CCBE is proud to have established the Apple for Excellence Award to recognize outstanding programs administered by county offices of education reflecting the depth and breadth of a county education program necessary to address students’ changing needs. This also allows CCBE to express appreciation to the dedicated educators in county offices across the state that strive to provide high-quality education with cutting-edge innovation.

This award is bestowed upon the top County Office of Education program that is a winner of the CSBA’s Golden Bell Awards. Apple for Excellence Awards are presented at the CSBA Golden Bell Awards reception event each year in December by the CCBE president. Award winners are selected by the CCBE Awards Committee. Each year, through the CSBA Golden Bell Awards program an announcement is sent to all county offices and districts encouraging them to nominate projects or programs from their county for consideration.

2022 Apple for Excellence Award winner

Fresno Rural Teacher Residency Partnership

Fresno County Office of Education

Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS) aims to leverage its local educator preparation partnerships with California State University, Fresno, and California Teaching Fellows Foundation by collaborating with West Hills College-Coalinga and Reedley College to build the capacity of a rural teacher residency consortium (Rural Consortium) that recruits, supports, and retains a diverse teacher workforce reflective of its local community’s diversity. In collaboration with six districts located in geographically isolated areas in the northern region of the county, the Rural Consortium aims to enhance its rural residency program with Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified, Kerman Unified, Golden Plains Unified, and Mendota Unified, while further expanding its rural teacher pipeline with Parlier Unified, and Laton Unified. The expansion will also focus on implementing our residency cohort of local teacher shortages in Bilingual Education and Transitional Kindergarten areas. Three high-leverage residency practices serve as the focal enhancements to our rural residency model:

1. Increased financial support for rural residents in exchange for a teaching commitment.
2. Increased collaboration with mentor teachers through professional development and induction support.
3. Development of ongoing support for rural resident program graduates while also deepening our collective responsibility to equitable outcomes for Fresno County students, families, schools, and education professionals that are equitable in action and culturally responsive in nature.