Annual report highlighting education in Merced County scheduled for release Thursday

Officials at the Merced County Office of Education are set to release their annual schools education report 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Downtown Professional Development Center.

According to an MCOE news release, this year’s event will include information about workforce development, job training and second chances for those on probation.

Steve Tietjen, the Merced County Superintendent of Schools, will deliver a presentation of his own, and videos produced by MCOE will be shown that focus on the office’s career and technical education programs.

“We are thrilled to share our annual report and the great work MCOE and its many partners do for communities across Merced County,” said Tietjen in an MCOE press release.

“Despite many obstacles during the past two years, we have plenty to be proud of.”

The last time MCOE held the release of its annual report in-person was February 2020 — less than a month before schools were shuttered to in-person instruction to slow the spread of COVID-19.

For those who want to attend the presentation in-person, email info@mcoe.org. MCOE officials will also make a livestream available on the office’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Also this week, on Tuesday MCOE will host the county’s STEM Fair at the Downtown Professional Development Center, located at 1715 Canal St. third floor.

The event will showcase 32 science and engineering projects from 42 students in grades five through eight, with the top three projects moving on to the California State Science and Engineering Fair to represent Merced County, according to a news release.

Participating school districts include Atwater Elementary, Merced and Our Lady of Mercy.

Judging begins at 9:30 a.m. with the awards presentation at 1:30 p.m. Judges include local scientists or professors from UC Merced, among others.