Last week, the redlined roots of the digital divide in Oakland and elsewhere, looking at schools that are delivering during distance learning, the Green bond pledge for Oakland, some looks at reopening and inequity, as well as schools that still have seats open, that and more, please read, share and get involved
Oakland:
- Access Denied Ep. 3: Racism, Redlining and the Digital Divide in Oakland
- How AIMS kept serving students during distance learning
- Should OUSD take the Green and Social Bond Pledge?
- #OaklandUndivided Campaign Update Shows 25,000 Laptops Are Now In the Pipeline Bound for Oakland Students Who Need Home Access
California:
- California districts can seek waiver for elementary schools from ban on in-school instruction
- A focus on injustice, inequity in public education must drive California’s budget priorities
Other Stories:
- How do we fight for equity when the future of schools is uncertain?
- Judge won’t free Oakland County teen detained after not doing online schoolwork
Resources:
- Charter Schools with Open Seats on July 20th, You Can Still Apply
- 100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day
Oakland:
- Access Denied Ep. 3: Racism, Redlining and the Digital Divide in Oakland
- When 15 million students in this country can’t even get online to access their distance learning materials, something needs to change. Welcome to “Access Denied,” where host Dirk Tillotson covers the movement to provide internet access to all students regardless of family income. In episode 3, Dirk welcomed Oakland school board member Jumoke Hinton Hodge and The Oakland REACH’s Lakisha Young to discuss how we overcome a history of disparities and what we can do to truly fix the digital divide in Oakland—and beyond.
- How AIMS kept serving students during distance learning
- The unprecedented interruption of the 2020 school year has laid bare inequities in our system, with one in five California students (over 1 million) lacking either connectivity or a device, a staggering need. The pandemic has forced schools and school districts to make on-the-fly decisions about how to continue instruction and care of students. Some schools lowered expectations for students, ending the year early for the summer or giving every student an A.
- Should OUSD take the Green and Social Bond Pledge?
- This election, OUSD is placing a $735 million construction bond measure on the November ballot. While the investment is sorely needed, will voters hold their noses, swallow hard and trust the district to not waste all that money, after years of overspending from an organization that lacks an overarching building strategy and has suffered “a systematic breakdown of sound business practices in many areas”? Maybe taking the Green Bond Pledge, and a Social Bond pledge, could help not only sway voters but put the district on a more sustainable path.
- #OaklandUndivided Campaign Update Shows 25,000 Laptops Are Now In the Pipeline Bound for Oakland Students Who Need Home Access
- The #OaklandUndivided campaign’s goal is to get technology into the hands of OUSD students who lack the ability to access online learning at home. Our vision is to ensure all Oakland public school students with a demonstrated need have three things: a computer, internet, and tech support. Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), the City of Oakland/Office of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Tech Exchange, and the Oakland Public Education Fund all partnered to bring these resources to Oakland children.
California:
- California districts can seek waiver for elementary schools from ban on in-school instruction
- Gov. Gavin Newsom didn’t mention it in his hour-long press conference on Friday, but new state guidelines banning in-school instruction in counties on a monitoring list for coronavirus infections includes a waiver provision that could exempt elementary schools.
- A focus on injustice, inequity in public education must drive California’s budget priorities
- As we always knew, the teaching we provide in the classroom is critical, but alone it is not nearly enough to bridge the persistent inequities our students and their families face each day.
Other Stories:
- How do we fight for equity when the future of schools is uncertain?
- What can leaders do to make sure kids aren’t left behind during Covid-19 school closures with Arne Duncan, former secretary of education for the Obama administration
- Judge won’t free Oakland County teen detained after not doing online schoolwork
- An Oakland County family court judge on Monday denied a motion to release a teenager who has been held at a juvenile facility since mid-May for violating probation after not doing her online schoolwork, saying the girl will benefit from ongoing treatment there.
Resources:
- Charter Schools with Open Seats on July 20th, You Can Still Apply
- There are still many great school choices in both the district and charters, if you are still looking, please apply and find the right spot for your child. Go to Oakland Enrolls to submit your application.
- 100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day
- July 26 marks 100 days before the 2020 Election on November 3. As the League of Women Voters celebrates 100 years, and next month marks 100 years since the 19th Amendment was ratified, here are 100 ways to take action, get involved, and make a difference before Election Day! Everyone can do something—what will you do?
What do you think?