TO: NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
AND EDUCATION
COMMITTEE
FROM: Jill Bourne
SUBJECT: Education Strategy Annual
Report
DATE: October 28, 2024
Approved Date:
11/6/2024
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the annual report on the Education Strategy for Fiscal Year 2023-2024, including program outcomes and progress toward implementation of quality standards.
BACKGROUND
On May 7, 2018, City Council unanimously approved the Education and Digital Literacy (EDL) Strategy1, and designated the San José Public Library (“Library”) as lead department, with direction to devise and implement a comprehensive educational policy and workplan for the following educational development areas:
Early Education – Entering School Ready to Learn and Succeed; Learning by Grade Level Proficiency – Expanding Education Beyond the School Day;
College and Career – Providing Meaningful Supports and Opportunities on Pathways to Self-Sufficiency;
Digital Literacy – Ensuring Access, Affordability, and Adoption; and, Policy and Governance – Ensuring evaluation and accountability for program quality and expenditure of resources.
Since then, Program Quality Standards have been adopted for each educational development area. On February 11, 2020, the City’s Education Policy 0-302 was approved and adopted by City Council. On February 8, 2022, City Council unanimously approved the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Quality Standards as part of the EDL 1 https://sanjose.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=604595&GUID=A678879F-AAB0-411B-AACC7448FBA01821&Options=&Search= 2 https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=8047051&GUID=15994766-35DE-4026-B209- 8E2F0778C49F
COMMITTEE AGENDA: 11/14/2024
ITEM: (d)1
NEIGHBORHOOD AND EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 28, 2024
Subject: Education Strategy Annual Report
Strategy.3 The five sets of Quality Standards deepen the work of the EDL Strategy, making these the City’s first quality requirements for citywide offered programs to prioritize and assess efforts based on impact in achieving the principles of equity, inclusion, diversity, and anti-racism.
Although Digital Literacy will remain a plank in the Education Strategy, this topic will be reported as part of the Broadband and Digital Equity program update to the City Council in Spring 2025.
Staff presented the Education Strategy annual update to the Library and Education Commission on October 16, 2024, and to the Youth Commission on October 28, 2024.
ANALYSIS
Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Overview
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24, the City of San José (City) continued its commitment and investment by providing opportunities, resources, and supports to improve and expand the educational and learning outcomes for children, youth, and adults. Each area of the Education Strategy progressed in program development and increased levels of program quality. Participation in key focus areas includes:
87,674 young children participated in quality early learning experiences such as storytimes and recreation preschool, an increase of 24.7% over FY 2022-23; 82,188 school-aged students participated in academic support programs such as SJ Learns, homework help, and STEM workshops, and extracurricular programs that promote health and engagement such as the ROCK/ASES afterschool programs, with an overall Expanded Learning plank increase of 36.5% from FY 2022-23; 4,141 youth participated in workforce development or college readiness programs such as Resilience Corps or SJ Works, an increase of 12% from FY 2022-23; 34,131 adults participated in continuing education and enrichment such as ELL/ESL classes, literacy workshops and other library programs, a 45% increase from FY 2022-23.
Staff from across City departments also provided significant support to the development of the Children and Youth Services Master Plan to ensure alignment with the Education Strategy. Staff prioritized the City's ongoing commitment to our partnerships with Local Education Agencies (LEAs) through the work of the Schools/City Collaborative.
In FY 2024-25, staff will continue to place emphasis on implementation of the Education Strategy, pilot high-level programmatic data analysis processes, expand quality 3 https://sanjose.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5392200&GUID=88E75608-77BD-4634-B6FF8CBD0547BEC9
NEIGHBORHOOD AND EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 28, 2024
Subject: Education Strategy Annual Report
assessments and improvement plans to new programs, and continue to collaborate with City staff on the implementation of the Children and Youth Services Master Plan.
This memorandum will provide updates on implementation of the Education Strategy Action Items, highlight key programs under each development area, include data for FY 2023-24 and current plans for FY 2024-25.
