We are at a rare moment when public opinion and education research are aligned in California and we need to seize the day. A recent poll showed that 67% of Californian’s supported increased taxes on the wealthy to fund early childhood programs. Almost simultaneously Education Week reported on a remarkable study out of Chicago showing…
What’s Working
Breaking the Cycle in Oakland: A Woke Grandparent’s Story
Connie Williams is a mother and grandmother of Oakland public school children, she also graduated from Oakland public schools. She is one of the lead parents in the Oakland REACH, a new parent driven organization advocating for quality education for ALL of Oakland’s families with a focus on equity. Making our Voices Heard We are the…
Woke Parents, the System’s Worst Nightmare
Mama Williams graduated from an Oakland public high school with A’s and B’s, but she couldn’t read. This week she was organizing with nearly 100 other Oakland parents at DeFremery Park in West Oakland the goal was “breaking the cycle.” You can see the video here. They were part of the first class of an…
Fewer Students Transfer Out of Oakland’s Charter Schools Mid-Year, Than From District Schools
There is and inconvenient truth in the Oakland public school wars, students at charter public schools are less likely to transfer mid-year than those at district schools. I know that if you just listened to the so called debate, you would not know that. But that is what the California Department of Education’s data says.…
Important Tips For Oakland Families Still Looking for the Best School For Their Child
Recently, several parents have asked me about options for enrolling for the current year now that school has started. To get answers, I spoke with Shawn Masten, the external engagement project manager from Enroll Oakland Charters, an Oakland nonprofit dedicated to streamlining the public school enrollment process and helping families make informed choices, with a…