Open Charter Seats, Week of October 2, 2024

The 2024-25 school year is underway! There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application. The application is now open and accepting students at OaklandEnrolls.org. There are great schools for your child, including schools that won Raise the Bar Awards – AIMS, Aspire Lionel Wilson,…

From The Black Teacher Project: Teacher Truth Perspectives 2024 and What Data Shows about the Black Teacher Experience

Great School Voices joined Black educators and other concerned community members from New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, St. Louis, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and, of course, from Northern and Southern California for a virtual forum, as The Black Female Project shined a light on the numbers and their voices.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 9/21/24-9/27/24

We’re back with our roundup of education news from around The Town, the Bay Area, state, and nation for your weekend reading. This is a Dirk favorite and one of the last blogs he published for Great School Voices.

An Interview with Author and Charter School Founder, Dr. Elaine Ruiz López for her New Book, The Fight for Equity in the Bronx: Changing Lives and Transforming Communities One Scholar At A Time

Compounded over time, great teachers and excellent schools have the exponential power to undo the side effects of policies and politics that either only serve the few or subject the masses to inequities that can set families and communities back generations.

Open Charter Seats, Week of September 25, 2024

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application.

GSV Talks Black Teacher Retention with San Francisco Unified School District

While San Francisco Mayor London Breed was making news by unveiling her plans to support SFUSD schools with a new School Stabilization Team, GSV was engaged in a timely discussion with the District’s Senior Executive Director HR, Swen Ervin, about the State of Black Education in San Francisco. Ervin talks challenges, solutions, and the unique approaches…

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 8/25/24-8/30/24

It’s time for the Oakland Ed Week in Review! We’re back with our roundup of education news from around The Town, the Bay Area, state, and nation for your weekend reading. This is a Dirk favorite and one of the last blogs he published for Great School Voices. Here’s what’s been going on: Here in…

District 3 School Board Candidate Dwayne Aikens Jr.

When Dwayne Aikens Jr. looks at the state of Oakland public schools, he does so as an insider who knows what it’s like to attend school here. When he talks about Oakland students, he speaks from experience of being one himself.

That’s why he’s running for the Oakland school board, District 3 position: to use his experience and community connections to benefit students.

Open Charter Seats, Week of September 18, 2024

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application.

District 5 School Board Candidate Patrice Berry

When Patrice Berry looks back on her childhood, growing up in a segregated Maryland town, she says that “reading saved my life. Education saved my life.” Now Patrice is running for the District 5 Oakland school board position because, from her experience as a student, an educator and now a parent, she knows how transformative education can be for a young person.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 9/07/24-9/13/24

Young voices, the budget and public safety key topics at Oakland election forum

Candidates for Oakland school board and city council in Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7, as well as candidates for the city council at-large seat participated in a forum organized by FIA family and youth leaders.

This Thursday (9/12): Oakland candidate forum from Families in Action

Hear what Oakland school board and city council candidates have to say about important education and civic issues at the only forum this election organized by students and families.

Open Charter Seats, Week of September 11, 2024

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 8/25/24-8/30/24

As we start of a new school year, with Labor Day marking a time of transition, let’s embrace the opportunities ahead with optimism and unity. To our educators: Your dedication shapes the future, and your resilience makes a difference in the lives of every student you teach. Parents: Your involvement is vital—your partnership with schools…

JOIN US IN MAKING YOUR VOICE HEARD!

Citywide survey on improving education for Black Students in Oakland is now out! Please click the link here to fill out the survey and snap the QR code above, and be sure to SHARE with others in your Oakland network! State of Black Education Oakland (SoBEO), Great School Voices, and our partners invite YOU –…

Open Charter Seats, Week of August 27, 2024

There are great schools for your child, including schools that won Raise the Bar Awards – AIMS, Aspire Lionel Wilson, and BayTech among others have open seats for new students for any grade level from TK to 12. Those are just a few of the schools, so do your homework and make the best choice you can.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 8/17/24-8/24/24

Benjamin Salop: the 20-year-old former OUSD student running for School Board

Benjamin Salop is running for the District 1 Oakland school board position as a 20-year-old who graduated from Oakland Tech in 2022 because he believes that students and families deserve a seat at the decision-making table.

Open Charter Seats, Week of August 21, 2024

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 8/10/24-7/16/24

Open Charter Seats, Week of August 14, 2024

The 2024-25 school year is here! There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application. The application is now open and accepting students at OaklandEnrolls.org. There are great schools for your child, including schools that won Raise the Bar Awards – AIMS, Aspire Lionel Wilson,…

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 8/3/24-8/9/24

Youth Vote Now Official: Oakland and Berkeley 16- and 17-year-olds Can Now Head to the Polls in November for School Board Elections.

At long last, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters has finalized and established plans for the youth in Oakland and Berkeley to have their votes counted in school board elections this fall, becoming the first in the nation to do so. To simplify matters, the Registrar will be using California’s existing pre-registration system – the…

An Interview with OUSD Board President Sam Davis on Measure QQ, Who’s Running for the School Board, How Students Can Register to Vote, and More

On Monday of this week, Great School Voices had the opportunity to interview OUSD School Board President Sam Davis about the challenges behind implementing the directives behind Oakland’s Measure QQ and Berkeley’s Measure Y1, giving Youth aged 16 and 17 the right to vote in school board elections. According to ABC News and other official…

Open Charter Seats, Week of August 6, 2024

The 2024-25 school year is almost here!

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 7/27/24-8/02/24

Open Charter Seats, Week of July 31, 2024

The 2024-25 school year is almost here!

