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 Oakland | Oakland faces potential federal funding cuts under President-elect Trump, jeopardizing $130 million annually that supports housing, education, and vulnerable populations..
In the Greater Bay Area | Four Bay Area school districts, including Oakland, Hayward, Fremont, and Alum Rock Unified, face budget deficits due to declining enrollment and the end of pandemic funds. Oakland may consolidate 10 schools, while Alum Rock considers closing seven, as districts prioritize class sizes, teacher pay, and programs amid tough cuts..
Throughout the State of California | California’s public pre-K and TK expansion aims to double seats for 4-year-olds, but new credentialing rules threaten to exclude bilingual educators critical to its multilingual population, prompting calls for flexible pathways and support to maintain diversity. Meanwhile, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit alleging LAUSD’s ethnic studies curriculum promotes antisemitism, citing lack of harm, though an appeal is planned. In Chula Vista, officials will decide in December whether to fill two school board vacancies through appointments or a special election, while in San Diego Unified, data shows three-quarters of kindergartners are already a grade level behind in literacy.
National News & Perspectives | A national survey shows parents increasingly rely on teacher communication over grades due to skepticism about grade inflation, while the Arkansas AP African American Studies debate highlights democratic tensions in curriculum decisions. Linda McMahon’s appointment as Education Secretary signals a shift toward workforce development and school choice, sparking concerns about funding inequities. Republican-led voucher expansions face voter resistance, reflecting public concerns over impacts on public schools, while critics of school choice argue it undermines educational independence. Schools brace for disruptions amid Trump’s deportation policies, and lawsuits against social media companies for student mental health impacts gain traction. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s Ad Astra preschool emphasizes STEM but faces scrutiny for its literacy focus and federal policy implications. Other developments include a Supreme Court review of E-rate funding, debates over a larger child tax credit, and legislation to abolish the Department of Education.
City & State Roundup | The Chicago school board is urging swift contract negotiations with its teachers union, Illinois releasing a Vision 2030 education blueprint, and Arizona indicting two individuals for a $110,000 school voucher fraud scheme. Massachusetts ended its final teacher strikes in two communities, while Black educators in Philadelphia voiced concerns over state rollbacks on culturally relevant teaching guidelines. Newark schools must repay $30,000 for misusing taxpayer funds, and NYC avoided midyear school budget cuts but saw a slight rise in long-term suspensions. Ohio enacted a single-sex bathroom law, and Illinois’ attorney general found District 211 violated laws by ticketing students. D.C. schools saw minimal enrollment growth, Connecticut launched a fellowship potentially expanding charter schools, and Florida reported a near doubling of library book removals, exceeding 700 in the past year..
Classroom Connections | Elementary students benefit from visible thinking strategies like annotating texts and sharing oral explanations to build metacognition and lifelong learning skills. English Language Learners (ELLs) thrive with content-specific scaffolds and tiered support that integrate language development with academic mastery, while culturally responsive education (CRE) fosters equity and engagement by embedding students’ identities into teaching practices, distinguishing itself from Critical Race Theory. In middle schools, active engagement through goal setting and structured discussions promotes independence and critical thinking, while integrating SEL programs reduces chronic absenteeism by addressing bullying and weak connections. Additional insights cover classroom tech management, curriculum transparency, the SAMR model for tech integration, and disparities in early keyboarding instruction.
What did we miss? Hit us up in the comments below:
OAKLAND
Oakland Relies on Millions from the Federal Government: What if Trump Cuts It? By Natalie Orenstein and Ashley McBride | The Oaklandside || Oakland faces significant risks to its federal funding under President-elect Trump, who previously threatened to cut support for sanctuary cities, including Oakland, which relies on $130 million annually from the federal government. The city’s Housing and Community Development Department receives $14.4 million in annual HUD grants for affordable housing and relies on federal tax credits for 40% of new affordable housing construction. Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) also depends on $52.2 million in federal funds each year, supporting special education, high-poverty schools, and English learners. Cuts to these programs would harm vulnerable populations and undermine the city’s ability to address housing and educational inequities, forcing local leaders to prepare for potential funding challenges.
