Action (Still) Needed to Serve Oakland’s English Language Learners and How “Dreamers” Can Help

Almost 25 years ago as a bright-eyed and bushy- tailed law student I worked on the so- called “Zambrano case”, where OUSD conceded that they were not adequately serving English Language Learners (ELLs) and promised to do better.  The central issue raised was the lack of sufficient bilingual staff in Oakland and the District’s structural…


Getting honest on charter school admissions, and catching bad actors

Some time ago, at a charter school near you, I went to enroll a foster child, let’s call her ”Keasha”.  She needed a good school, that was smaller and more personalized.  Brushing aside my lack of legal authority, we asked the receptionist for an application.  She explained that the school may not have any spots,…