South Star Classroom Podcast Episode 116: The High School Credit System: Its Origins, use in today’s high schools and college admissions and the question of its continued relevance 

On today’s episode, the group talks about the Carnegie Unit System: what it is and how it became the basis for high school credit and graduation in every American high school. Is the current credit system still relevant and the best method for assessing a student learning and preparedness for work and post secondary success? What are some alternatives to the credit system both hypothetical and that currently exist?


Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez: Great School Voices interview

There is one election in Oakland this year, for the District 5 school board. With a divided board, the person elected will have the opportunity to cast a deciding vote. With so much at stake, we wanted to hear directly from the candidates so voters and the public can better understand their views and plans for their time in office. Students will be those most affected by the decisions the board makes, so we collected student questions from The Oakland Youth Commission to ask candidates Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez and Jorge Lerma.


The Oakland Ed Week in Review 10/21/23-10/27/23

Here’s what we have going on this week: District 5 school board race grabbing headlines with two weeks to go until ballots are due (check out our coverage, including video interviews with both candidates); across the Bay, a teachers’ strike is averted; school buses with wifi are (seemingly) on the way after FCC approval.


Jorge Lerma: Great School Voices interview

District 5 school board candidate Jorge Lerma sits down with Great School Voices to answer questions from Oakland students on topics including safety, graduation rates, charter schools, the school-to-prison pipeline, school closures and restorative justice.