THE BAY AREA
At least 4 Bay Area school districts meeting over massive budget shortfalls By Amanda Quintana | KTVU FOX 2 || At least four Bay Area school districts, including Hayward Unified, Fremont Unified, Alum Rock Unified, and Oakland Unified, are grappling with significant budget deficits driven by declining enrollment and the expiration of pandemic relief funds. Enrollment drops are attributed to lower birth rates, rising living costs, and the expansion of charter schools, with Hayward Unified losing 3,500 students in eight years. Hayward officials, while not planning immediate school closures, anticipate program and staffing cuts, while Fremont deliberates on where to trim budgets. Oakland Unified faces a $95-million deficit and is considering consolidating 10 schools, while Alum Rock Unified, projecting a $20-million shortfall, may close seven schools and consolidate two. These districts are engaging communities to weigh priorities like class sizes, teacher salaries, and arts and sports programs, underscoring the difficult choices ahead.
Thousands of California Students Are Homeless: One Young Woman’s Story By Blake Nelson | San Diego Union-Tribune || Alizé Satberry’s experience highlights the struggles of California’s 17,800 homeless students, a population that has grown significantly in recent years. As a teenager, Satberry and her family moved from shelter to shelter, facing the stigma and challenges of homelessness while she tried to blend in at school. Her story mirrors that of many young people grappling with housing insecurity, with some sleeping in cars or relying on shelters like San Diego Youth Services, which helped Satberry find stability. Now 24, living in her own apartment, and working as an intern, she advocates for youth homelessness awareness, leading marches and sharing her journey to inspire change. Despite her progress, Satberry’s mantra, “This is mine,” reflects the lasting emotional impact of years without a home.
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Teacher Diversity Is Key to California’s Expanding Public Early Education System By Conor Williams | LA School Report || California’s ambitious expansion of its public pre-K and transitional kindergarten (TK) programs aims to double seats for 4-year-olds to 400,000, but new credentialing requirements threaten to exclude many experienced, bilingual early educators. Nearly 60% of California children under five have at least one non-English-speaking parent, making the need for linguistically diverse teachers crucial. However, stringent credentialing processes, such as unpaid student teaching hours and bachelor’s degree mandates, disproportionately impact bilingual educators and people of color. Experts suggest reforms, including financial support for non-traditional candidates or flexible credentialing pathways, to ensure California retains its diverse workforce and meets the needs of its multilingual student population.
Judge Dismisses Antisemitism Lawsuit Over LA Ethnic Studies Course By Brendan Clarey | Chalkboard News || A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by a coalition of Jewish parents and teachers alleging that an ethnic studies curriculum in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) classrooms promotes antisemitism by criticizing Zionism and Israel. Judge Fernando M. Olguin ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing, noting that LAUSD has not formally adopted the curriculum and the plaintiffs could not demonstrate harm. While the plaintiffs argue the curriculum promotes prejudice and violates laws against discrimination, the court found no evidence of direct injury to students or teachers. The plaintiffs, represented by The Deborah Project, plan to appeal, calling the ruling flawed and emphasizing the broader context of rising antisemitism in education.
CIty & County Roundup:
- 2 Chula Vista school board seats are about to be vacant. How will officials fill them? By Tammy Murga | The San Diego Union-Tribune || The school board will have to weigh its options in December to fill those two vacancies via appointments or a special election.
- How well can San Diego Unified students read? Data show literacy gaps for middle schoolers, youngest children By Kristen Taketa | The San Diego Union-Tribune || Three-quarters of kindergartners who took one literacy test this fall were already a grade level behind.
NATIONAL NEWS & PERSPECTIVES
Survey: For Most Parents, Grades Have Lost Ground as Measure of Student Progress By Linda Jacobson | The 74 || A national survey of 20,000 parents revealed a growing reliance on teacher communication over grades to assess student progress. With 30% of parents prioritizing teacher insights compared to 20% relying on report cards, the trend reflects skepticism about grade inflation and increased value in direct feedback. Parents of students they perceive as below grade level were even more likely to engage teachers frequently and seek tutoring, though many cite cost barriers. Grade inflation, long a concern, was exacerbated during the pandemic, diminishing grades’ reliability. Teachers like Cicely Woodard emphasize transparency, using detailed grading and listening to parental concerns. Meanwhile, parents like Melony Watson, who felt misled by inflated grades, now prioritize active collaboration with teachers. The shift underscores the need for schools to enhance teacher training in communicating academic performance and integrating parents into learning strategies. Effective engagement could empower families to better sup
Education Culture Wars: Democracy in Curriculum Battles By Robert Maranto, Sarah Ruth Morris, and James V. Shuls | Education Next || The Arkansas debate over AP African American Studies illustrates the democratic tension in public education, with state officials asserting authority while local educators and activists defend curricular autonomy. Critics highlight omissions, like Abraham Lincoln and examples of interracial cooperation, while supporters value the course’s role in addressing historical gaps. These conflicts reflect broader culture wars tied to identity and historical narratives. To manage such tensions, the authors propose embracing pluralism, expanding curriculum options, and prioritizing local decision-making to uphold democratic principles in education.