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 7/20/24-7/26/24

The Long Road to an Oakland Youth Vote takes Critical Steps toward this Year’s November Ballot

Youth organizers and activists at Oakland’s July 16, 2024, City Council meeting, with OUSD Director Sam Davis and Councilmember Treva Reid. Council members cast preliminary votes to authorize youth aged 16 and older to vote in school board elections. (Photo credit: Families in Action for Education (FIA)). With November just around the corner, Oakland has…

Open Charter Seats, Week of July 24, 2024

The schools on this list are for enrolling in the next school year — 2024-25. The application is now open and accepting students at OaklandEnrolls.org. There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school for the 2024-25 school year. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application. There are great schools…

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 7/13/24-7/19/24

Open Charter Seats, Week of July 17, 2024

The schools on this list are for enrolling in the next school year — 2024-25. The application is now open and accepting students at OaklandEnrolls.org.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 7/6/24-7/12/24

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 6/29/24-7/5/24

Open Charter Seats, Week of July 2, 2024

The schools on this list are for enrolling in the next school year — 2024-25. The application is now open and accepting students at OaklandEnrolls.org.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 6/22/24-6/28/24

Open Charter Seats, Week of June 25, 2024

The schools on this list are for enrolling in the next school year — 2024-25. The application is now open and accepting students at OaklandEnrolls.org.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 6/15/24-6/21/24

Enhancing Classroom Management and School Culture in Oakland Schools

What do Oakland students have to say about how their classes are managed? A look inside the latest Energy Convertors student voice report.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 6/8/24-6/14/24

Open Charter Seats, Week of June 11, 2024

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school for the 2024-25 school year. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application.

Chronic Absenteeism: A Silent Crisis in Oakland’s Education System

Chronic absenteeism is a silent crisis plaguing Oakland schools, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made it worse. Despite many students believing they have satisfactory attendance, the harsh reality is that far too many are missing critical instructional time. This disconnect has severe consequences for student learning, engagement, and long-term success.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 6/1/24-6/7/24

Addressing the Disconnect: Grades vs. Proficiency in Oakland Schools

Attaining a high grade in a class doesn’t necessarily mean a student is proficient. Energy Convertors student researchers unpack this issue in their 2024 report, which was recently released.

Open Charter Seats, Week of June 4, 2024

The schools on this list are for enrolling in the next school year — 2024-25. The application is now open and accepting students at OaklandEnrolls.org.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 5/25/24-5/31/24

Energy Convertors 2024 Oakland Report: Demanding Proficiency Over Pageantry

Welcome to the 2023-24 Energy Convertors Report on Oakland public schools. We’re excited to share with you the findings from this year’s report. Our student researchers examined learning in the classroom and how students are impacted through two key areas of focus: 1. Learning and Proficiency; 2. Classroom Management and School Culture. Check out our key findings here and download the report.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 5/18/24-5/24/24

See Y’all on May 29th: Agentic & EmpowerED 2024

The purpose of Agentic & EmpowerED Oakland 2024 is to raise awareness about the educational disparities affecting Black and Brown scholars in Oakland, equip parents and students with the knowledge and tools needed to take immediate action, and inspire collective efforts to foster meaningful change within our education system. We then ultimately empower families to…

Open Charter Seats, Week of May 21, 2024

The schools on this list are for enrolling in the next school year — 2024-25. The application is now open and accepting students at OaklandEnrolls.org.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 5/11/24-5/17/24

Open Charter Seats, Week of May 14, 2024

The schools on this list are for enrolling in the next school year — 2024-25. The application is now open and accepting students at OaklandEnrolls.org.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 5/4/24-5/10/24

Open Charter Seats, Week of May 8, 2024

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application. There are great schools for your child for the 2023-24 school year. Schools that won Raise the Bar Awards – including AIMS, Aspire Lionel Wilson, BayTech and Lighthouse Community Charter High among others have open seats for new students for any grade level from TK to 12. Those are just a few of the schools, so do your homework and make the best choice you can.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 4/27/24-5/3/24

Open Charter Seats, Week of April 30, 2024

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 4/20/24-4/26/24

Mark Your Calendar: Agentic & EmpowerED Oakland 2024

Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PMLocation: Kipp Bridge Academy, Multipurpose Room The purpose of Agentic & EmpowerED Oakland 2024 is to raise awareness about the educational disparities affecting Black and Brown scholars in West Oakland, equip parents and students with the knowledge and tools needed to take immediate action, and inspire…

Open Charter Seats, Week of April 23, 2024

The schools on this list are for enrolling in the current school year — 2023-24. The Oakland Public Charter Schools Application for next school year — 2024-25 is also now open and accepting students for next school year. You can apply now at OaklandEnrolls.org. There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where…

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 4/13/24-4/19/24

Agency by Design Oakland Presents Centering out Students: Joy, Belonging, and Learning on Wednesday, April 24th!

Agency by Design Oakland, an Oakland based professional development provider run by teachers for teachers, is hosting their big end of year teacher Expo on April 24 from 5-7pm! AbDO focuses on culturally responsive teaching and maker-centered learning to increase student engagement, deepen content knowledge, and foster a greater sense of belonging. All educators are invited to come get…

Open Charter Seats, Week of April 16, 2024

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 4/6/24-4/12/24

Open Charter Seats, Week of April 9, 2024

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 3/30/24-4/5/24

Open Charter Seats, Week of April 4, 2024

Each week, Great School Voices shares the open charter schools of the week from Oakland Enrolls. The schools on this list are for enrolling in the current school year — 2023-24. The Oakland Public Charter Schools Application for next school year — 2024-25 is also now open and accepting students for next school year. You can apply now at OaklandEnrolls.org. There…

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 3/23/24-3/29/24

How Cox Academy is Raising the Bar with the Help of Parents, and with FIA, how Parents are taking their Message to City Council and OUSD

