Dear Shasta County Residents,

On behalf of the Shasta County Office of Education (SCOE) and the Shasta County Board of Education, I am pleased to present our 2013 Report to the Community. This report provides a quick snapshot of the programs and services offered at SCOE, and it showcases the incredible work achieved every day to help students succeed in our schools throughout Shasta County.

Our mission at SCOE is: "To provide leadership and assistance to the districts and community partners in Shasta County to ensure all students have equal access to a quality education that prepares them to graduate from high school and obtain a high-skilled, high-wage career.” Whether it's accessing professional development opportunities from our Instructional Services Department, finding appropriate preschool and child care for the 0-5 population through our Early Childhood Services Department, providing direct services for at-risk students and students with special needs, or helping local school districts with financial management or technology access through our Administrative Services Department, SCOE serves as a vital hub of support to our local schools.

SCOE is committed to helping local school districts prepare teachers and students to meet the challenges of the 21st century through Common Core professional development and other trainings. Among our priorities are increasing student academic success, expanding access to quality preschools and after-school programs, providing access to world-class instruction in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) through the Schreder Planetarium and Whiskeytown Environmental School, and increasing opportunities for students in Shasta County to succeed beyond high school either through attendance in a college, university, trade school, the armed forces, or directly entering the work force after high school. Through our REACH HIGHER Shasta initiative, we are partnering with local school districts to ensure the tools are in place for the students to be successful. Learn more about this initiative at www.ReachHigherShasta.com.

Every generation strives to leave the world a better place for the next generation. A well-rounded educational experience is crucial for the development of a child, and we understand it is our duty to ensure students are successful when they leave our schools. We take the responsibility of both educating your children and keeping them safe while at school very seriously. We are excited to open up new opportunities for our students to reach new heights in their lives as they discover their hidden talents and abilities as they learn and grow.

If you have any questions or need further information on the programs and services provided by the Shasta County Office of Education and/or the success of our students in Shasta County, please do not hesitate to call us at (530) 225-0227.

Tom Armelino
Shasta County Superintendent of Schools