Education Policy Shifts Under New Administration By Dana Godek and Michael Moore | District Administration || The appointment of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education signals a significant pivot in federal education priorities, with a focus on workforce development, school choice, and decentralization. McMahon is expected to emphasize career and technical education (CTE) by expanding Perkins V funding and promoting apprenticeships, potentially diverting resources from traditional academic programs. Her policies also aim to bolster parental rights through initiatives like vouchers and charter school support, increasing curriculum transparency but challenging traditional public school budgets. Districts must adapt by fostering industry partnerships, engaging parents, and advocating for equitable funding, as federal support shifts toward state-driven, outcome-based models prioritizing workforce alignment over broader educational equity.
Republicans’ big idea for remaking public education hits voter resistance By Juan Perez Jr. | POLITICO || Republican-led efforts to expand taxpayer-funded private school vouchers are moving forward despite significant voter pushback in key states. Despite legislative wins, resistance persists. Recent voter-driven defeats of school choice measures in Kentucky, Colorado, and Nebraska highlight a disconnect: many voters supporting conservative policies reject broad voucher initiatives, citing concerns over public school funding and inequity. Critics argue that such programs disproportionately benefit wealthier families while undermining public education. Teacher unions and advocacy groups are mobilizing to resist these efforts, employing legal challenges and grassroots campaigns to protect public school funding. The debate underscores a growing rift between state-level policies and voter sentiment over the future of public education.
The Dependency Trap: Why School Choice Is a False Promise By Robert Bortins | Real Clear Education || Government-funded school choice undermines educational independence, creates political dependency, and shifts responsibility from families to the government. Evidence shows such programs erode autonomy through increased regulation, as seen in Sweden, where state control eventually eliminated meaningful choice. These initiatives also make schools vulnerable to political shifts, risking forced alignment with government agendas. Claims of improved outcomes are weak, with examples like Sweden showing declining academic performance. Furthermore, subsidies often benefit existing private school families, driving education inflation and higher taxes without significantly aiding disadvantaged students. Real reform should focus on empowering parents through reduced regulation, expanded homeschooling freedoms, and lower taxes, fostering true educational independence and protecting schools from government control.
Schools Brace for Upheaval Amid Fear of Mass Deportations By Bianca Vázquez Toness | Associated Press || Educators nationwide are preparing for potential disruptions as President-elect Trump’s pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants sparks fear among immigrant families. Past experiences, like false rumors of school immigration raids during Trump’s first term, highlight how such threats disrupt education, with students avoiding school out of fear. Policies protecting “sensitive locations” like schools may be rescinded, further exacerbating anxiety. Districts, including Beaverton in Oregon, are training staff to deny immigration agents entry, while others bring in legal aid to help families prepare care plans for children. School leaders emphasize protecting students’ right to education, but fear of backlash from conservative boards complicates efforts to publicly affirm immigrant families’ safety. For many, the uncertainty alone already disrupts learning and community stability.
In other National News:
- Why E-rate’s future is now in the hands of the Supreme Court By Anna Merod | K-12 Dive || The court is set to review the 5th Circuit’s decision striking down the funding mechanism for the FCC’s Universal Service Fund next year.
- A bigger child tax credit would ease poverty, help children in school. But will it happen? By Chabeli Carrazana, The 19th | Chalkbeat || Candidates promised a bigger child tax credit. A Republican-controlled Congress will decide its fate next year.
- How trans students and families are preparing for Trump’s second term By Wellington Soares | Chalkbeat || The election of Donald Trump sent a wave of fear through trans youth and their allies. But they’re also organizing and deploying lessons from states that already have restrictive laws.
