Every year, while students are enjoying summer vacation, I run into people who ask whether I am working during the summer. I choke back a laugh and reflect on the fact that every year I have been in education, I have worked all summer.

As a teacher, I taught summer school for six weeks, attended professional development, studied and learned a new curriculum and worked on improving my instructional strategies. As a site and district administrator, I worked to prepare for a new school year, hired essential staff members , organized instructional materials, wrote policies, updated plans and supervised facility projects.

As county superintendent, this summer my work is a little different. Much of my time has been spent watching the state Legislature, the state Board of Education and the governor, to see how their actions might impact the students in our county. The lack of an adopted state budget, the release of troubling student dropout data, and the decision by the state Board of Education to require all eighth-grade students to take the Algebra I test by 2011 (which has my seventh-grade son a little nervous) have all been topics this summer that have polarized many across the state.

Yet in Placer County, these debates have invigorated the staff here at the county Office of Education. We believe this is an opportunity for us to reflect on our programs and services and determine where we can improve.

All summer, we have waited for an adopted state budget to determine if the cuts we were required to make by June 30 do, in fact, need to happen, or if there is a glimmer of hope that would allow us to restore some of the programs, services and staff members.

Analysis of the new high school dropout data provides an opportunity for educators to assess their educational programs, identify successful strategies and increase efforts to ensure that all students are given the support and opportunities they need to succeed in our high schools.

Community-based partnerships between schools, Placer County's Children's System of Care, law enforcement, recreation departments and others will continue to result in creative ways to share resources and accomplish this goal.

I am pleased to report that school districts in Placer County and the county Office of Education are ahead of the curve. We have various education and health and human service agencies throughout our county that have collaborated and utilized resources to address the needs of at-risk students. After-school programs and an alternative education academy have proven to be exciting alternatives or additions to traditional schools and have helped students stay in school and graduate. The governor and the state Board of Education have been criticized for not planning adequately, or providing the funding necessary, to make Algebra I available to all eighth-grade students by 2011. Yet it was hard to describe the energy and enthusiasm in our county when the county Office of Education unveiled "Rigorous Instruction in Mathematics," or RIM, – a three-year program for 35 middle school and high school teachers who teach Algebra I and Algebra Readiness.

Designed and implemented before the new eighth-grade Algebra I requirement, the RIM program focuses on state-of-the-art teaching strategies and a deeper mathematical understanding. Placer County teachers can be confident that they will be ahead of the curve because of proactive efforts to help them increase student understanding and therefore success in Algebra I.

Many times in education, we are asked to respond to new legislation, new theories or new practices. Often we react to these changes but do not embrace the necessity for change. However, when educators can anticipate the need for change before it's required, it is amazing how empowered one feels about the change – even during summer break.

Placer County Office of Education

360 Nevada St. Auburn, CA 95603

Phone: (530) 889-8020

www.placercoe.k12.ca.us

Students served countywide: 65,000

Number of schools served: The county office brings programs to more than 160 school sites in Placer's 16 districts.

Programs overseen:

• County, court and community schools

• Special education services

• Staff development, instruction and technical assistance

• Career and technical education for students

• Early Childhood Education services

Responsibilities:

• Financial oversight of districts' budgets

• Academic monitoring of low-performing schools

• Support to districts in the areas of business, administrative and teacher credentialing

Gayle Garbolino-Mojica is the superintendent of schools for Placer County.