Before the 2024 Raising the Bar Awards go down in just a few hours at Learning without Limits School in Oakland, we have one more interview to share, and that’s with Cox Academy parent Viveca Ycoy-Walton. Cox Elementary, an Education for Change School, has pledged to Raise the Bar with their families this year, and…

How AIMS College Prep High School is Raising the Bar, from a Student’s Perspective

As part of our coverage on how schools in Oakland that are Raising the Bar, today we are showcasing AIMS College Prep High School, who will be receiving the following accolades and more at tonight’s Raising the Bar Awards: Esperanza Oden, a student there, has quite a bit to say about how her school has…

How East Bay Innovation Academy is Raising the Bar

Great School Voices sat down with school leaders from award-winning schools to discuss what Raising the Bar means to their school community, why their school got involved in FIA, how they communicate with families, and more. This interview is with Miranda Thorman, the executive director of East Bay Innovation Academy (EBIA).

How Aspire Lionel Wilson Prep is Raising the Bar

Great School Voices sat down with school leaders from award-winning schools to discuss what Raising the Bar means to their school community, why their school got involved in FIA, how they communicate with families, and more. This interview is with Tommy Gonzalez, Aspire Lionel Wilson Prep school principal.

Open Charter Seats, Week of March 26, 2024

What Does It Mean When Schools Raise the Bar? The Categories

For four years, FIA has celebrated high schools where 80 percent or more of our Black and Brown students successfully completed A-G, making them eligible to apply to four-year colleges. This Thursday, they are also uplifting schools meeting California Dashboard Standards, those making BIG strides in ELA and Math, and unveiling “Raise the Bar” schools…

The State of the [Black Education] Union

Ladies, gentlemen, and fellow citizens, the state of the Black Education Union is not strong. The nameless and faceless “system” is still failing Black students. To be clear, they are failing nearly every major subgroup, but especially Black students, and add on poverty, or a disability, or any other subgroup, and the numbers get worse in regards to literacy and numeracy.

It’s Almost Raising the Bar Week: Join Us on Thursday, March 28th!

One of Dirk’s lasting legacies when he created Great School Voices has been that reliable, true data on schools, especially student-based proficiency data, can tell the tale of whether real progress is happening in schools and the communities in which they reside. When communities and educators use that data to inform their practice, develop policy proposals, and work…

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 3/16/24-3/22/24

It’s time for the Oakland Ed Week in Review! We’re back with an of our roundup of education news from around The Town, the Bay Area, state, and nation for your weekend reading. This is a Dirk favorite and one of the last blogs he published for Great School Voices. Here’s what’s been going on: …

Open Charter Seats, Week of March 20, 2024

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 3/9/24-3/15/24

Open Charter Seats, Week of March 6, 2024

Schools like AIMS, AMPS, BayTech and Lazear among others have open seats for new students for any grade level from TK to 12.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 3/1/24-3/8/24

Rethinking Education: Beyond Grades to Proficiency

I run an organization called Energy Convertors. In that org, we train student fellows and parents to utilize their sense of agency to get the education they deserve. Once we accomplish that, our student fellows define local education issues, conduct scientific research, and then write a report that builds the agency of their whole community…

Open Charter Seats, Week of March 6, 2024

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 2/24/24-3/1/24

ONE LAST WEEKEND Before Your Primary Ballot is Due! Refresh Yourself on ACOE School Board Candidates Here.

With the primary on March 5, you have one last weekend to research your candidates for office, before the general election in November. Special elections and primaries often have the lowest turnouts. Yet, in regions like Oakland and the Bay Area that are heavily represented by one political party, these elections are the most…

Open Charter Seats, Week of February 26, 2024

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 2/16/24-2/23/24

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 2/9/24-2/16/24

Open Charter Seats, Week of February 12, 2024

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 2/3/24-2/9/24

Join us at the ACOE School Board Candidate Forum from FIA, TOMORROW on Facebook at 5pm!

Tomorrow is Families in Action’s ACOE virtual candidate forum streaming live on their Facebook page. Four areas (Areas 2, 3, 5 and 6) across Alameda County are up for grabs, and the decisions of the new board will impact Oakland’s public schools. What is the ACOE? The Alameda County Office of Education’s School Board is…

A Legacy of Literacy: My Journey with The Go Farther Literacy Fund

As I reflect on the recent announcement by The Mind Trust about the $50,000 Go Farther Literacy Fund awards, my heart swells with an indescribable sense of pride. This initiative, now a beacon of hope and support for families in Indianapolis, echoes a journey that began with a deep, personal understanding of the challenges faced…

Open Charter Seats, Week of February 5, 2024

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 1/27/24-2/2/24

Here’s what’s been going on this past week:

In Oakland, OUSD warns families about fake kidnapping scams and faces pressure to avoid disparate impacts on Black students in school closure decisions, while introducing a new publication for community updates. In the Bay Area, South Bay nonprofits express concerns over California’s school funding, a study reveals Berkeley students’ faster test score rebound post-pandemic, and a documentary explores building wealth in the Black community through education. In the State of California, the state settles a learning-loss lawsuit, considers expanding arts education pathways, reevaluates job requirements for state positions, and LAUSD student board member Karen Ramirez focuses on promoting student leadership. Across The Nation, Despite U.S. student academic recovery, a report highlights persistent education inequalities, an On Point Radio episode explores chronic absenteeism, NYC schools face potential funding cuts, and Philadelphia’s tax break program raises concerns for public school funding.

Open Charter Seats, Week of January 29, 2024

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 1/20/24-1/26/24

Save the Date: Oakland Enrolls Charter School Choice Fair!

