Merced district needs parent input for education plan

The Merced City School District plans to hold more meetings to update parents on the Local Control Accountability Plan – a road map for how the district intends to meet goals for all students with specific activities and curriculum that address its priorities for learning.

Elena Castro, the director of curriculum and categorical programs, said the district is working to make sure the meetings and the process are transparent, and leaders need input from parents.

The district has begun to lay the groundwork for the plan and wants to update parents on the process. The meetings are also an open forum, where people can ask questions and pitch ideas.

Last year, meetings averaged more than 50 people, according to district leaders. California school districts that receive their state money through the Local Control Funding Formula are required to develop the plan.

The plan is supposed to identify the needs of local students and the steps the district has planned to make improvements. Parents, students, community members, classified and certificated employees, administrators and board members are involved in setting goals and priorities.

The plan has a focus that covers the full implementation of Common Core instructional practices and development of career pathways that prepare students for college or careers. It also focuses on technology and the district’s migration to computer devices for all students, according to district leaders.

Castro stressed that the three meetings will repeat the same information, so parents need only to attend one.

▪  5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Tenaya Middle School, 760 W. Eighth St.

▪  5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at Cruickshank Middle School, 601 Mercy Ave.

▪  5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Hoover Middle School, 800 E. 26th St.

This story was originally published February 8, 2015 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Merced district needs parent input for education plan."