Early Education – Entering School Ready to Learn and Succeed The Library and Parks Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) Department provide programs that are designed to meet the needs of children, ages 0-5, and their caregivers. This memorandum will highlight two citywide early education programs - San José Recreation Preschool and Library storytime programming.
San José Recreation Preschool
The San José Recreation Preschool (SJRP) is administered by PRNS as a licenseexempt childcare and early education program for families, with the overarching goal of supporting families with children from ages 3 to 5 years old, educational and recreational experiences that support their child's imaginative, physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. In FY 2023-2024, PRNS served 360 unduplicated children, reflecting a 25.8% annual growth in enrollment.
SJRP GOALS AND OUTCOMES
Goal FY 2023-2024 Outcome
Implement Early Education Quality Standards
Assessments for continuous improvement, as
well as PALS4 and ELLCO5 assessments
Met Proficient Quality Standard across 18
classrooms (Almaden, Berryessa, Camden,
Emma Prusch Park & Farm, Evergreen, Kirk,
Millbrook, Mayfair, Noble, Roosevelt, Seven
Trees, Southside, and Willow Glen)
Implement best practices and strategies in
early care and education
Partnership with FIRST 5 of Santa Clara
County,
Applied Survey Research (ASR), and Kate
Horst, developer of SEEDS curriculum
Pre- and Post-assessments completed
establish baseline and evaluate growth
“Exemplary” rating increased by 22% going
from 28% pre assessment to 50% post
assessment
32% of classroom providers were rated as
“Strong”, representing a 51% increase from
the prior year
4 PALS or Phonologial Awareness Literacy Screening, commonly called PALS, is a standardized literacy screening test. 5 ELLCO or Early Language & Literacy Classroom Observation Toolkit is a classroom observation measure that assesses the quality of the classroom environment and teacher practices across five key elements: classroom structure, curriculum, the language environment, books and book reading opportunities, and print and early writing support. The measure is primarily designed for administrators and teachers of preschool and early elementary classrooms to use for professional development and program improvement.
NEIGHBORHOOD AND EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 28, 2024
Subject: Education Strategy Annual Report
Goal FY 2023-2024 Outcome
Promote educational equity by expanding its
tuition scholarship program
Scholarship program supported approximately
196 children from families with limited
financial resources (39.2% increase)
Promotes positive adult relationships with
participants, healthy activity, and
kindergarten readiness
More than 50% of parents surveyed indicated
that their children were better prepared for
school after attending SJRP and indicated
that
they had enrolled their children because of
well-trained staff, safe environment, and cost
Current year focus: FY 2024-2025 scholarships, totaling $220,382, are funded by the City (75%) and an allocation of the American Rescue Plan (25%), covering full or partial program enrollment costs for 63 students. Among the scholarship recipients, 41 students (65%) received full coverage for their program costs, and 22 students were awarded partial scholarships for at least 25% of their costs, which includes pro-rated enrollment for students who joined the program after it had already started. The cost-effectiveness of the SJRP program benefits parents and caregivers, who can pursue education and employment while their children are in quality care.
Library Preschool Storytime
The Library provided over 3,255 early education programs for 87,314 children and their caregivers across all 25 library locations, constituting 25% growth in programming and 24% growth in the number of participants over the previous year. These programs, encompassing storytime, kindergarten readiness, and art and science enrichment, serve as a critical resource for the community, offering free, high-quality early learning experiences that support child development and school readiness.
STORYTIME PROGRAM GOALS AND OUTCOMES
Goal FY 2023-2024 Outcomes*
Implement Early Education Quality Standards
Assessments for continuous improvement
Met Proficient Standard across 25 library
locations
Provide quality literary experiences and
support kindergarten readiness by enhancing
early learning programs.
