Prioritize the needs of Special Education students this school year

This pandemic without a doubt forced us to focus on the basic economic needs of families and students. The need for economic stability and housing stability was front and center for so many and that took precedence over the search for internet and devices. The questions were real – will I pay for $10 internet,…


Reforming School Policing to Interrupt White Supremacy: How to truly value Black Lives

Jumoke Hinton Hodge, OUSD Board of Education Director, reflects on Resolution No. 1920 – 0260 We are experiencing Uprisings in the spirit of Brianna Taylor, George Floyd, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Yvette Henderson, Rayshard Brooks, Andreas Guardado and Oscar Grant and demanding an end to police brutality and the minimizing and destroying Black Bodies and…


The African American Achievement Gap and COVID-19: Family Voice and Reimagining What Comes Next

COVID-19 has changed everything and education as we know it will forever be changed. We are astutely aware of how it is bringing disparities and inequities within our community to full view. Of course COVID-19 didn’t bring them about as much as expose the institutional trauma of racism and anti-blackness of the institutions we rely…


Census Day in the Midst of COVID 19, Our Individual Act Will Benefit the Whole!

“We are in a space of uncertainty, but the Census count is certain. Our current needs are colored by our current context but let’s not lose sight of what we need to do to ensure our communities are safe, healthy and our educational needs are being met.” A guest post from OUSD director Jumoke Hinton-Hodge…


The Digital Divide, Parent Access and How We Can More than Survive During the COVID Crisis

By Director Jumoke Hinton-Hodge Oakland’s reality is that families are struggling to meet their basic needs and now carry the additional burden of trying to guide their children’s education. Oakland parents are ready to work on behalf of their children, but now the district must authentically understand what it means to address equity and create…