Oakland Unified teachers’ union ratifies distance learning agreement

The Oakland Education Association teachers’ union has voted to approve a tentative agreement reached Aug. 12 with Oakland Unified that will guide how distance learning will be provided to students starting Monday and extending through Dec. 30.

The agreement — approved by 77% of all teachers — requires that students receive between 60 minutes and 150 minutes of live instruction each day, depending on grade level, along with at least 100 minutes to 215 minutes of pre-recorded or other instruction that is not presented live. Instruction is expected to take place between 9 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. Teachers and other union members — including counselors, psychologists, social workers and nurses — are expected to work an average of six hours and 10 minutes each day. Teachers are also given flex time during the school day to use for a variety of tasks such as connecting with families and collaborating with colleagues. In addition, teachers will be given extra time to plan for online courses each Wednesday through Sept. 23.

Although school started Aug. 10, negotiations continued before both sides reached an agreement. In a joint statement, district Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell and union President Keith Brown said the agreement “prioritizes health and safety as well as a rigorous learning experience despite the unprecedented challenges we are facing during the Covid-19 pandemic.”