100% of the early learning programs offered
align with the CA Preschool Learning
Foundations and Early Education Quality
Standards, ensuring high-quality,
developmentally appropriate experiences for
all participants
NEIGHBORHOOD AND EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 28, 2024
Subject: Education Strategy Annual Report
Goal FY 2023-2024 Outcomes*
Provide caregiver support and greater
awareness of child learning opportunities
94% expressed satisfaction/high satisfaction
with program quality
89% agreed/completely agreed that programs
have enhanced their parenting skills,
particularly in fostering literacy through
reading, talking, playing, and singing
Bridge the gap in early learning by providing
equitable access to children not enrolled in
formal programs, addressing disparities in
underserved communities to ensure school
readiness and future success for all
66% of children in SJPL's early education
programs were not enrolled in formal early
learning
67% of early learning program attendees
were children under the age of 3
76% of program participants are from Black
Indigenous People of Color communities, with
a significant focus on Hispanic/Latinx
populations
*The 2023-24 Caregiver Survey captured insights from parents and caregivers whose children participated in the Library’s early education programs.
Current year focus: A recent kindergarten readiness assessment in Santa Clara County revealed that only 37% of 952 children were fully ready for kindergarten in 2023, down from 50% in 2018, with a significant decline in social-emotional skills.6 In response, in FY 2024-2025, Library staff is focusing on enhancing school readiness by integrating socialemotional learning into all early education programs. Staff will develop and share resources to incorporate social-emotional development opportunities during storytime and offering caregivers tools to reinforce these concepts at home. These efforts will be formalized through the development of an early education logic model, aligning with the City’s Children and Youth Services Master Plan.
Learning by Grade Level Proficiency – Expanding Education Beyond the School Day
Grade-level proficiency impacts San José students across all neighborhoods and has been proven to be one of the leading indicators of later academic success in students of all demographics.
Upon adoption of the Expanded Learning Quality Standards (ELQS) by the City Council in March 20207, City Departments began applying the ELQS to all City-sponsored programs for expanded learning. The ELQS support program planning, improvement plans, and a shared culture of high-quality City expanded learning programs. This memo highlights afterschool programs - R.O.C.K. Afterschool, ASES, and SJ Learns including Tutoring Matters.
6 Santa Clara County Office of Education/Applied Survey Research. School Readiness Snapshot of Findings From the Fall 2018 Assessment in Santa Clara County
7 https://sanjose.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3927374&GUID=4059FDA9-EF42-4745-B78D6F4A4B0EB63F&Options=&Search=
NEIGHBORHOOD AND EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 28, 2024
Subject: Education Strategy Annual Report
R.O.C.K. Afterschool, ASES, and PRNS Youth Center Programs PRNS served more than 2,480 unduplicated students through the Recreation of City Kids (R.O.C.K.) programs at 26 afterschool sites; one After School Education and Safety (ASES) program; ten youth and teen centers; and 671 unduplicated youth at a variety of Camp San José programs throughout the year.
Current year focus: As part of PRNS’s continued efforts to align with the ELQS, PRNS hosted site-level 24-25 School Year Professional Development trainings in August 2024.
Throughout the academic year, program staff will conduct pre- and post-assessments utilizing the ELQS and develop quality improvements plans.
PRNS will continue to explore strategies to expand affordable access to youth programming and ELQS 6: Equity, Diversity and Access. To increase access to R.O.C.K.
Afterschool, PRNS has leveraged partnerships with school districts to utilize Expanded Learning Opportunity Program dollars and worked with community partners like CEFCU to provide additional scholarships.
San José Learns, Tutoring Matters, and Library Expanded Learning The Library offered more than 3,754 free programs and activities designed for afterschool including class visits at all 25 library locations throughout San José with a total attendance of 82,188 program participants. This constitutes a 36.5% increase in the total number of participants over 2022-2023.
R.O.C.K., ASES, YOUTH CENTER GOALS AND OUTCOMES
Goal FY 2023-2024 Outcomes
Alignment of programs with adopted ELQS
Hosted 4 hours of site-level 23-24 School
Year Professional Development trainings for
all 160 part-time unbenefited employees
75% of survey respondents reported that
R.O.C.K/ASES programs actively engage
participants in healthy recreation activities and
encourage healthy eating
Conduct program evaluations to assess
safety, healthy activities and recreation,
academic support, and human interactions
Evaluations completed for R.O.C.K.