- South Dakota Senator files bill to abolish Department of Education By Tom Joyce | The Center Square || U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., recently filed a bill titled the “Returning Education to Our States Act.” His bill would eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and redistribute any “critical federal programs” to other departments, according to a press release from his office.
- School districts join large-scale legal fight against social media companies By Austin Gergens | Chalkboard News || A spate of New York School districts have become the latest to join more than 500 school districts across the United States suing the biggest social media companies for what they allege are adverse effects on students’ mental health.
- Elon Musk Is Opening a School for Young Students. Here’s What We Know About It By Sarah Schwartz | Education Week || Elon Musk’s new Ad Astra preschool in Texas emphasizes STEM and project-based learning but faces scrutiny over its literacy focus and potential influence on federal K-12 policy through Musk’s ties to the Trump administration.
- Trump picks Rollins to lead USDA — and thus school nutrition programs By Sarah Zimmmerman and Anna Merod | K-12 Dive || Like Trump’s nomination for education secretary, Rollins also comes from the right-wing think tank America First Policy Institute.
City & State Roundup:
- Chicago school board wants a teachers contract “in the coming days” By Mila Koumpilova | Chalkbeat || School board members called on the district to settle with its teachers union on the same day the union asked them to intervene.
- Illinois education leaders release blueprint for the future of education By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square || Vision 2030 and revolves around three education pillars, including future-focused learning, shared accountability and predictable funding.
- Arizona grand jury indicts pair for alleged school voucher fraud By Gabriel Sandoval | The Associated Press || An Arizona grand jury has indicted two out-of-state residents for allegedly applying to the state’s private school voucher program as parents to 50 children – 43 of whom did not exist – and receiving more than $110,000.
- Remaining Massachusetts communities reach deals with striking teachers By Steve LeBlanc | Associated Press || Two Massachusetts communities reached deals with their striking teachers union Tuesday, ending the last of three teachers strikes in communities north of Boston.
- In wake of effort to restrict ‘culturally relevant teaching,’ Black educators in Philly say they’re worried By Dale Mezzacappa | Chalkbeat || In the wake of a state settlement rolling back some teacher training guidelines about cultural relevance, Black educators say they worry about the impact on the state’s teaching workforce.
- Staff fun day costs violated state rules on using taxpayer money, state investigation finds By Catherine Carrera | Chalkbeat || The Newark Board of Education agreed to pay back the state more than $30,000 in state aid.
- Budget relief for NYC schools: No midyear cuts, a return to pandemic-era policy By Julian Shen-Berro | Chalkbeat || About half of the city’s public schools would have otherwise lost out on $157 million dollars in midyear cuts, according to the city’s Education Department.
- NYC school suspensions dip even as lengthier punishments tick up By Alex Zimmerman | Chalkbeat || Schools issued 27,724 suspensions during the 2023-24 school year, a 2.4% decline year over year. But superintendent suspensions, which last six days or longer, ticked up about 1%.
- DeWine signs Ohio bathroom bill into law By J.D. Davidson | The Center Square || Schools in Ohio are required to have single-sex bathrooms and locker rooms after Gov. Mike DeWine signed the state’s bathroom bill into law Wednesday.
- AG finds Palatine schools broke law by using cops to ticket students, urges other districts to review policies By Jodi S. Cohen | Chicago Tribune || In a ruling with statewide implications, the Illinois AG’s office found District 211 in Palatine broke the law by having police fine its students.
- D.C. school enrollment stays relatively flat over last year By Lauren Lumpkin | The Washington Post || About 1,100 more students enrolled in D.C.’s traditional public and charter schools this year, a smaller increase than past years.
- Launch of CT fellowship may mean more charter schools By Jessika Harkay | CT Mirror || Four people will receive a salary for up to two years as they undergo “personalized coaching and support from a network of educational and executive leaders”
- Department of Education Reports Near Double Increase in Library Book Removals By Jay Waagmeester | Florida Phoenix || Florida school boards removed over 700 books from school libraries during the 2023-2024 school year, according to the Florida Department of Education.
CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS
Guiding Elementary Students to Show Their Thinking By Kathy Collier | Edutopia || Making thinking visible helps elementary students develop metacognition and deeper learning. Teachers can model strategies using tools like document cameras and rubrics while encouraging students to annotate texts, color-code revisions, and share oral explanations. These practices foster self-assessment, collaboration, and agency, ensuring students see and celebrate their progress while building essential skills for lifelong learning.
