In this edition of Focus on Education, we're taking a special look at careers in education. With California facing a serious shortage of teachers, there's never been a better time to encourage bright young minds to apply their skills and passion in local classrooms.

The Ventura County Office of Education is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2015 Ventura County Academic Decathlon is Westlake High School. This is Westlake’s fourth consecutive victory. Oak Park High School came in second place, and third place went to Westlake High School’s B team. Oak Park high school won the “Super Quiz” portion of the competition, which was held on Saturday. The winners were announced this evening at a ceremony at Pacifica High School in Oxn...

Note: This opinion piece authored by Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Stan Mantooth appears in the February 5 edition of the Ventura County Star.In a famous Supreme Court case in 1919 (Schneck v. United States), Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. said that "the most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man falsely shouting ‘fire' in a crowded theater and causing panic." He went on to point out that such an action would endanger others and, ther...

There are currently ten confirmed cases of measles in Ventura County. None of those cases are at elementary, middle or high schools within Ventura County. If a case of measles should develop at a school site, the Ventura County Health Care Agency will be notified. The agency may then decide to order all under-immunized students at that school to stay home for up to 21 days.Measles is highly contagious, but easily preventable with proper vaccinations, which have been proven to be safe and effecti...

Ventura County high school students will have enhanced educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) thanks to a new partnership between the Ventura County Office of Education and the Navy. At Monday night’s County Board of Education meeting, VCOE signed an Education Partnership Agreement with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD). Under the agreement, NSWC PHD will provide training and equipment to students throughout Ventura County....

The Ventura County Community College District and the Ventura County Office of Education were honored to receive the “Innovation Award” from the Ventura Chamber of Commerce at their annual Poinsettia Awards luncheon on December 11 at the Ventura Beach Marriott. The award recognizes the amazing work that’s underway for VC Innovates, an unprecedented collaboration of local educators and businesses to prepare Ventura County students for the careers of tomorrow. This multi-year project is funded ...

Sonya Stone, a senior at Santa Susana High School in Simi Valley, submitted the winning artwork that will represent the 2015 Ventura County Mock Trial. Sonya’s artwork, which features a figure of Blind Justice encircled by stars, will represent this year’s Mock Trial Case, People v. Shem: An Art Theft. Sonya’s drawing will be featured on lapel pins, awards, fliers and packets publicizing the event. The 31st annual Ventura County Mock Trial will be held February 23 - 27, 2015, at the Ventura C...

Ventura County middle and high schools have a unique opportunity to bring robotics education programs to their students with no up-front equipment costs. The Ventura County Office of Education and the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation have joined forces to provide VEX Robotics Classroom and Competition Super Kit grants to the first 30 eligible schools to respond. The VEX Robotics Design System offers students an exciting platform for learning about areas rich with career...

Ventura County students have a long, proud tradition of excellence in local, state and national Academic Competitions. This is only possible through the strong commitment and partnership of our local businesses and organizations. Amgen, Sage Corwin Publications, Gene Haas Foundation, California Resources Corporation and Aera Energy are among the sponsors who generously contribute to these popular events. On average, local sponsors provide more than $100,000 in donations and more than 600 volunte...

Gateway Community School in Camarillo, which serves some of Ventura County’s most troubled kids, is receiving recognition for major reforms that have made it a model for schools across the country. It’s About Time: Planning Interventions and Extensions in Secondary School, edited by Mike Mattos and Austin Buffum, dedicates a full chapter to the changes Gateway has undergone since it began implementing reforms in 2010. In the chapter titled “From a Last Resort to a Model School of Choice,” th...