Afterschool (September 2023), ASES
programs (February 2024), and City of San
José Youth Centers (April 2024) - average
score of Meets Standard
Host annual Citywide Summer Recreation
Leader Training on June 6, 2024
The training supported nearly 245 part-time
unbenefited staff with 8 hours of professional
development training, which included new and
returning employees
NEIGHBORHOOD AND EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 28, 2024
Subject: Education Strategy Annual Report
San José (SJ) Learns, a City-funded grant program, provides school districts with resources that leverage their budgets and selected program providers to ensure improved learning outcomes, vital interventions, and expanded access to high-quality out-of-school-time programs for at-risk youth. Through a one-time allocation of American Rescue Plan funds, the Library and the San José Public Library Foundation offered Tutoring Matters, an additional grant opportunity for high-quality tutoring services to students in 4th-12th grade, aiming to offset the impact of pandemic-related learning loss and uplift youth to higher levels of academic achievement. *Midyear FY 2023-24 data, full report available in November 2024 Current year focus: In addition to the annual evaluation of learning outcomes in the SJ Learns program, an assessment of Tutoring Matters’ quality and outcomes is forthcoming as funding is exhausted at the end of FY 2024-25. The Maker[Space]Ship, a popular service in providing outreach and programming to schools and afterschool sites, was eliminated in the 2024-2025 Adopted Operating Budget. The Library will continue strengthening partnerships with LEAs by increasing Student Library card and Educator card engagement through increased marketing efforts and staff training. To enhance
LIBRARY EL, SJ LEARNS, & TUTORING MATTERS GOALS AND OUTCOMES Goal FY 2023-2024 Outcomes
Alignment of programs with adopted ELQS
Assessments conducted at all 25 Library
locations; action plans developed to include
continued focus on Safe and Supportive
Environments, Active and Engaged Learning,
Diversity, Access and Equity, and Quality
Staff, and Program Management
SJ Learns (K-3 Students) serve the students
most at-risk of not reaching proficiency in
English-Language Arts and/or Math
Served 773 students at four LEAs across 22
schools *
Assessments demonstrate 78% of student
participants improve in both reading literacy
and math skills *
Tutoring Matters (Grades 4-12) provide highquality tutoring services to high-needs students
$1.6 million distributed and encumbered
across 6 grantee organizations, serving 2,687
students across 8 local education agencies
Maker[Space]Ship offers high-quality handson S.T.E.M programs Provided 159 programs (such as earthquake
engineering, owl pellet dissections, stopmotion animation, Sphero robotics experiences, and egg drop challenges) to
11,183 participants
Expand access to Library materials to TK-12
students with Student Library Cards
92,722 student library cards for TK-12
students at 20 local education agencies
across 195 school campuses
Support educators with Educator Library
Cards to enhance their instruction and
curriculum
860 educator cards for TK-12 educators with
253 new cards added in FY 23 24
NEIGHBORHOOD AND EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 28, 2024
Subject: Education Strategy Annual Report
reading literacy program efficacy, the Library will explore the Science of Reading8 strategies and incorporate these principles into programs and services.
College and Career – Providing Meaningful Supports and Opportunities on Pathways to Self-Sufficiency
As of July 1, 2024, the living wage for a single adult in San José9 is $27.98 per hour. The City plays a role in helping community members achieve economic stability and prosperity, which includes the development of college and career pathways and aligned systems of support.
The College and Career Readiness Quality Standards (CCRQS)10 were adopted by City Council in December 2020. In November 202111, Library staff presented the quality standard assessment tool and logic model to the Neighborhood Services and Education Committee. Since then, the CCRQS has been implemented in six additional City departments with college and career programs: Fire, Human Resources, Housing, Office of Economic Development/work2future, PRNS, and Public Works.
Key programs include the Career Online High School (COHS), Resilience Corps, and San José Works Youth Jobs Initiative.
