Oakland’s raucous debate around including all public schools—charters and district-run in a single enrollment system—is literally much ado about nothing. Common enrollment will not happen in the short term in Oakland—the politics are too hot, and the real beneficiaries, Oakland parents stranded without satisfactory neighborhood schools are relegated to the sidelines. The debate dominated by…
common enrollment
When Good Intentions Go Bad, Opportunity Hoarders and Equity in Oakland
Existing rules and the dynamics of choice tend to increase inequality. There don’t need to be any bad actors. As parents we all do try to do the best we can for our children. But that pattern of choices, and neighborhood assignment, tend to reinforce and increase the distance between children of advantage and those…
Choosers, Losers, Abusers and “Opportunity Hoarding” in Oakland
School choice can divide us into winners and losers. In fact it already has. I am talking about charters. But not just charters, also those lucky enough to be able to choose where they live, with corresponding quality neighborhood schools, or have the resources to hustle their kid into an-out-of neighborhood or private option, the…
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…
Hits and Misses in the NY Times article on Oakland
Oakland was showcased in the recent Times article, “Oakland District at the Heart of Drive to Transform Urban Schools.” And while I appreciate the coverage, the article focused too much on the elite adult arguments and too little on the opinions and needs of actual underserved Oakland parents. Oakland is increasingly a forum, where a…