Education is important at all levels of life, from early childhood education through high school, college and continuing education. The future success of the economy depends in part on how well our residents are prepared to enter the work force. Residents with a strong education help the region maintain a competitive edge to attract businesses and industry. Whether opting to obtain a degree or head straight for the workforce, young adults must be ready with a baseline set of skills and knowledge.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES
To prepare for the knowledge-based economy students must be ready to succeed in high school and beyond. Whether opting to obtain a degree or head straight for the workforce, young adults need a baseline set of skills and knowledge. A high school diploma is often the minimum requirement for an entry-level job. Unfortunately, graduation rates have been declining across the Bay Area over the past five years. In Alameda County, the graduation rate fell from 87.6% in the 2003–04 school year to 82.6% in the 2007–08 school year. Over the same period, the graduation rate in Contra Costa County fell from 90.5% to 84.0%.
HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT RATES
To prepare for the knowledge-based economy students must be ready to succeed in high school and beyond. Whether opting to obtain a degree or head straight for the workforce, young adults need a baseline set of skills and knowledge. High school dropout rates are starting to decline. In the Bay Area, the dropout rate fell from 4.7% to 4.4% between the 2006–07 and 2007–08 school years. In Alameda County, the rate dropped slightly from 4.5% to 4.4% and in Contra Costa County it dropped almost a full percent, from 5% to 4.2%. Even with falling dropout rates, it is still critical to introduce programs and policies that keep students engaged in school so they can become productive, self-sufficient members of the community.
UC/CSU ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
The number of students who complete courses required for entrance to the University of California and California State University college systems continues to increase in the Bay Area. In the East Bay, however, both Alameda and Contra Costa counties experienced a decline in the previous school year. Alameda County fell slightly from 47.5% to 46.7% and Contra Costa County significantly from 43.8%to 36.5%. Completion ensures that future students are prepared for the academic rigor necessary to obtain four-year degrees.
PER PUPIL SPENDING
One of the primary components of a robust educational infrastructure is a high level of investment from government. Annual per-pupil spending continues to increase over time with Alameda County spending $9,094 and Contra Costa County spending $8,280 per pupil in the 2007–08 school year ($603 and $290 more per pupil than the previous year, respectively). The development and maintenance of a strong education system as a foundation for educational achievement helps ensure that students are given the opportunities, tools and support they need.
ENGLISH LEARNERS
As defined by the California Department of Education, English Learner students are those students whom report a primary language other than English on the state-approved Home Language Survey and who have been determined to lack the clearly defined English language skills of listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing necessary to succeed in the school's regular instructional programs. The number of English Learners continues to rise steadily in most of the Bay Area. In Alameda County, the number of English Learners holds steady at 22.2% and rises slightly in Contra Costa County from 16.9% and 17.1% from the previous year. The challenge for this group of students lies in the fact that they must master their education in a non-native language, one in which they have to learn concurrently with other subjects. Supportive services are needed to ensure that this population is able to achieve at the same level as their native English-speaking peers.
READING SCORES
The ability to read creates a solid foundation for learning, and early intervention is critical for children who struggle with this essential skill. The number of 3rd grade children in the Bay Area who scored at or above the 50th National Percentile Rank (NPR) for reading over the last five years is trending upward, falling slightly over the past two school years. In the 2007–08 school year, 42% of Alameda County 3rd graders and 45% of Contra Costa 3rd graders scored at or above the 50th NPR. The percentage of children in both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties remained relatively the same as the previous year with the exception of Contra Costa, dropping 1%.
STUDENT TEACHER RATIOS
The primary components of a robust education infrastructure include high levels of investment from government, well trained teachers, and appropriate learning environments and tools. The student-to-teacher ratio in the Bay Area continues to hold steady at 19.8 students per teacher. In Contra Costa County, it increased slightly from 20.3 to 20.7 in the 2009 school year and continues to hold steady at 19.5 in Alameda County. Low student-to-teacher rations ensure that students are getting the attention that they need to help them succeed in school.