Career Online High School
Launched in 2016, COHS offers adult learners in San José ages 19 and older the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and a career certificate in one of nine highdemand career fields. The program must be completed within 18 months, and the average learner spends 13 months in the program.
Resilience Corps
Launched in 2021, the Resilience Corps is a workforce development program for young adults ages 18-30, currently funded through the California Volunteers State Office for the #CaliforniansForAll Youth Service Corps. The program creates opportunities for young adults, addresses learning needs of youth, and builds community resilience. Grant funding for this program has been secured through December 2025. Staff intends to continue seeking grant funding for programming in 2026.
All participants in FY 2023-24 faced one or more of the following barriers to employment:
low-income,
first-generation college students,
unemployed and/or out of school,
8 https://improvingliteracy.org/brief/science-reading-basics/index.html 9 https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/public-works/labor-compliance/living-wage 10 https://www.sjpl.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/142/2023/09/edl-quality-standards-college-and-career-readiness.pdf 11 https://sanjose.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5159738&GUID=D25246E6-4DCC-45FC-A70C59941135E00A&Options=&Search=
NEIGHBORHOOD AND EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 28, 2024
Subject: Education Strategy Annual Report
have difficulty finding employment,
transitioning from foster care,
are or were justice-involved,
are or were engaged with the mental health or substance abuse system, and/or live in low-resource census tracts.
The Resilience Corps program is divided into two career pathways:
Learning Pathway: Learning Pathway Resilience Corps Associates gain hands-on experience in the educational field and develop transferable skills to support them on pathways to/after college and career. At their worksites, participants led STEMbased programs for K-12 students impacted by pandemic-related learning loss, while ensuring access to career support and living wages as they pursue higher education and give back to their community. This pathway is organized by the Library and facilitated by the San José Public Library Foundation. Resilience Corps Climate Change Pathway: The Climate Change program provides participants with the opportunity to develop professional skills and gain experience working on natural resource management projects in the City of San José with state, county, and local potential employers. This includes critical infrastructure and landscape management projects: park and trail maintenance, wildfire prevention, habitat restoration, watershed protection, tree planting, and other conservation projects. This pathway is organized by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services.
San José Works Youth Jobs Initiative
San José Works Youth Jobs Initiative (SJ Works) is a partnership between the City’s Office of Economic Development/work2future and the San José Youth Empowerment Alliance.
This program began in FY 2015-16 to provide youth with employment services, career awareness regarding high wage, high growth jobs, and critical life skill instruction that includes leadership development, financial literacy, job counseling, mentoring, job readiness training, and supportive services.
The subsidized SJ Works program is a paid internship for San José youth (ages 14-18) who meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
live in an area with an identified gang presence or opportunity neighborhood, CalWORKs/Cal Fresh recipients,
foster or former foster youth, justice engaged,
receive free/reduce lunch, or are
homeless, or at risk of homelessness.
The unsubsidized program is open to San José residents (ages 16-29) who are in search of employment paid directly paid by an employer or employment services. Program participants receive employment services such as resume building, mock interview practice, job search, access to job fairs and job leads, and Metrix learning certification.