Oakland Enrolls is thrilled to be hosting an in-person Charter School Choice Fair on January 27th from 10am-2pm at Lazear Charter Academy – 824 29th Ave, Oakland, CA 94601. All families and community members are welcome to come to this free event and speak with over 30 amazing Oakland charter schools ranging TK-12 grades. Families…

Open Charter Seats: Week of January 22, 2024

The Oakland Ed Weeks in Review 12/26/23-1/19/24

It’s time for the Oakland Ed Weeks in Review! We’re back with an extended edition of our roundup of education news from around The Town, state, and nation. This is a Dirk favorite and one of the last blogs he published for Great School Voices. The news was light on the Oakland front while students…

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 12/22/23-12/29/23

It’s time for the last Oakland Ed Week in Review of the year! We’re back with an extended holiday edition of our roundup of education news from around The Town, state and nation. This is a Dirk favorite and one of the last blogs he published for Great School Voices. With Oakland schools on break,…

The Oakland Ed Weeks in Review 12/9/23-12/25/23

With it being the holiday season, we are going to focus this entire post on the good that is happening in Oakland, the State and the nation.

Here’s what’s been going on: Berkeley High students take a stand; more praise for the Oakland REACH’s Literacy Liberators Fellowship with recommendations on how to support impactful tutoring programs. AI takes center stage everywhere, while we see more efforts statewide to increase funding for schools in for STEAM and mental health services in CA. Simplifying forms can more than double the financial aid access for undocumented students, while Lincoln Elementary is showcased by Ashley McBride on how its served immigrant populations for decades. We see some gains in admissions and student proficiency according to one internationally-administered exam, and if you have savvy kids, be prepared for some holiday gift pitches coming to a boardroom, i.e., kitchen table or living room near you.

Open charter seats: 12/11

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 12/2/23-12/8/23

It’s time for the Oakland Ed Week in Review! We’re back with an edition of our weekly roundup of education news from around The Town, state and nation. This is a Dirk favorite and one of the last blogs he published for Great School Voices. Here’s what’s going on this week: there was significant coverage…

Navigating the American School System as an Immigrant Student

I did not grow up speaking English. When I was born, my parents could not afford to raise me so I was sent to live in China, where I learned to speak Mandarin. As a result, when I came back to attend school in America, I did not speak any English. I struggled in elementary school. Most of my peers spoke English. During those early years, I was almost always extremely confused about what was happening and struggled to catch up to what was being taught in class.

South Star Classroom Podcast Episode 121: Examining Black Student Representation in Top Private Colleges

How does the underrepresentation of Black students at selective private colleges and universities impact the overall educational environment and opportunities for these students? What are institutions doing to increase Black student enrollment, and why have they not been more effective in achieving a representative student body? What else needs to be done?

Open charter seats: 12/4

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 11/18/23-12/1/23

Here’s what’s going on this week: OUSD’s student homeless population jumped 70%(!) since the start of the pandemic; the war in the middle east continues to be a wedge issue on California college campuses; and a new report finds that charter schools deliver more bang for the buck than district schools (check out the article to read exactly what that means).

How do you choose the right major?

Students who have their major chosen can be more focused. While many students are unsure of their major or field of study after high school, this is not a topic that is often discussed in schools. For myself, I think that without the proper direction of a major chosen and a career to attain, I will feel nervous and perplexed about my future. I need a goal to aim for. I don’t want to be confused when I step into college. I want to devote myself to my major wholeheartedly. If I don’t have a goal to work toward I feel uneasy and confused. I do have some majors I’m considering right now, but I don’t know which one I should focus on and which one will be more fitting.

Unleashing the Potential of Every Student Through Personalized Learning

I have an immense love for education, but I firmly believe that the traditional, one-size-fits-all approach needs to change. This approach can cause disengagement, which I have experienced, and sluggish academic development since the traditional way of receiving an education disregards the unique talents, interests, and learning styles of each student.

South Star Classroom Podcast Episode 120: Is college really worth it?

What’s the point of college? Like, objectively. We all know it’s a marker for socio-economic mobility but we want to go deeper. Why does college exist, and what needs to change in the format of higher education?

Open charter seats: 11/28

Oakland students, local businesses pair up for graphic design needs

Latitude High students in East Oakland are gaining valuable real world experience working with local businesses and non-profits on their graphic design needs.

South Star Classroom Podcast Episode 119: Is overtime pay for teachers overdue or overrated?

Is overtime pay for teachers long overdue, considering the countless hours they dedicate outside of the standard 40-hour workweek? Or, is the concept of overtime pay for teachers overrated, considering the intrinsic rewards and passion that often drive their commitment to going above and beyond? Listen in as the group discusses the potential benefits and…

Open charter seats: 11/21

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 11/11/23-11/17/23

We have a rich edition for you this week, with lots of news from around The Town, the state and the nation: a scary kidnapping scam and protestors shut down the school board meeting in Oakland; students, educators and officials grapple with the Israel-Palestine conflict on campuses across the state (and country); Biden’s new student loan forgiveness plan survives a Republican challenge. Plus a lot, lot more.

Open charter seats: 11/16

South Star Classroom Podcast Episode 118: Breaking The Codes: From School Dress Codes to Bans on Low Rider Cruising Laws.

In this week’s episode, we take a look at how policies and laws are used to police our communities and cultures.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 11/4/23-11/10/23

From the newswires this week: Jorge Lerma has a sizable lead in the District 5 school board election after more results came in Thursday; OEA passes a resolution demanding freedom for Palestine; California students lost half-a-million instructional days to suspension, with marginalized students the most impacted; and conservative activists were on the losing side of a number of elections nationwide this week.

South Star Classroom Podcast Episode Ep. 117: American Colleges are Changing…

In this episode, we focus on the aftermath of some universities after the end of affirmative action. We also look at a significant increase in American students applying to schools in the UK. Join us.

