This week I was thrilled to see the NYC DoE recognize one of my schools that caters to “transfer” students (never understood that term), with a 30% target for special education enrollment. We have had great results with great young people. Unfortunately California’s funding system would make it very difficult to do a similar school…
What’s Working
Takeaways from Talking Segregation in West Oakland and the Questions We Left with
“Make it big, small changes are not what the next generation needs.” Those were the words of Regina Davis, West Oakland resident, parent and affordable housing developer, when addressing a packed room discussing the history of segregation in Oakland and solutions. Another prominent theme was the need for us to get beyond “stinkin thinking” and…
The Geography of Opportunity in Oakland and How We Change it; Mapping Inequality in Housing, Health and Schools
“An African-American born in West Oakland can expect to die almost 15 years earlier than a White person born in the Hills” –Alameda County Public Health Department Report Some neighborhoods in Oakland provide ample opportunities, safe parks, high achieving schools, clean air, and a wealth of opportunities. Other neighborhoods don’t. And it is not a…
Why We Need to Talk About the State of Black Education in Oakland
It’s a mistake to say the education system is failing, at least in regards to Black students. It is not a coincidence that by most measures Black students are being left behind. And if it were only Oakland that would be one thing, but it is literally the same everywhere 200 million test scores were…
Roosevelt’s Well Deserved Recognition and a Look at my Last Visit Where Adults Dreamed Big and Kids Were Learning to Dream Bigger
Cliff Hong, and the entire Roosevelt community received their due recognition last week when Principal Hong received a prestigious leadership award for his work building community and Roosevelt and improving outcomes. And it reminded me of my inspiring visit there, where I saw community coming together and also some of the relics of education starting…