Published January 20, 2023

As part of the release of the California School Dashboard in December, the State identified school districts eligible for Differentiated Assistance in the 2022-23 school year. Among the qualified districts are 14 school districts in San Mateo County. Charter schools were not considered for differentiated assistance in 2022, but will be eligible in 2023.

Eligibility for differentiated assistance is typically determined using a series of criteria across eight priority areas. To help ensure the needs of all students are met, the State looks at how well individual student groups met the eligibility criteria. For example, if Students with Disabilities in a district experienced very high levels of chronic absenteeism (priority area 5) and very high suspension rates (priority area 6), the State would identify that district as eligible for Differentiated Assistance.

However, in 2022, due to interruptions caused by the pandemic, only three priority areas were used in making differentiated assistance determinations. Districts with a minimum of one student group meeting the criteria in at least two priority areas qualify for differentiated assistance. See table below.

Priority Area* Eligibility Criteria
4. Pupil Achievement Very Low Status on both the English Language Arts and Mathematics Academic Indicators 
or
Very Low Status on the English Learner Progress Indicator
5. Pupil Engagement Very Low Status on the Graduation Rate Indicator
or
Very High Status on the Chronic Absenteeism Indicator
6. School Climate  Very High Status on the Suspension Rate Indicator

*Only Priority Areas 4, 5, and 6 were considered in 2022, California Department of Education.

Unlike previous years, the 2022 California Dashboard reported data for only one year (2021-22) and not progress compared to the previous year. Eligibility for Differentiated Assistance similarly does not take into consideration whether progress has been made over time. The 2022 data establishes a new baseline or starting point for measuring school and district progress in meeting the educational needs of the students they serve.

Differentiated Assistance is part of the California System of Support with its overarching goal to “help districts and charter schools meet the needs of each student they serve, with a focus on building local capacity to sustain improvement and to effectively address disparities in opportunities and outcomes.” According to the California Department of Education, “At its heart, California’s System of Support is focused on improving the outcomes of California’s students.” The system of support includes three tiers: 1) General Assistance – resources and assistance made available to all local educational agencies; 2) Differentiated Assistance – local educational agencies that meet certain eligibility criteria receive additional and more targeted support; and 3) Intensive Intervention – local educational agencies with persistent performance issues over a period of time receive more targeted assistance and support. While some San Mateo County school districts were previously identified for Differentiated Assistance, no district has ever qualified for Intensive Intervention.

The San Mateo County Office of Education will work with the 14 districts identified for Differentiated Assistance to help them closely analyze their local data and address systems or practices that may be getting in the way of their supporting all student groups. According to San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Magee, “The County Office of Education team works in partnership with our districts to help expand their capacity and resources as they develop and implement plans to best meet the needs of all students. Targeted expertise from our County Office content experts is an essential layer in our local system of support.”

The following districts qualified for Differentiated Assistance in 2022: Belmont-Redwood Shores, Cabrillo Unified, Jefferson Elementary, Jefferson Union, Millbrae, Pacifica, Ravenswood City, Redwood City, San Bruno Park, San Carlos, San Mateo-Foster City, San Mateo Union High, Sequoia Union High, and South San Francisco.

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The San Mateo County Office of Education is committed to ensuring excellence and equity in education by inspiring students, investing in teachers, invigorating leaders, and involving communities.

Published January 20, 2023