District 5 school board candidates weigh in on Restorative Justice

Oakland District 5 school board candidates Jorge Lerma and Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez answer a question from Oakland students about school closures.

District 5 school board candidates weigh in on school closures

Oakland District 5 school board candidates Jorge Lerma and Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez answer a question from Oakland students about school closures.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 10/28/23-11/3/23

Happy Friday to you! Pull up a seat, it’s time to dive into some education news with the Oakland Ed Week in Review! This is a Dirk favorite and one of the last blogs he published for Great School Voices. Here’s what we have going on this week: lots of election coverage as the District…

District 5 school board candidates weigh in on the school to prison pipeline

District 5 school board candidates answer a question from Oakland students about the school to prison pipeline.

District 5 school board candidates weigh in on charter schools

District 5 school board candidates answer a question from Oakland students about charter schools.

District 5 school board candidates weigh in on graduation rates

Oakland District 5 school board candidates Jorge Lerma and Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez answer a question from Oakland students about graduation rates.

Open charter seats: 11/1

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application. There are great schools for your child for the 2023-24 school year. Schools like BayTech, AIMS Elementary School (a California Distinguished School) and Francophone Charter School among others have open seats for new students. Those are just a few of the schools, so do your homework and make the best choice you can.

South Star Classroom Podcast Episode 116: The High School Credit System: Its Origins, use in today’s high schools and college admissions and the question of its continued relevance

On today’s episode, the group talks about the Carnegie Unit System: what it is and how it became the basis for high school credit and graduation in every American high school. Is the current credit system still relevant and the best method for assessing a student learning and preparedness for work and post secondary success? What are some alternatives to the credit system both hypothetical and that currently exist?

District 5 school board candidates weigh in on school safety

Oakland District 5 school board candidates Jorge Lerma and Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez answer a question from Oakland students about school safety.

Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez: Great School Voices interview

There is one election in Oakland this year, for the District 5 school board. With a divided board, the person elected will have the opportunity to cast a deciding vote. With so much at stake, we wanted to hear directly from the candidates so voters and the public can better understand their views and plans for their time in office. Students will be those most affected by the decisions the board makes, so we collected student questions from The Oakland Youth Commission to ask candidates Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez and Jorge Lerma.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 10/21/23-10/27/23

Here’s what we have going on this week: District 5 school board race grabbing headlines with two weeks to go until ballots are due (check out our coverage, including video interviews with both candidates); across the Bay, a teachers’ strike is averted; school buses with wifi are (seemingly) on the way after FCC approval.

Jorge Lerma: Great School Voices interview

District 5 school board candidate Jorge Lerma sits down with Great School Voices to answer questions from Oakland students on topics including safety, graduation rates, charter schools, the school-to-prison pipeline, school closures and restorative justice.

Open charter seats: 10/26

Oakland students host their own candidate forum

As ballots started arriving in District 5 voters’ mailboxes in mid-October, students from the Oakland Youth Commission helped raise awareness of the election and of the two candidates’ views at a candidate forum it hosted at Fremont High School.

South Star Classroom Episode 115: The Politicization of a School Board and a Recall Response, feat. Jeff Pack from One Temecula Valley PAC

Tune in for a lively discussion around these topics and more with the latest episode of the South Star Classroom podcast: Tuesday, October 24 at 3 pm PST.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 10/14/23-10/20/23

This week: Oakland students hold a forum for District 5 school board candidates; the state testing data is in and the results are flat — improvement is stagnant and the same proficiency gaps are not budging; 9 out of 10 school districts across the country are struggling to hire teachers, which makes you wonder who’s not struggling?; plus more news from around The Town, state, and nation.

Reclaiming math through our liberator model

“When we surveyed our parents in 2021, 81% of them wanted additional math support for their children. Parents know what they want and need, and we should only ask them once.”

South Star Classroom Episode 114: Retention and Remediation

This week, the group discusses retention and remediation and whether or not that model is outdated and ineffective.

Open charter seats: 10/16

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application. There are great schools for your child for the 2023-24 school year. Schools like BayTech, AIMS Elementary School (a California Distinguished School) and Francophone Charter School among others have open seats for new students. Those are just a few of the schools, so do your homework and make the best choice you can.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 10/7/23-10/13/23

Welcome back to the Oakland Ed Week in Review! This is our weekly roundup of education news articles from Oakland and around the state and nation to help you stay up-to-date with what’s going on. This is a Dirk favorite and one of the last blogs he published for Great School Voices. Here’s what we…

Dirk Tillotson and Rachel Henry-Willis Awards

Last month, Families in Action for Quality Education (FIA) celebrated the legacies of our founder Dirk Tillotson, and legendary family leader and education advocate Rachel Henry-Willis with an awards ceremony on the Lighthouse Community Public School campus.

Open charter seats: 10/10

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application. There are great schools for your child for the 2023-24 school year. Schools like BayTech, AIMS Elementary School (a California Distinguished School) and Francophone Charter School among others have open seats for new students. Those are just a few of the schools, so do your homework and make the best choice you can.

South Star Classroom Episode 113: Is national immigration policy pitting Black and Brown against each other?

A reason we have this podcast is to have these kind of in-depth discussions. This week, the conversation stems from recent news in Chicago about neighbors rallying against the city’s plans to turn a northwest side field house into a migrant shelter.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 9/30/23-10/6/23

This week: a profile of District 5 school board candidate and longtime educator and education advocate, Jorge Lerma; a union representing 900 SFUSD workers — custodians, food service and clerical workers — goes on strike; more student debt relief coming from the Biden Administration, bringing the total to $127 million in relieved debt since he took office.

