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Focus on Education - October 2025

posted on 10/21/2025 11:52:00 AM

Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

October 2025

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Focus on Education provides news about Ventura County public schools for families and educators. It is published by the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE).

Test Scores on the Rise in Ventura County

Ventura County students are making gains in both math and English language arts, according to the latest scores from the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). The percentage of students countywide who met or exceeded state standards in the 2024-2025 school year is up by 1.3% in math and 1.9% in English. This is the fourth consecutive year of improvement since scores dipped during the pandemic. You can find CAASPP scores for individual schools and school districts at this link.

Protecting Students from Immigration Enforcement Activity

As our community continues to feel the impacts of increased immigration enforcement, the Ventura County Board of Education is taking a unified stand in support of student safety.

At their September meeting, all five board members joined Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, in signing a letter to Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security, which is the parent agency of ICE. The letter requests that DHS reinstate a policy declaring schools off-limits for immigration enforcement. It also asks that immigration officers refrain from wearing masks and have uniforms that clearly identify which agency they are with.

Read the Letter

New Welding Center Opening Soon

After years of planning and preparations, we are excited to announce that the new VCOE Welding and Testing facility has been officially accredited by the American Welding Society (AWS). It’s now the first and only AWS-accredited facility in Ventura County.

Aspiring Ventura County welders will soon be able to take the test to earn their nationally recognized AWS certification in Camarillo instead of traveling to distant testing facilities. In addition, VCOE's Career Education Center offers welding courses for high school students and adults to help them prepare for lucrative careers in the industry.

A grand opening celebration is being planned for December. In the meantime, you can get more information about the welding center's services by contacting Brace Helton at BHelton@vcoe.org or 805-437-1450.

Hackathon by the Sea Registration

VCOE’s popular Hackathon by the Sea is marking its 10th year with the launch of a new format that splits the event into two separate days. On Saturday, December 6, students will team up to hack their way through cyber-themed escape rooms and interactive activities while working on solutions to real-world cyber problems. Then in April, they’ll take the stage to present their solutions at a showcase dinner. The Hackathon is open to all Ventura County high school students, and registration is open now through November 28.

Volunteer for Student Competitions

You're invited to help bring fun learning opportunities to local students by volunteering as a judge or scorer at VCOE's upcoming student competitions. Volunteers are needed for the Academic Decathlon, Science Fair, Battle of the Books, and Batalla de los Libros which take place between January and May of 2026. If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering, more information is available here.

Book Magic at Library & Literacy Day

The magic of books came to life at VCOE’s annual Library & Literacy Day. An enthusiastic crowd heard from keynote speaker and bestselling author Kelly Yang, as she talked about fighting book bans and the importance of representation in literature. Attendees also enjoyed a wide variety of engaging sessions that covered the world of school libraries from A to Z. You can find more news and resources in the October edition of VCOE's Library & Literacy Update.

Industry & Education Summit & Showcase

Education and industry partners are invited to collaborate on inspiring the next generation of skilled professionals in advanced manufacturing, engineering, and information communications technologies. Be part of this exciting effort by registering for the Annual Industry & Education Summit in Camarillo on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

You can also help mentor future professionals by volunteering for the Student Project Showcase on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Join us in recognizing their hard work, dedication, and the meaningful impact of industry-academic partnerships in building a vibrant local economy.

Civic Education Hits the Road

We’re kicking off this year’s VCOE Civic Engagement series with an exciting one-day on-the-road experience for students in grades six through twelve. On November 6, we'll be leading visits to six of Ventura County’s most inspiring civic and cultural centers — from a Chumash heritage site to the Ventura County Government Center, where students will see real-time ballot counting and local democracy in action. You can see the full itinerary here and register your class or school at this link.

New Podcast Episode on Teaching Careers

In the latest episode of the VCOE Focus on Education Podcast, Dr. César Morales, Superintendent of Schools, sits down with Dr. Joy Springer, a former teacher who is now VCOE's Director of Educator Support & Effectiveness, as they explore the rewards of teaching. They discuss how aspiring teachers can start their careers and how VCOE supports their educational journey. Watch the video version or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

Watch or Listen to the Podcast

Students Learn to Be Wellness Peers

VCOE recently hosted four days of training for Ventura County middle and high school students as they prepare to become volunteers at their campus Wellness Centers. Students participated in a variety of breakout sessions to develop their skills as advocates for mental health. Wellness Centers have proven to be an effective way to promote wellbeing so students can focus on learning. We invite you to watch two brief videos about the Wellness Peer training by clicking the links below.

Sneak-Peek

Highlight Video

Landmark Disabilities Act Turns 50

The Ventura County SELPA is celebrating 50 Years of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as it continues to be the foundation of special education in the United States. Spotlighting the importance of IDEA has taken on new urgency amid recent cuts to the federal department in charge of special education. We invite you to watch this video highlighting what IDEA means to our students and staff.

Watch IDEA Anniversary Video

Spread Some Warmth this Winter

The VCOE Homeless Education Program is again teaming up with One Warm Coat to help students and families stay warm this winter. Until November 10, we’re collecting coats to donate to those in need.

You can drop off coats in the collection bins at the VCOE Offices at 5189 Verdugo Way or 5100 Adolfo Road in Camarillo. For more information, please contact Cathi Nye at cnye@vcoe.org or call (805) 437-1559.

Help Influence Local STEM Education

VCOE is gathering feedback from educators, administrators, staff, students, parents, and professional development providers to strengthen Math, Science, and Computer Science (MSCS) learning and professional development across our county.

Your responses to our new survey will directly inform goals, programming, and resources for our CAL-MSCS Action Plan — ensuring all voices contribute to a stronger, more inclusive vision for STEM education in Ventura County.

The deadline to complete the survey is October 31. Please select the version that applies to you:

Upcoming Events and Workshops

The Ventura County Office of Education and its partners present a wide variety of workshops and events for educators, families, and community members. Some upcoming offerings are below, and you can browse our full calendar of events at vcoe.k12oms.org.