ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Delivering Results for Riverside County

As Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez has dedicated his tenure to creating opportunities for all students and ensuring schools are equipped to meet the demands of the future. Under his leadership, Riverside County has achieved remarkable milestones that are shaping a brighter future for students, educators, and families.

Achieving Educational Excellence

  • Highest Graduation Rate in California: Riverside County now leads all large counties in the state with the highest graduation rate, reflecting Dr. Gomez’s unwavering commitment to student success.

  • Addressing Absenteeism: Dr. Gomez has partnered with districts to address systemic barriers to attendance and engagement, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Groundbreaking Partnerships and Programs

  • Direct CSU Admission Program: Dr. Gomez worked with California State University to launch the only program in the state, guaranteeing direct admission for approximately 12,000 high school students from Riverside County to 10 CSU campuses.

  • Expanding College Savings through CalKIDS: Dr. Gomez has championed the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program, which has created over $137 million in potential college savings accounts for 274,664 eligible students in Riverside County.

Innovative Career Pathways

  • CTE Expansion: Dr. Gomez has expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in unique and in-demand fields such as aviation, esports, and pre-apprenticeships, creating the most robust pre-apprenticeship program in the state.

  • Equipping Students for Careers: His leadership has connected students to real-world opportunities, preparing them for high-paying, future-focused careers.

Supporting Mental Health and Wellness

  • Countywide Mental Health Centers: Dr. Gomez has opened 10 CAREspace locations, which have served more than 20,000 individuals with vital mental health support in welcoming, student-centered environments across our 23 Riverside County school districts.

Supporting All Students

Superintendent’s Initiatives: Dr. Gomez introduced comprehensive initiatives that address literacy by fifth grade, foster youth success, equity, financial literacy, and mental health. These programs ensure all divisions within the Riverside County Office of Education work collaboratively to meet the diverse needs of students.

  • Supporting Foster Youth and Families: Dr. Gomez has organized impactful events such as Back-to-School Resource Fairs and Winter Wonderland, providing foster youth and students experiencing homelessness with essential resources, food, and holiday gifts.

Investing in Facilities and Educators

Critical Facilities for Education: Under Dr. Gomez’s leadership, Riverside County has opened several key facilities, including:

  • A cutting-edge e-sports arena.

  • Three inclusive playgrounds that provide accessible recreational opportunities for all children.

  • The Riverside Conference Center, a hub for education, collaboration, and innovation.

  • Opening in 2026, the largest conference center in the Coachella Valley, which broke ground in December 2024 and will serve educators and communities for decades to come.

Empowering Educators: Dr. Gomez has strengthened teacher preparation and professional development through RCOE’s School of Education, which provides many of the largest and most comprehensive educator and administrator preparation programs of any county office in California. Dr. Gomez has also launched and/or expanded RCOE’s transformative conferences, including:

  • Excellence Through Equity Conference

  • Artificial Intelligence Summit

  • Language Access Conference

  • Executive Women’s Leadership Conference