Orange County’s latest Community Indicators Report is out, pulling together compelling data and trends related to the local economy, housing, income and health.
Naturally, education was also a major focus of the 72-page report, which was produced by several foundations, businesses and agencies, including OCDE.
Among its findings, only 52 percent of children in Orange County were considered developmentally ready for kindergarten in 2016. Yet Orange County’s high school dropout rate of 5.4 percent was much lower than the statewide rate of 9.8 percent.
Meanwhile, the percentage of high schoolers taking career technical education courses in STEM subjects spiked 40 percent over a two-year span, reflecting recent efforts to expand career pathway opportunities for students through such programs as OC Pathways.
Orange County Register reporter Margot Roosevelt interviewed County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares to discuss the educational metrics outlined in the report for this story that appeared in Sunday’s newspaper.
Here’s some more education news from the week:
- The Capistrano Unified school board voted to fill a soon-to-be vacant seat by provisional appointment rather than holding a costly special election.
- Immunization rates are up for local kindergarteners thanks to a 2014 state law that eliminated personal belief exemptions, according to an audit by the Orange County Grand Jury.
- The Orange County Register compiled a list of graduation schedules and locations for high schools and colleges in Orange County.
- Beginning in 2018, voters in the Tustin Unified School District will elect school board members by trustee area instead of at-large.
- The Orange Unified School District unveiled plans to construct a $40 million science center at El Modena High School using funds from the voter-backed Measure S.
- A group of international middle schoolers who have distinguished themselves in science and engineering traveled to Southern California to take part in science-themed events through the Broadcom Foundation’s Masters International program.
- A student from Edison High School in Huntington Beach has written and self-published a book about losing her younger sister to cancer.
- Orange County is sending two student-created websites and three documentaries to Maryland to compete in next month’s Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest.
- ODCE’s Orange County Friday Night Live Partnership recognized a community group, two schools and a pair of advisors for engaging young people in alcohol and drug prevention activities at their schools and community centers.
- Last weekend, Orange High School hosted its Future Farmers of America’s Farm Fest, which included a showcase of student agricultural projects and a petting zoo.
- Students from two Westminster middle schools competed in their first-ever archery tournament, taking their best shots at targets about nine meters away.