NEIGHBORHOOD AND EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 28, 2024
Subject: Education Strategy Annual Report
COHS, RESILIENCE CORPS, & SJ WORKS GOALS AND OUTCOMES
Goal FY 2023-2024 Outcomes
Continue high performance of Career Online
High School (COHS) program
57 adults awarded scholarships; 28 graduates
completed program with a high school
diploma and career certificate (total 191
graduates)
Ensure equitable access to COHS program,
high school graduation, and career
opportunities
98% of COHS participants are Black
Indigenous People of Color, particularly
Hispanic/Latinx populations
Provide meaningful career training and living
wage experiences to young adults through the
Resilience Corps: Learning Pathway program
Associates worked 21,172 hours, earning a
living wage; received career development
training from Envision Your Pathway and
wrap-around services to support program
participants in attaining permanent
employment post-program
Support expanded learning programs in
partner agencies through Resilience Corps:
Learning Pathway program
84% of participants (42 of 50) completed term
of service with the Boys & Girls Club of Silicon
Valley, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara
County, Mount Pleasant After School
Program, PRNS, and the Library
Ensure equitable access and opportunities
through Resilience Corps: Learning Pathway
program
96% of participants identified as Black,
Indigenous, People of Color and 72% are first
generation college students first generation
college students first generation college
students first generation college students first
generation college students first generation
college students first generation college
students first generation college students
Provide living wage employment and
experiences through the Resilience Corps:
Climate Change Pathway
72% of participants (110 of 152) completed
the program for a total of 133,904 employed
hours
Provide support experiences that enhance
skills toward long-term employment
Corps members participate in City program
“externship” such as park maintenance,
earning on-the-job experience in a
maintenance program/route, gaining valuable
skills and insight into City service and an
understanding of working in a team to achieve
a common goal
Support ongoing employment opportunities
for Resilience Corps: Climate Change
Pathway participants
54 participants entered PRNS Internship
program, placed directly with City work crews
to gain hands-on work experience. 29 interns
(54%) were hired into permanent positions
with the City since program inception
Provide subsidized and unsubsidized
employment opportunities to youth through
the SJ Works program
813 youth and young adults were employed, a
slight decrease of 2% from 2022-2023
NEIGHBORHOOD AND EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 28, 2024
Subject: Education Strategy Annual Report
Current year focus: Staff will continue to implement the CCRQS and enhance college and career program coordination efforts citywide. PRNS plans to expand the Resilience Corps: Climate Change Pathway internship program to include training opportunities with Park Rangers, as well as within other City departments to further prepare participants for successful careers. Library staff will provide an annual report to the Library and Education Commission in January 2025 and include in the Neighborhood Services and Education report on the Children and Youth Services Master Plan in April 2025.
Children and Youth Services Master Plan (CYSMP)
On April 9, 2024, City Council approved the CYSMP. The CYSMP provides a strategic framework and approach to disrupting the systemic racism, structural barriers, persistent inequities, and generational trauma that continues to widen the socio-economic, educational, health, and housing gap.
While all seven priority areas are important in the overall long-term outcomes for children, youth, and adults, the table below shows how the focus areas of the Education Strategy most closely align with the focus areas of the CYSMP. Several priority efforts managed outside of the Education Strategy align with the CYSMP, such as citywide efforts to address homelessness through Beautify SJ.
CYSMP AND EDUCATION STRATEGY ALIGNMENT
CYSMP Priority Areas Education Strategy Areas
Early Learning and Child Care Early Education
Learning and Empowerment Expanded Learning, Adult Services Meaningful and Sustaining Jobs College & Career Pathways, Adult Services
Safe, Clean, and Connected Communities All Education Strategy areas Systems Transformation: A City of San
Jose System of Care “Safety Net”
All Education Strategy areas
Goal FY 2023-2024 Outcomes
Place SJ Works program participants in
priority sector and/or demand occupations
with local host employers
All subsidized youth placed in occupations
related to information technology, advanced
manufacturing, health care,
construction/trades, and business/accounting.
Host employers included Roku, NK
Technologies, CreaTV, Better Business
Bureau and City Departments
Support ongoing employment for SJ Works
participants
438 clients in the unsubsidized program
secured full-time or part-time employment
either independently or with an SJ Works job
coach. Employers include City of San José,
County of Santa Clara, U.S. Postal Service,
Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, aquatic safety
programs.
NEIGHBORHOOD AND EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 28, 2024
Subject: Education Strategy Annual Report
*The CYSMP Priority areas of Health and Mental Wellness, as well as Housing Access and Security, are led through other City initiatives.
Staff will continue to work collaboratively across departments and with community partners to ensure continued Education Strategy alignment and leveraging of resources and supports to realize the vision of the Children and Youth Services Master Plan.
