The Numbers We Are All Judged By

Zero and 0%.  The number and percentage of foster children who completed the A-G requirements in OUSD last year. 13.6% suspension rate, the highest of any tracked subgroup. 22.7% the rate of chronic absenteeism 33% cohort graduation, the lowest These are our children.  They are often technically wards of the State.  They have been burdened…


Common Enrollment is Dead, and That is a Good Thing; for Everyone but Families

I don’t want to call it.  But checking the vital signs and virulent opposition, I think common enrollment is dead in Oakland.  It did not seem like a revolutionary idea.  But may it rest in peace. It seemed like a good idea.  Rather than families needing to fill out 40 some different charter school applications…


RESPONSE: Former Lafayette Principal Responds to Article Detailing Former Student’s Experience

Guest post by Karen Haynes, originally posted by Charles A. Cole III A while back, I wrote an article that discussed work happening at a West Oakland elementary school. In that article, I asked the question of who should I blame my pre-ed reform education on if a plurality of people are now blaming charter…


Hearing the Silent Screams of Students Before It’s Too Late

It was a short note.  “I am sorry, I am not dropping out but I won’t be coming back to school, thank you for everything, I’m sorry.” But it activated a red alert at the school, immediate calls to family, and a staff member dispatched to do a home visit. The student had overdosed on…


Crappy Arguments About the so-called “Charter Movement” and the Case of 5 Keys Charter School

As a member of the so-called “charter movement” I have to tell you: there is no such thing.  Seriously, the “charter movement” is a movement in the same way a bowel movement is a movement (anyone with a capable infrastructure, some inputs, and a little luck can have one—garbage in, garbage out, eat your fiber…