The primary purpose of a County Office of Education (COE) is to act as a helpful support system for local school districts, offering valuable services, leadership and oversight.

In California, the public education system is structured into three different levels: state, county and local. The state level sets important regulations, funding and policies through the California department of Education and the State Board of Education; the county level is where COEs operate and assist school districts in their mission to provide quality education to students; and the local level is where school districts take care of the day-to-day educational needs of students. 

Together, all three levels contribute to student success.

COEs offer a wide range of support services to school districts and play a vital role in enhancing academic performance through various initiatives, empowering school staff through professional development opportunities and ensuring school districts remain fiscally responsible and secure.

Most COEs also actively support student events, arts and outdoor education, as well as operate programs that directly serve non-traditional students — for example, students who have been expelled, incarcerated or on probation, students with significant special needs and early learners.

MCOE does not directly govern local school districts

Merced County Office of Education serves as an oversight agency for school district budgets and Local Control and Accountability Plans, coordinates teacher credentialing and the county-wide substitute teacher list and hears student expulsion appeals from school districts.