“No Excuses” Only Works When It Applies to the Adults in the School, Too; A Black Parent’s Perspective

The problem with many “no excuses” schools is that that motto is often imposed on children but not adults.  The adults make all kinds of excuses about the kids who don’t want to learn, whose parents won’t support the school, or whatever justification they have for pushing out kids who don’t fit the mold.  I…


What’s Happening in Oakland Education This Week-January 29th

Another busy week in the Town, the MLK Oratorical festival, the OUSD Budget and Finance Committee, it is still open enrollment for most charters with tours at American Indian High, and EBIA, a screening and fundraiser around restorative justice, the Two-Spirit Powwow, please sign up for the African American read in next week, all that…


The Oakland Education Roundup the Week of 1/26/18

All the education news from Oakland and beyond- this week-A parent digs into the OUSD bond money fiasco, lead in the pipes, a youth led forum with the Supe, OUSD enrollment deadline 1/26, the hella Black podcast, updates on AC Transit service, fighting to save librarian jobs, Mack wins again and needs your help, did…


Arts Integration and Expeditions with Personalized Learning: A Look at ASCEND, NGLC in Oakland

(A cross post from the Rogers Foundation blog) In the piece below Natalie Buster, our guest blog contributor, had a chance to connect with Morgan Alconcher, Principal of ASCEND, and Julie McMillan, a teacher at ASCEND, to discover how their Next Generation Learning Challenge (NGLC) in Oakland grant allowed the school to evolve into the…


Real Talk, Real Issues, Real Action; A Youth-Led Dialogue with the OUSD Superintendent

“We live in an age when to be young and to be indifferent can be no longer synonymous. We must prepare for the coming hour. The claims of the Future are represented by suffering millions; and the Youth of a Nation are the trustees of Posterity”.–Benjamin Disraeli “How do you succeed in a chaotic school?”…