Adult Literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL)
Literacy programs are a key component of library offerings, including ESL programs, conversation clubs, book clubs, and other reading and writing focused activities. The community demand for adult literacy programming is reflected in the fact that 30% of adult programming provided by Library staff is Literacy or ESL focused. As such, Adult Literacy and ESL programs are now included in this report, showcasing the full spectrum of education-support programs offered citywide.
ADULT LITERACY GOALS AND OUTCOMES
Goal FY 2023-2024 Outcome
Support adult literacy through oral and written
skills building
393 adult learners in the Library’s Adult
Literacy and ESL programs received support
from 149 trained tutors who provided 9,027
instructional hours of support
Foster shared learning and reading practices
for adults and their families
2,251 books were distributed through the
Together We Read program to provide
access to quality books and encourage family
literacy practices
69 adult learners and their families
participated in 5 Family Literacy Events,
learning to incorporate literacy activities in the
home and receiving books to develop home
libraries
107 adult learners and their families visited
local parks and arts performances for
experiential English learning
Deepen learning opportunities for English
language learners with strategic community
partnerships
2,848 students completed non-credit ESL
courses from Evergreen Valley Community
College across 5 library branches (Dr.
Roberto Cruz Alum Rock, Educational Park,
Edenvale, Hillview and Seven Trees)
2,094 students participated in ESL courses
led by East Side Adult Education at Alum
Rock, Hillview, and Seven Trees library
branches
Current year focus: Budget reductions included with the 2024-2025 Adopted Operating Budget resulted in the elimination of adult literacy positions and the closure of the adult literacy office at King Library. In response to the reductions, the Library decentralized
NEIGHBORHOOD AND EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 28, 2024
Subject: Education Strategy Annual Report
adult literacy services and will refocus on bringing ESL, Citizenship, health and wellness opportunities, and local resources to be delivered through Family Learning Centers at nine library locations.
In alignment with the CYSMP, the Library launched a pilot effort to modify the management structure and bring additional staff resources to Hillview and Seven Trees Branch Libraries, locations that support the Poco Way/Mayfair and the Santee/Seven Trees demonstration areas, respectively. Moving forward, the Library will report on the progress of these initiatives as part of the Education Strategy update in Fall 2025.
Policy and Governance
As outlined in Education Policy 0-3012 formal relationships were established between the City, Santa Clara County Office of Education, and LEAs through the Schools/City Collaborative to ensure positive communication and address areas of common interest for San José students.
In AY 2023-24, the Schools/City Collaborative convened in October 2023, focusing on the Department of Transportation School Safety survey and updates on the Children and Youth Services Master Plan, and the Digital Equity citywide priority. At the May 2024 convening, the Schools/City Collaborative shared top priority areas as identified by the Spring 2024 survey that include safe passage to schools, coordination of student and family-focused resources, and post-secondary educational opportunities/transition after high school.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
As part of the Education Strategy, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Quality Standards (EDIQS) provide the framework through which City educational programs may be assessed for centering and advancing equity.
In Spring 2024, the Library assessed ten adult programs in alignment with the EDIQS.
The programs evaluated included citizenship classes, a book club, English Language Learning, and the Pinoytown exhibit in the Library’s California Room. Participating staff received individual support sessions and identified corresponding priority actions in Improvement Plans to enhance at least one of six Quality Standard areas. Staff will revise their programs and assess changes in their assessments in Spring 2025.
In Fall 2024, the EDIQS pilot process will expand to include three programs implemented by other City departments. City staff will participate in an onboarding meeting and have access to individual support from Library staff to administer the Assessment and develop the corresponding Improvement Plans.
12 https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=8047051&GUID=15994766-35DE-4026-B209-8E2F0778C49F
NEIGHBORHOOD AND EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE
October 28, 2024
Subject: Education Strategy Annual Report
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Library and Early Education Commission, Parks Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department, the City Attorney’s Office, and San José Works Youth Jobs Initiative.
/s/
JILL BOURNE
Director, Library Department
For questions, please contact Vidya Kilambi, Division Manager, at [email protected].
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Education Strategy Program Summaries