programs tailored to specific student populations. These include students with disabilities, those under court supervision, and students not attending regular schools. Furthermore, the division oversees preschool and child development programs, promotes environmental education, assists districts in managing their special education programs, and provides educational support for children of migrant families.
Student and Parent Involvement
SCCOE emphasizes the importance of student and parent involvement in shaping educational programs and policies through several advisory committees.
Student Advisory Committee
The Student Advisory Committee comprises students from various Santa Clara County Office of Education programs. This committee actively participates in reviewing and providing valuable input on the County Operated program's Santa Clara County Office of Education Local Control Accountability Plan, budget, and student programs. For further details, interested individuals can contact the Manager of Implementation and Compliance at (408) 453-6551.
Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) mirrors the Student Advisory Committee's function, focusing on parental perspectives. The PAC reviews and provides input on the County Operated program's Santa Clara County Office of Education Local Control Accountability Plan, budget, and student programs. The PAC convenes monthly, and parents and guardians are encouraged to attend. Additional information about joining the PAC can be obtained by contacting the Manager of Implementation and Compliance at (408) 453-6551.
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District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)
The District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) provides oversight for programming designed to support English Learners enrolled in Santa Clara County Office of Education schools. The DELAC meets twice annually and contributes to decision-making processes related to parent engagement, reclassification of English Learners, budget allocation, and program development for English Learners. Composed of parents and SCCOE staff, the DELAC also provides input regarding the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the Title III budget. Parents and guardians are welcome to participate.
Specialized Educational Programs and Services
SCCOE offers a wide range of specialized programs catering to diverse student needs.
Alternative Education Department
The Alternative Education Department provides educational programs for students who are under court supervision or not attending regular school. These programs offer tailored support and resources to help students succeed academically and personally.
Early Start Program
The Early Start Program focuses on early intervention services for children from birth to age three with disabilities, as well as their families. This program provides crucial support during the critical early developmental years, helping children reach their full potential. The Early Start program is a collaborative effort between the San Andreas Regional Center, the Santa Clara County Office of Education, and a consortium of other community agencies. The department serves children ages birth to three and provides support and resources to family members and caregivers to enhance children's learning and development.
Walden West
Walden West is a residential outdoor science school designed for fifth-and-sixth-graders. This immersive program brings science, ecology, and environmental concepts to life through hands-on learning in an outdoor setting.
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Migrant Education Program
The Migrant Education Program is designed to provide supplementary services to eligible migrant students, addressing their unique educational needs and challenges.
Opportunity Youth Academy
The Opportunity Youth Academy offers students a blended program of teacher-directed instruction and online credit accrual and recovery options. The focus is ensuring that students leave the program with a high school diploma, and a path to college or a postgraduation career. The classes students complete satisfy admission requirements for California public universities and military service.
Special Education Department
The Special Education Department provides a variety of instructional programs and services for infants, children and youth with special needs. The Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) coordinates with school districts and the Santa Clara County Office of Education to provide a continuum of programs and services for students with disabilities from ages birth through 22 years of age. The department provides information and trainings to families on a variety of special education topics and also offers Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services to support families who have a child with a disability.
The Special Education department provides a variety of services for children and students with severe or low-incidence disabilities through instructional programs divided into Early Education (birth to age 3), preschool, elementary, secondary and post-senior. Programs are held within specific school clusters across the county. The department also serves students attending institutional schools, community schools, and pediatric-skilled nursing facilities. The department provides support with assistive technology, augmentative and alternative communication, vision and orientation, and mobility services.
Inclusion Collaborative
The Inclusion Collaborative builds a culture that promotes equity, inclusion and belonging through various community services and activities. The department offers professional development and coaching that strengthens inclusive classroom practices in school districts as well as childcare programs, engages in advocacy, leads the Makerspace, and provides free support, information and referrals to families who have a child with a disability and other needs through the Inclusion Support Warmline . The department is also one of many locations across Santa Clara County that supports families with developmental assessments (Ages and Stages Questionnaire).
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Additional Services and Initiatives
Beyond direct educational programs, SCCOE provides a range of support services and initiatives.
Contact the Resource & Referral Program (R&R)
Contact the Resource & Referral Program (R&R) to find childcare and preschool programs in Santa Clara County that meet your child's needs.
FosterVision Plus
The SCCOE is proud to announce the launch of FosterVision Plus, a major upgrade to the county’s secure data platform that connects county systems to better support youth in foster care and youth on probation.
California Children's Services Medical Therapy Program
During National Physical Therapy Month, we are highlighting the California Children's Services Medical Therapy Program. The program provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, durable medical equipment consultation, and home and school consultations. All services are offered free to families with a child who has an eligible condition.
Educator Preparation Programs
SCCOE’s Educator Preparation Programs offer various credential opportunities for aspiring leaders!
Silicon Valley High-Dosage Tutoring Summit
Silicon Valley High-Dosage Tutoring Summit is happening soon! Join funders, leaders, and innovators to explore strategies to accelerate student learning through high-dosage tutoring - sharing research, lessons learned, and actionable tools. 🛠️This is an opportunity to support students, strengthen our communities, and scale what works.
Core Values
Santa Clara Unified School District acknowledges that our schools are on the traditional lands of the Tamien Nation - the aboriginal American Indian tribe of Santa Clara Valley. We believe that achieving high performance and full potential for both the organization and the individual comes from a relentless commitment to excellence and the courage to adapt, change, and improve based on results. We believe in upholding our fiscal responsibility through integrity and high ethical standards. We believe that community action is essential to achieving our vision and having a positive impact on student outcomes, including their health and wellness. We serve as a catalyst for a call-to-action with our parents, families, and community. We believe in bringing out the full potential of every student and staff member, through our commitment to equity, access, and inclusion. We believe that empathy-the ability to understand and share the feelings of another-is crucial for valuing diverse perspectives, effective collaboration, problem-solving, and leading change. We believe that preparing our students and educators to thrive requires a culture of creativity and innovation. We are forward-looking and future-ready. We honor differences and recognize intersectionality- the overlapping identities that combine and intersect in the experiences of marginalized groups-in order to understand the complexity of the prejudices they face and respond with inclusive practices.
Social Media Guidelines
Our social media accounts are designed to share news and information about the initiatives of the SCCOE and our community partners. We welcome and encourage conversation with our online community; however, our page is a moderated online discussion site, not a public forum. As an organization who puts students first, we ask all users to keep comments appropriate and civil. SCCOE reserves the right to remove any content deemed as bullying, intimidation, or harassment; content deemed hateful, libelous, slanderous, or hostile. We will immediately remove material that is obscene, pornographic, contain nudity or graphic or gratuitous violence. Any content that contains proprietary or unauthorized self-promotion and/or solicitations whether for profit or not, such as spam or comments which include links to other sites which are not community partners will be removed. Repeat contact or engagement to drive traffic to a non-partner account, product, service or initiative will be removed. Please note that the comments expressed on this site do not reflect the official opinions and position of Santa Clara County Office of Education, the County Superintendent of Schools, or Santa Clara County Board of Education.
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