From the Capitol to the Classroom 

State Legislative Staff Visit Manteca Unified to Witness Education Programs in Action 

What happens when legislative staff step beyond the Capitol walls and into the classrooms? On September 24-25, key education policy advisors visited Manteca Unified School District to learn directly from our education experts and experience the impactful programs offered within Manteca Unified.  

From Expanded Learning Opportunities to Visual and Performing Arts and English Language Development, the visit provided legislative staff a firsthand look at the transformative work happening in MUSD that is enhancing student success and inspiring future education policy. 

By learning about the success of our programs, as well as identifying areas where additional support is needed, these policy advisors will return to Sacramento with a deeper understanding of the realities within our schools. Armed with this insight, they will be better positioned to champion programs and advocate for students when critical policy decisions are made. 

Expanded Learning Opportunities  

First, legislative staff spoke with our education experts leading Expanded Learning Opportunities programs. Expanded Learning Opportunities programs include the 9-Hour Day program, after school clubs and activities, learning recovery programs such as Summer Academy, and more.  

Read more about our Expanded Learning Opportunities 

The panel included Director of Innovation and Improvement Lisa Goodwin, Expanded Learning Coordinators Candace Espinola and Oscar Munguia, and Christina Keefhaver, Chief Executive Officer of our community partner Give Every Child a Chance. 

During this session, the panel highlighted how these programs are not only helping students succeed but also transforming our schools into vibrant community hubs. Legislative staff were especially interested in the wide range of opportunities, our innovative programs, and their impact on student engagement and achievement. The panel shared impressive data, showing that student achievement soared by an average of 38% in English Language Arts and 55% in Math for K-8 students who attended Summer Academy last year. They were equally excited to learn about the 78 after-school clubs available, which provide students with a variety of meaningful ways to get involved. 

Following the panel, legislative staff had the opportunity to visit the After School Program at Lincoln Elementary School, where they witnessed the dynamic programs we offer. This gave them an in-depth look at how these initiatives are directly contributing to student success and supporting academic growth. 

Visual and Performing Arts 

The second panel was centered on our Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) programs at Manteca Unified, and their impact on student engagement. During this panel, policy advisors had the opportunity to learn more about how Proposition 28 has impacted our programs. (Proposition 28 is increased funding for arts and music education). 

Our Executive Director of Secondary Education Clara Schmiedt and VAPA Coordinator Anthony Dahl painted a vibrant image of the music and arts programs currently available to our students, as well as their goals for future programs.  

Mr. Dahl provided an insightful overview of our Arts Integration Program for 1st through 3rd grade, where we bring in arts specialists to serve as academic coaches for teachers. This initiative focuses on weaving art-specific instruction into existing lessons, such as incorporating theater into English Language Arts. The panel also highlighted the importance of student voice in shaping class offerings, sharing how high school students participate in surveys to express their preferences for Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) classes. 

Legislative staff had the opportunity to observe these programs in action during their visits to a Walter Woodward choir class and visual arts classes at Manteca High School. This experience provided them with a deeper understanding of the positive impact of our VAPA programming. 

Student Programs and English Language Development

The final panel showcased the expertise of our Department of Student Programs and English Language Development (ELD), featuring Director of Student Programs Sherrie Jamero, Director of Teaching and Learning Julie Hollander, English Language Specialist Wendy Herrick, and English Language Coordinator Karen Herrick. 

Ms. Herrick provided a detailed look at our new ELD curriculum, English 3D, which equips teachers with strategies and routines for teaching students learning English. She noted, “this program gives teachers the language lens they didn’t have before.”  

Ms. Jamero explained the transformative impact of our Standards-Based Report Cards, highlighting how they offer a clear, actionable picture of student progress, allowing parents and students to better support their learning goals. She also introduced our shift from traditional parent-teacher conferences to proactive Goal Setting Conferences, which focus on setting learning goals in advance and fostering stronger relationships while celebrating student growth. 

The visit concluded with a field trip to East Union High School, where legislative staff observed various levels of ELD instruction in action.  

Legislative staff shared that their trip to Manteca Unified was one of the best learning experiences they had ever had. The group is looking to return to Manteca Unified later this month, but this time to learn more about our implementation of Transitional Kindergarten. We are proud to serve as a model for public education.