For the first time, the California County Superintendents, a statewide association that works with all 58 county offices of education in California, named the Riverside County Office of Education the Large County of the Year. The awards ceremony was held on September 29.
Leading the state with the highest graduation rates and lowest dropout rates, piloting the California State University direct admission program, advancing apprenticeships, artificial intelligence readiness, initiatives focused on financial literacy and foster youth, and the Season of Giving community donation drive were all identified as examples supporting the selection of RCOE as the 2026 Large County of the Year recipient.
The recognition from the statewide association that works with all 58 county offices of education in California was judged on technological innovation, executive leadership, and other considerations such as whole child implementation, work surrounding students with disabilities, diversity/equity/inclusion initiatives, campaigns, supporting arts education, and other state-leading/extraordinary work.
Each year, winners are selected by a committee composed of county superintendents and county office staff throughout the state. RCOE was selected in the category that includes the 12 counties that serve the most students in California: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, Santa Clara.
RCOE’s Dr. Deanna McCarty was also honored by the California County Superintendents as the 2026 County-Operated Student Programs Committee (COSP) STAR Award winner.
RCOE is a service agency supporting the county’s 23 school districts and more than 500 schools that serve nearly 430,000 students—more than the student population of 17 states.
