The Educational Support Services Department (ESS) works in collaboration with the 14 school districts in Butte County to meet two important goals: to improve student academic achievement in reading, writing and mathematics; and to provide safe and healthy learning environments for children and youth. ESS focuses on meeting the Butte County Office of Education's goal:  "Committed to the success of every student and the excellence of every educator." 

ESS is responsible for tracking national and statewide education policy decisions that affect curriculum, instruction, health and safety, data, assessment, accountability, technology, early childhood, and after school programs then providing technical assistance and professional development to inform and assist educators.

ESS offers direct assistance over a sustained period of time to those schools facing the greatest challenges; develops programs in response to grant opportunities; establishes forums to foster communication and share information; delivers online and face-to-face professional development; provides online, print and audiovisual learning resources; disseminates timely information about current education issues; operates schools for young children; conducts after school programs; and offers technical assistance and professional development throughout Northern California to support technology, after school programs, reading instruction, and district improvement.

ESS is comprised of approximately 400 management, early childhood, clerical, and after school employees.

The guiding purpose is to prepare students to succeed in their careers and higher education and to participate fully as citizens in our society.  ESS is committed to joining with the local school district to utilize every resource available in the collaborative effort to provide the best possible education for the young people in our county.

• Grant Programs Development and Administration
  Carolyn Olsen, Assistant Superintendent
  Programs and grant funding are collaboratively developed among county office of education, pre-schools, public schools and higher education, service agencies, and community organizations to improve the health, safety, and educational success of children, youth, families, and communities.  This service provides administration and supervision of grant program personnel, relationships and resources and offers facilitation and technical assistance to schools and partners in grant program and resource development, application, and implementation.
  
  
• Instructional Resource Center (IRC)
  Patty Garrison, Director
  IRC provides library and audiovisual learning resources, and assists high priority schools in the county and surrounding region.
  
  
• Technology in Curriculum
  Paul Haas, Director
  Technology in Curriculum includes the Center for Distributed Learning that provides the statewide online learning community CTAP Online and develops new online and technology-based projects, and serves as the Lead Education Agency for the California Technology Assistance Project that helps teachers and administrators in the nine northern counties make effective use of technology to improve student achievement.
  

 

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Forums
Butte Curriculum and Instruction Council (BCIC)
Bi-monthly meetings with designated representatives from each district and the county office to review and then take action on curriculum and instruction issues.

Curriculum Forum
Representatives from Butte County districts interested in curriculum, instruction and assessment meet throughout the year as a Professional Learning Community.  This forum gives participants a valuable opportunity to collaborate on various concerns and to provide support for one another as issues arise.

For more information

Contact:
Carolyn Olsen - Assistant Superintendent
1859 Bird Street, Oroville, CA  95965
Phone: (530) 532-5789
Fax: (530) 532-5699
Email: colsen@bcoe.org

Gina Wilson - Executive Assistant
1859 Bird Street, Oroville, CA  95965
Phone: (530) 532-5789
Fax: (530) 532-5699
Email: gwilson@bcoe.org