Learning Loss

In spite of state covid school closures, Ed Short worked hard to help reopen schools and to provide the appropriate resources for our kid's quick recovery from learning loss. The big challenge for parents and kids today is to address the academic and social emotional impact of distancing learning, school closures and learning loss. Ed Short has heard hundreds of parents across the district share how the pandemic and school closures is affecting their children’s present and potentially their future. Parents and teachers are doing the best they can right now in the pandemic recovery stage, but they can’t do it alone. Ed Short is fighting hard for the next generation by making sure we invest more in state, federal, and local funding for years to come to give our kids what they need to catch up, recover, and thrive. Presently, Ed Short is helping with the district’s learning loss strategies to close the achievement gap. Refer to STRATEGIES to SUPPORT STUDENT SUPPORT and LEARNING LOSS

Teacher Recruitment and Retention

Ed Short will continue to increase the number of certified teachers and keep class sizes small. Competitive wages and benefits keep our diligent, caring leaders in our schools. These leaders come from diverse backgrounds that relate to our Mather and Rancho Cordova families and most important students to reach optimal learning levels in these times.

Expand Career Technical Education (CTE) and Innovative Programs

Ed Short makes sure our schools understand the importance of teaching ‘basics for the 21st century’ so our students can be successful in college or the workplace. The quantity of CTE students is significant and can aid in job loss and current employment opportunities.

Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) is an example of innovation. Ed Short was instrumental in initiation and bringing this program to schools with more local control and support through the district. This saved the district millions of dollars.

Ed Short will continue expand Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Ed was instrumental bringing STEM education to the district. He helped approve and implement the National recognized Riverview STEM school in Rancho Cordova. Ed was involved recently in public workshops to create strategies to expand these types of great programs in the Rancho Cordova. Ed has supported and expanded CTE programs over the years for the district which is on the leading edge for our kids. One example is the FFA program in Rancho Cordova. This program is presently impacted and expanding rapidly.

Closing in on the achievement gap—test scores in Rancho schools:

Ed Short will continue to help to close the achievement gap. Below is a message to the FCUSD community about the first student performance and progress after COVID. FCUSD was one of two school districts in all of California that outperformed all other districts! There is alot more work to do for our kids from working class families in Rancho Cordova. Ed will continue to make sure the resources are available for these kids and families to succeed.

MESSAGE TO FAMILIES

Student assessment results released by the state

Dear FCUSD Community:

The recent release of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) revealed that overall, student achievement across the state declined. See this data chart to search for Folsom Cordova Unified School District and Sacramento County school districts. California CAASPP Smarter Balanced Test Results | EdSource

While FCUSD outperformed all other county districts, our students showed declines in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math performance by 3%, with unduplicated students demonstrating declines of 5 - 6%. However, some student groups showed increases. English language learners increased ELA performance by 2% and students with disabilities increased math performance by 1%.

No one in education wants to see declines and that includes FCUSD. We are, however, pleased that our test results outpaced districts in the county and the state. The fact that FCUSD was one of the first districts to return students to in-person instruction contributed to the direct instructional connections that supported learning success.

We also know that the high caliber of educational professionals and support staff at FCUSD carried student learning through the difficult months of the pandemic at the highest levels possible. The people behind these and other programs; our teachers, administrators, and staff who went the extra mile with long hours and heartfelt dedication to students, are why FCUSD continues to shine as a leader amongst school districts.

We take these test scores very seriously, and as we move forward, will use the data to address supports where there are gaps in learning. It is also important to remember that tests are only one measure, at one point in time, of student achievement. Social-emotional learning, skill-based learning, and extra-curricular activities are also factors for learning success.

The pandemic created significant learning impacts at FCUSD. For many students - including every student in grades 3 through 5 - these results represent the first time ever taking a standardized test. Some school sites experienced significant absences. We recognize that many learning challenges also existed prior to the pandemic. Considerable attention has been placed District-wide on Essential Standards, investment in Professional Learning Communities, and student interventions. FCUSD will continue moving forward with creative and robust strategies to address learning achievement so that all students will be empowered to thrive through educational excellence.

Sarah Koligian, Ed.D

Superintendent

Folsom Cordova Unified School District

Safe Schools:

Ed Short will ensure that the schools and their personnel are responsible for creating learning environments that are safe and secure. Ed understands that first responders, community partners, and families play an essential role, as well. FCUSD Schools must be prepared to respond to emergencies including natural and man-made hazards and strive to prevent violence and behavior issues that undermine safety and security. Ed Short will ensure that district's safe schools goals include strategies aimed at the prevention of, and education about, potential incidents involving crime and violence on the school campus and aspects of social, emotional, and physical safety for both youth and adults.

Ed Short has helped create and participated in FCUSD safety committee for the last year and has participated on many other safety committees over the years. He is making sure that the district designates stakeholders to consistently engage in a systematic planning process to develop strategies and policies to prevent and respond to potential incidents involving emergencies, natural and other disasters, hate crimes, violence, active assailants/intruders, bullying and cyberbullying, discrimination and harassment, child abuse and neglect, discipline, suspension and expulsion, and other safety aspects.

Ed has extensive experience in making sure effective school safety planning is a dynamic, ongoing process with plans being reviewed and evaluated regularly by the school board, and after critical incidents.