Here is a great guest post from North Oakland’s own Charles Cole III. Check out the story about his parents and why he works for better education for boys like himself. Recently, the story of my parents, Renate and Charles Cole, went viral after I tweeted on social media: “My parents went back to college…
oakland
Ending Separate and Unequal Schools in Oakland
Most everyone says they want integrated schools. Maybe not “too integrated” if you know what I mean, but “diverse” schools. There is a significant body of research that says it’s good for kids too. But integration ain’t happening. Schools nationwide are more segregated than they were decades ago and nothing will change until we affirmatively…
2 Things You Need to Know about the “Charter Movement”
Everything you hear about charter schools is true. And everything you hear about charter schools is false. That’s what 20 plus years working with them has taught me. They send high numbers of low income kids to college, they pick and choose students, they are safer. They disproportionately suspend certain kids, they save taxpayers money,…
OUSD Tax Measures Are a Step Towards Equity, a Leap is Needed in CA
Oakland’s schools are underfunded and need a permanent fix. While it’s great to see local tax measures on property and developers moving forward, we really need to look hard at the statewide funding system if we are going to get to real equity. The elephant in the room is Proposition 13 which capped all property…
After 8 Schools and Almost Giving Up, I’m Graduating From MetWest and Headed to UC Davis
This guest post is by Camille Marley Brewster (aka Mars), who is graduating from MetWest High School in Oakland Unified School District this month. During my time in Oakland I’ve been to eight different schools, some district, some charter, one home-schooling program twice, and then finally ending up at one very different and special high…