My family’s unique start to kindergarten

I also had conflicting emotions on that first walk to school because I knew my son’s school year was going to be pretty unique. And I knew his time with in-person school at RHS was going to be limited.

Student-led school board candidate forum on 10/12 at Fremont High

From the Oakland Youth Commission. Please go here to RSVP. The Oakland Youth Vote coalition are co-hosting a student-led Candidate Forum for the November school board election on Thursday, October 12 from 5 – 7 pm. This event is open to the community and will help voters learn about candidates running in the special election…

Implications of new state universal screening legislation for all

SPECIAL GUEST BLOG FOR EDUCATORS from FULCRUM by Kareem Weaver, Executive Director, Liza Finkelstein Co-founder, and Devika Sood, Director of Program. California’s new K-2 universal screening legislation (that goes by the name Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill) is a critical step for its educational system. It is an opportunity to engage in continuous improvement, leverage…

South Star Classroom Episode 112: We Were Promised Jetpacks — The Lack of Education Reform Post COVID

This week, we welcome guests from Big Picture Learning for a discussion about if schools enacted the promise of change after COVID.

Open charter seats: 10/3

There are great schools for your child for the 2023-24 school year. Schools like BayTech, AIMS Elementary School (a California Distinguished School) and Francophone Charter School among others have open seats for new students. Those are just a few of the schools, so do your homework and make the best choice you can.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 9/23/23-9/29/23

Here’s what’s going on this week: the County Superintendent calls out OUSD over budget mismanagement; The Cox Academy community finally secures $28 million in funding through Prop 51 to make safety upgrades; Diane Feinstein pushed for stricter gun laws to stop school shootings – the legacy of the longtime state Senator who died yesterday is explored; plus more news from around The Town, state, and nation.

TONIGHT: Oakland District 5 School Board Candidate Forum hosted by FIA

OAKLAND, CA – What are the values and priorities of the candidates for Oakland school board in District 5? On Thursday, September 28, 2023, hundreds of Oakland public school parents, youth, educators, and school leaders will host Families in Action’s District 5 School Board Candidate Forum. They will hear directly from the only two candidates in…

South Star Classroom Episode 111: Math Education and National Security!

A discussion of national and international math outcomes — why does math education matter beyond K-12? When students aren’t proficient in math, what are the implications for communities, educators and school systems?

Open charter seats: 9/25

The Oakland Public Charter Schools Application is open and accepting students for the 2023-24 school year. You can apply now at OaklandEnrolls.org.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 9/16/23-9/22/23

This week: a discussion about campus safety dominates the most recent OUSD school board meeting; do you call it ‘Cal’ or ‘Berkeley’ – and does it really matter?; we also have some thought-provoking features for you this weekend, including one on a South Carolina teacher returning to school after being reprimanded for teaching a book by Ta-Nehisi Coates; plus more news from around The Town, state, and nation.

We need Black Youth Development in Oakland now more than ever

I moved to Oakland when I was about 10 years old. It was a struggle. I lived in multiple homeless shelters and I did not have much hope for what I could be and do. Programs like those featured on the BYD website were a haven for me and tons of other Black kids who grew up in similar circumstances.

Open charter seats: 9/12

The Oakland Public Charter Schools Application is open and accepting students for the 2023-24 school year. You can apply now at OaklandEnrolls.org.

South Star Classroom Episode #110: Hip-Hop 50 & its impact on education for Black & Brown students

What impact has Hip-Hop had on Black and Brown students’ academic achievement and motivation over the past 50 years? How can Hip-Hop be used to engage and connect with students who may feel disconnected or disengaged from traditional educational approaches? Tune in for a lively discussion around these topics and more with the latest episode of the South Star Classroom podcast.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 9/9/23-9/15/23

In this week’s edition, a look at diversity and inclusion groups in Oakland Unified and their impact in the wake of the bomb threat at Chabot Elementary; one conservative school boards in California rejects a resolution to affirm LGBTQ students’ rights while another bans the Pride flag; and we hear a lot about the ‘science of reading’ – what about the ‘science of math’?; plus more news from around The Town, state, and nation.

Yu Ming community opens new school campus in West Oakland

The Yu Ming community celebrated the opening of a new school building in West Oakland with a ribbon-cutting event.

South Star Classroom Episode #109: Back to School Special

Welcome to a special “Back to School” episode. We discuss what families and caregivers, as well as teachers and school leaders, can do to support students.

Open charter seats: 9/12

The Oakland Public Charter Schools Application is open and accepting students for the 2023-24 school year. You can apply now at OaklandEnrolls.org.

Energy Convertors 2023 Report: End-user Accountability

Great School Voices is breaking down the 2022-23 Energy Convertors report section by section into bite-sized pieces for you to digest. In this blog, we get into End-user Accountability.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 9/2/23-9/8/23

This week: an on-campus shooting at Skyline High; Steph Curry surprises students at an East Oakland school and announces he’s raising $50 million for Oakland schools; one-third of California students are chronically absent – what are policymakers doing about this?; and another pandemic-related setback: college students are also struggling with basic math; plus more news from around The Town, state, and nation.

Open charter seats: 9/5

The Oakland Public Charter Schools Application is open and accepting students for the 2023-24 school year. You can apply now at OaklandEnrolls.org.

How to join OUSD’s contingent for Oakland Pride next Sunday, September 10

The Oakland Unified School District shared this message with families, educators and community members: Saturday, September 2, 2023 Hello Oakland Unified Community, Oakland Pride is almost here! Just about every year, the District has a contingent in Oakland’s celebration, and this year is expected to be bigger than ever. The District invites all interested students, staff, and families to join the march in Downtown Oakland on…

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 8/26/23-9/1/23

This week, a racist bomb threat is called into Chabot Elementary; Measure QQ could finally be moving ahead, three years after Oakland voters approved lowering the voting age to 16 for school board elections; and there is a big difference with how well parents think their children are performing in reading and math with how they’re actually doing; plus more news from around The Town, state, and nation.

