With everything wrong in the world, it is inspiring to work with kids and see them take the lead while we dawdle. Great story in the news this week, where students from a neighboring district, San Leandro, saw the challenges that their neighbors in Castlemont were facing, and they did something, raising money through a…
How Unionized Charters Can Be a Good Thing for Schools and the Union
More charter schools are unionizing. I predicted this a while back in New Orleans, but we are seeing it in Oakland too. A recent article in Oakland magazine highlighted a number of East Bay charters where teachers are organizing. And while there are some sweaty palms and gnashing of teeth, this may not be a…
The Charter School Transparency We Need in CA
Sunshine is a great disinfectant. Peering behind the curtain of public institutions allows us to oversee them and hold them accountable. That’s why I along with many others, were surprised to see Governor Brown veto AB 709, a bill to increase charter transparency. After some research, though, I understand this veto, and I also see…
Good News for Oakland; Facilities Lawsuit May Settle
Veering away from a dangerous cliff, Oakland Unified and the State Charter School Association agreed to “stay” or pause the lawsuit over access to facilities. We covered this issue earlier, but the short of the matter is that OUSD was likely going to lose a multi million dollar lawsuit over access to facilities, and this…
A Parent Rejects the Divisions and Argues for Solutions Now in Oakland
I am an Oakland public school parent. So I have joined this (oaklandpublicschoolparents) listserve believing it is all about improving our public schools for the students. And time to read is precious, I work , and evenings are spent supporting my daughter’s public school as PTSA parent leader and getting my athlete back and forth…