Oakland has some great plans. At the Board meeting we heard about the Quality School Development Process, and directors queried staff on the ins and outs, very academic. But there was one question from student director Ramirez, that quieted the room and is still awaiting an answer. Who is going to teach? You see, the…
What’s Wrong with California Schools? It’s the Money Stupid, Or Does Florida Care More about Kids than California?
Returning to California, I am reminded how effed up school funding is here. Even with the welcome addition of more resources and more targeted funding, CA has a long way to go. Stick with me as I show you the relative Nirvana of NY school funding, and then I am going to practically show you…
What the LAUSD Loss in its Charter Lawsuit Means for Oakland
LAUSD will be forced to pay $7.1 million to a charter school operator after losing a recent arbitration according to the LA Times. Meanwhile, OUSD is embroiled its own suit over the same types of alleged violations and given the facts, its case is not looking good. Years ago the voters approved Proposition 39 which…
Torian’s Death, Trauma’s Effects, and What We Could Have Done
The Town is a violent place. The reaper prowls the “murder mile” and regularly camps in Deep East and West Oakland. And he touches too many Oakland families. Not even city councilmembers are immune, as we were reminded when Torian Hughes, grandson to councilmember McElhaney, was laid to rest, after yet another seemingly senseless shooting.…
Huge Progress for Women in School Leadership—not so much for People of Color
The latest federal numbers are out from IES on demographic trends in public school leadership and it’s a good news, not so good news story. There is actually great news in terms of gender equality—with women going from 25% of principals in 1987-88 to 52% in 2011-12. Their numbers have more than doubled and they…