OUSD Superintendent: We Denounce Racist and Threatening Messages Sent to Chabot Elementary School Community

Chabot Elementary in North Oakland was evacuated on Tuesday morning after a racist bomb threat was emailed to the school principal. Last night, OUSD Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammel sent this message to the OUSD community.

Open charter seats: 8/29

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application. There are great schools for your child for the 2023-24 school year. Schools like BayTech, AIMS Elementary School (a California Distinguished School) and Francophone Charter School among others have open seats for new students. Those are just a few of the schools, so do your homework and make the best choice you can.

MarQuis Evans on what “accountability” means in Energy Convertors 2023 report

In this video, MarQuis Evans, the Energy Convertors program manager, talks about how we all have a role to play in helping young scholars succeed in their education, and what that shared accountability means. The 2023 Energy Convertors Oakland Report contains the voices of over 400 students and is a call to action to improve A-G outcomes and outreach. Download the report here.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 8/19/23-8/25/23

In this week’s report, the Oakland District 5 school board special election is back on; a lawsuit that accuses California of failing low-income students during remote learning will head to trial; with student loan forgiveness plans sidelined, the Biden Administration launches a student debt plan; plus more news from around The Town, state, and nation.

Energy Convertors 2023 Report: Systemic Accountability

Energy Convertors 2022-2023 Report is available now to download. Great School Voices is breaking down the report section by section into bite-sized pieces for you to digest. We start with the first section of the report, Systemic Accountability.

A letter to Bitwise Industries leadership before the collapse

At the end of May this year, on Memorial Day, Bitwise Industries, a tech startup that “promised to uplift marginalized communities and change the narratives of underestimated places” furloughed its workers and soon shut down. Among those who lost their jobs were Kennan Scott, the former OUSD Director of Computer Science, a longtime educator and winner of one of the first State of Black Education Oakland (SoBEO) Impact Awards. Kennan’s wife, Karen, also worked for Bitwise Industries Oakland. In this guest piece, Kennan shares a message he sent to the Bitwise team shortly before the layoffs:

Open charter seats: 8/22

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application. There are great schools for your child for the 2023-24 school year. Schools like BayTech, AIMS Elementary School (a California Distinguished School) and Francophone Charter School among others have open seats for new students. Those are just a few of the schools, so do your homework and make the best choice you can.

Get PAID as a math tutor in Oakland with REACH Math Liberator Fellowship

Too many Oakland students are struggling with math! We know that early success in math leads to later success in life. But only 1 out of 10 Black and Brown students are prepared to do math at grade level. We know our kids can excel in math and they don’t have time to wait. The…

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 8/12/23-8/18/23

This week, a major shocker in Oakland: both candidates for the District 5 school board election have been ruled ineligible due to an error by city officials about which boundary to use; state Attorney General Rob Bonta (rightly) comes out against a school district’s transgender policy; and make sure not to miss the uplifting story of a Black student who graduated high school at 12(!) and college at 14(!); plus more news from around The Town, state, and nation.

Take “Talking Transition Oakland” Survey — Message from OUSD and Oakland Mayor Thao

This summer, Mayor Sheng Thao launched Talking Transition Oakland, a citywide engagement effort that centers youth and uplifts underrepresented voices. The initiative brings together City Hall and the community to build a path forward for Oakland. To share your thoughts on the city’s housing, community safety, and economic development, take the citywide survey at www.oaklandca.gov/talkingtransition, and save the dates for Talking Transition’s public events on 9/9, 9/16, and 9/23.

Vote for FIA and The Oakland REACH on SXSW Panel

You can help send great people from two organizations founded in Oakland to SXSW EDU Conference & Festival!

Open charter seats: 8/15

There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go – Oakland Enrolls to submit your application. There are great schools for your child for the 2023-24 school year. Schools like BayTech, AIMS Elementary School (a California Distinguished School) and Francophone Charter School among others have open seats for new students. Those are just a few of the schools, so do your homework and make the best choice you can.

Energy Convertors 2022-23 Oakland Report

The 2022-23 Energy Convertors Report on Oakland public schools is available to download. We’re excited to share with you the findings from this year’s report. Student researchers focused on A-G course completion this year, and found significant gaps in Oakland student understanding of these courses a student is required to pass if they are going to gain admission to a UC or CSU school.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 8/5/23-8/11/23

This week, school in Oakland is back in session; a housing initiative aims to keep Black teachers in Oakland; immigrant parents in San Francisco can vote in the city’s school board elections after a court ruling; and 1 in 4 kids are chronically absent in schools across the country, a huge spike from pre-Covid; plus more news from around The Town, state, and nation.

Open charter seats: 8/10

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 7/29/23-8/4/23

This week: Are you ready for school to start? Oaklandside breaks down why OUSD starts earlier than nearby districts; a look at the teaching crisis from the perspective of a rural, California district; and a look at how Teach for America is pivoting after it placed its smallest number of teachers in schools in 15 years; plus more news from around The Town, state, and nation.

