Dear Team FCSS,
I want to share some news that I hope makes you smile as much as it did me.
The students across Fresno County just outperformed the state in both English Language Arts and Math – and we got to play a part in that. While California saw gains of 1.78% in ELA and 1.76% in math, our county's students jumped 2.14% in ELA and 1.91% in math.
Third graders improved by 3.00% in ELA, more than double the state's gain. Socioeconomically disadvantaged students ranked among the top 10 counties in California. Hispanic/Latino students improved 2.44%. African American students increased 2.04%.
The professional development you planned and delivered. The coaching support you provided to teachers. The data systems you built and maintained. The grants you wrote. The resources you coordinated. The partnerships you fostered. The logistics you managed so educators could focus on teaching. Every spreadsheet, every training session, every late email, it all mattered.
Many of us don't stand in front of students every day, but we stand behind the people who do. And these results show that our support is making a real difference in real classrooms with real kids.
In a county where 76% of students face economic hardship and one in four experiences food insecurity, these gains represent something bigger than test scores. They represent opportunity, and the power of what happens when we all pull in the same direction.
There's still work ahead, there always is. But today, I want you to see your fingerprints on this success. You may not get public recognition for what you do, but I see it. Our district partners see it. And now, the data shows it too.
Thank you for the work you do every day to support our county's students and educators. You're making a difference.
With gratitude and pride,
Michele