Beyond Translations: Effective Scaffolds to Support ELLs By Timothy Montalvo | eSchool Media || Supporting English Language Learners (ELLs) requires a focus on scaffolding strategies that integrate language development with academic mastery, rather than relying on translations, which can hinder English proficiency and engagement. Content-specific strategies enhance learning in key areas: Social Studies benefits from visuals, timelines, sentence starters, and collaborative activities; Math gains from manipulatives, step-by-step instructions, and vocabulary lessons; Science thrives with anchor charts, hands-on experiments, and graphic organizers; and English improves through teaching morphology, leveled texts, and sentence frames. A tiered approach further supports ELLs, with Tier 1 providing universal scaffolds like visuals and modeling, Tier 2 offering small-group support for key skills, and Tier 3 delivering intensive, individualized interventions. By emphasizing differentiated scaffolding across subjects and support levels, educators can help ELLs achieve both language proficiency and academic success.
Culturally Responsive Education Is Not Synonymous with Critical Race Theory By Larry Ferlazzo | Education Week || Culturally responsive education (CRE) is an asset-based approach that integrates students’ identities, lived experiences, and cultural values into teaching to foster learning, engagement, and equity for all. Often misunderstood, CRE is mistaken as a strategy, limited to students of color, or synonymous with Critical Race Theory (CRT). However, it is a broader framework rooted in multiple theories, emphasizing identity, critical thinking, and joy alongside academic skills. Missteps include reducing culture to stereotypes or treating CRE as an “extra task,” when it should be embedded in all teaching practices. Advocates argue that CRE benefits all students and teachers, advancing equity, inclusion, and social consciousness in education.
Promoting Active Engagement in Middle School By Kasey Short | Edutopia || Active engagement transforms students into independent thinkers by requiring them to take ownership of their learning through strategies like goal setting, reflective writing, and structured discussions. Techniques such as writing breaks, interactive polls, and response cards ensure all students participate, while discussion protocols like pre-planning and dedicated think time foster collaboration and accountability. These approaches build confidence, critical thinking, and a culture of growth in middle school classrooms.
Why SEL Must Be Part of the Chronic Absenteeism Solution By Andrea Lovanhill | eSchool News || Chronic absenteeism, affecting one in four students post-pandemic, threatens long-term academic and personal outcomes. Social-emotional learning (SEL) programs address key drivers of absenteeism, such as bullying, weak teacher-student connections, and family disengagement. SEL builds empathy, fosters trust, and strengthens relationships, encouraging students to attend school regularly. Effective SEL strategies empower educators to connect with students through simple actions like personalized greetings and active listening, creating supportive and engaging learning environments. School leaders can amplify SEL’s impact by embedding it in strategic plans, monitoring progress, and prioritizing relationship-building across the school community. By integrating SEL, schools can reduce absenteeism and reengage students in learning.
In other Classroom Connections:
- Classroom Management in the Tech Era By Paige Tutt | Edutopia || Integrating technology into classrooms requires strong management strategies to ensure smooth and productive lessons. Teachers must establish clear expectations for device use, storage, and accountability while maintaining structured routines to prevent disruptions.
- Inside the Effort to Shed Light on Districts’ Curriculum Choices By Sarah Schwartz | Education Week || Some states, like Massachusetts, are developing tools to bring transparency to K-12 curriculum choices, allowing districts to see which materials others are using and how they align with quality standards.
- Applying the SAMR Model in K–12 Education By Alexandra Shimalla | EdTech K-12 || The SAMR model, developed by Ruben Puentedura in 2010, offers a framework for integrating technology into K–12 classrooms to enhance learning rather than replace instruction. The model’s four tiers—Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition—guide educators in progressively incorporating tech tools to foster creativity and real-world skills.
- How and When Students Learn to Type, in Charts By Ileana Najarro | Education Week || With the rise of digital standardized tests, such as the College Board’s AP exams, schools are increasingly emphasizing keyboarding instruction, particularly in grades 3-5. However, only 8% of schools offer dedicated keyboarding classes, with most integrating the skill into general classroom instruction. Early keyboarding instruction can help students avoid inefficient typing habits like “hunt-and-peck,” but disparities persist, with wealthier districts more likely to introduce the skill in grades K-2.