Oakland charter school enrollment trends

With the 2023-24 school year starting this month, Great School Voices connected with Lisa Gibes de Gac, Executive Director of Oakland Enrolls to ask about trends in applications to Oakland charter schools. (photo courtesy of Oakland Enrolls) At this point in the year, we’re seeing a 12% increase in families applying compared to this time last…

Open charter seats: week of 8/1

Last week before school starts! Find an open seat at a quality school here! Each week, Great School Voices shares the open charter schools of the week from Oakland Enrolls. The Oakland Public Charter Schools Application is open and accepting students for the 2023-24 school year. You can apply now at OaklandEnrolls.org. There is still time to…

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 7/22/23-7/28/23

This week, OUSD is looking to hire 100 new teachers with school starting Aug. 7; interesting profile of OUSD board president Mike Hutchinson; an appellate court heard arguments about non-citizen parents and guardians voting in San Francisco school board elections; and according to a new report, a crisis in teaching quality may be stalling academic recovery; plus more news from around The Town, state, and nation.

Open charter seats: week of 7/25

Each week, Great School Voices shares the open charter schools of the week from Oakland Enrolls. The Oakland Public Charter Schools Application is open and accepting students for the 2023-24 school year. You can apply now at OaklandEnrolls.org. There is still time to enroll your child in an amazing Oakland school. You know where to go –…

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 7/15/23-7/21/23

Happy Friday, Oakland! This is the Oakland Ed Week in Review, our weekly roundup of education news articles from Oakland and around the state and nation to help you stay up-to-date with what’s going on. This is a Dirk favorite and one of the last blogs he published for Great School Voices. We are back…

Open charter seats: week of 7/18

Each week, Great School Voices shares the open charter schools of the week from Oakland Enrolls.

The Oakland Public Charter Schools Application is open and accepting students for the 2023-24 school year. You can apply now at OaklandEnrolls.org.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 7/1/23-7/15/23

Oakland kids enjoying summer; California finally mandates dyslexia screening for young learners, joining the vast majority of states that already do; and info on Biden’s “Plan B” for student loan forgiveness.

Open charter seats: week of 7/11

California’s Williams Decision and holding teachers accountable for Black scholars post-integration

There’s clearly a difference between being a teacher who teaches Black scholars vs. an educator who teaches Black scholars to be excellent and are culturally aware of the mission they must accomplish for Black culture to thrive. This article is simply my therapeutic way of getting things off my mind so I can get back to being the solution.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 6/24/23-6/30/23

This week, literacy advocacy superstar Bri Moore is profiled in The Oaklandside; a look at what the Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action means for California; some reactions on the Supreme Court decision to axe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan; and a thought-provoking look at why more women aren’t running America’s largest school districts.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 6/17/23-6/23/23

This week, Families in Action (FIA) parents and organizers are profiled in The Oaklandside; another good article in the Oaklandside looks at advocacy work Education for Change’s Cox Academy parents are doing to make their school building safe for their kids; the national testing data shows how much the pandemic has cratered progress: the math scores are the same as 1990 and reading scores the same as 2004.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 6/10/23-6/16/23

This week, not much happening in Oakland, but interesting stuff from around the state: budget approvals and an averted teachers’ strike among the headlines; and a must-read New York Times opinion piece on how K-12 enrollment is declining across the country and what that means for the future of US education.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 6/3/23-6/9/23

This week, check out a profile of Oakland REACH CEO Lakisha Young; the number of credentialed teachers in California decreased this year; and the first religious charter school opened in Oklahoma.

Open charter seats: week of 6/7

What makes it a “distinguished school”? Touring AIMS College Prep Elementary School

To better understand why AIMS is one of the top performing schools in Oakland, we went behind the scenes for a school tour. We visited classrooms and spoke with students, educators, and administrators to better understand what’s going on.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 5/27/23-6/2/23

Happy Summer, Oakland! We’re still bringing you the Oakland Ed Week in Review, our weekly roundup of education news articles from Oakland and around the state and nation to help you stay up-to-date with what’s going on. This is a Dirk favorite and one of the last blogs he published for Great School Voices. This…

Agentic and Empowered 2023

OAKLAND, CA – Black and Brown Oakland public school students face some stark educational disparities – only one in 10 can do math on grade level and only 2 in 10 can read on grade level. What can families do to take immediate action to support their scholars, and what collective efforts can we all…

The Oakland Ed Week in Review: 5/20/23-5/26/23

This week, check out an opinion piece on how a assembly bill will harm California charter schools serving high-needs families; some reflection on and fallout from the OEA strike; and the US Surgeon General says social media puts young people’s mental health at risk.

The Oakland Teacher’s Strike impact on student learning

This is a guest post from Oakland public school student Alejandra Lopez-Herrera of Energy Convertors.

Open charter seats: week of 5/23

The Oakland Ed Week in Review: 5/13/23-5/19/23

This week, there’s a look at the deal OEA teachers signed with OUSD after the strike; an alarming investigative piece on how much lead is in the drinking water in California childcare centers; and a list of Presidential Scholars from around the Bay and the country.

Open charter seats: week of 5/16

The Oakland Public Charter Schools Application is open and accepting students for the 2023-24 school year. You can apply now at OaklandEnrolls.org.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review Special Edition: 7 Days of OEA Strike

Today – Friday, May 12 – the Oakland Education Association (OEA) teacher strike reached its seventh day. To help our readers better understand what’s been going on with negotiations, and also get some insight into how students and families are feeling about all of this as well, we’re giving you a day-by-day breakdown in a…

Energy Convertors: Agentic and EmpowerED 2023

Join us for an eye-opening and transformative event, Agentic and EmpowerED Oakland 2023, specifically designed for parents and families in West Oakland. Our mission is to bring awareness to crucial data that may not be readily available or discussed regarding Oakland’s education system, focusing on the challenges faced by our Black and Brown scholars.

Open Charter Seats: Week of 5/9

The Oakland Public Charter Schools Application is open and accepting students for the 2023-24 school year. You can apply now at OaklandEnrolls.org.

The Oakland Ed Week in Review 4/29/23-5/5/23

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