Ali Tadayon
Follow @@EdsourceAli EmailAli Tadayon covered the cities of Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, Emeryville, El Cerrito and San Pablo for the Bay Area News Group prior to joining Edsource at the start of 2020 as a Journalism Resident. Tadayon cut his teeth as a crime reporter at the Press-Enterprise in Riverside, CA and the Post Register in Idaho Falls, Idaho. His work has earned several awards, including two John Swett Awards from the California Teachers Association for coverage of the Oakland Unified School District. He is a graduate of California public schools, and holds a journalism degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
All articles by Ali Tadayon
Bay Area district plans to offer distance learning in fall even after campuses reopen
Though it’s unclear when in-person instruction will resume, West Contra Costa Unified is creating a “virtual academy” option for the fall.
Ali Tadayon
January 22, 2021
California schools build local wireless networks to bridge digital divide
School districts and cities are looking to creating their own local Wifi networks as a long term solution to the digital divide, and an alternative to hotspots.
Ali Tadayon And Sydney Johnson
January 4, 2021
West Contra Costa Unified superintendent to leave after five years
Superintendent Matthew Duffy resigns effective next June just days after a new majority is elected to the school board.
Ali Tadayon
November 5, 2020
California school districts revert to A-F grades this fall — with more flexibility for some students
California school districts have for the most part resumed A-F grading for the 2020-2021 school year, despite students learning from home.
Ali Tadayon
November 3, 2020
West Contra Costa Unified expected to break even this year after major budget cuts
The West Contra Costa Unified School District is expected to break even this year after making around $30 million in ongoing budget cuts and dipping into its reserves and retiree benefits trust. Though the district is in a better financial position than it was, more cuts could be on the horizon in the next three years as the national recession worsens.
Ali Tadayon
September 23, 2020
USDA allows school districts to resume serving free grab-and-go meals through 2020
The US Department of Agriculture announced Monday that it will allow schools to offer free grab-and-go meals to any student, regardless of eligibility, as they did over the summer.
Ali Tadayon
August 31, 2020
Tighter federal rules end free meals for students in California and nationwide
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has returned to its pre-Covid rules of free meals only to students who qualify for free and reduced priced meals, leaving out those who relied on free grab-and-go meals over the summer.
Ali Tadayon and Joyce Kasing Tagal
August 27, 2020
West Contra Costa Unified to rethink student safety after ending police contracts
The district plans to take a more holistic approach to student safety by relying less on law enforcement for non-serious incidents.
Ali Tadayon
August 5, 2020
California high school sports put on hold until at least December
High School fall sports is on hold in California until at least December. When sports resume, there will likely be a two-season system combining winter and spring sports.
Ali Tadayon
July 20, 2020
A California district’s plan to boost remote learning includes in-person ‘student support hubs’
West Contra Costa Unified in Richmond in the San Francisco Bay Area will open virtually for all students followed by "student support hubs" to direct help including how to use distance learning at home.
Ali Tadayon
July 13, 2020
George Floyd killing sparks classroom discussions about race, police brutality
The killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police has sparked discussion nationwide. In the San Francisco Bay Area, teachers in the West Contra Costa Unified School District gave students opportunities to share their thoughts.
Ali Tadayon And Ashley A. Smith
June 5, 2020
Cash-strapped Bay Area school district braces for cuts in state funding
With funding shortfalls on the horizon and higher costs due to the pandemic, district officials fear that more difficult choices are ahead.
Ali Tadayon
May 28, 2020
Teachers grapple with how to keep track of students during distance learning
The state does not require taking attendance while campuses are closed, but teachers are finding innovative ways to stay in touch with students.
Ali Tadayon
May 11, 2020
Letter grades? Pass/no pass? A’s for all? Districts differ on grading online learning
Distance learning is challenging school districts across California to reconfigure their grading systems. While many are going with a no-harm approach so students don't receive failing grades, how they are doing it varies
Ali Tadayon
April 21, 2020
One California district's guide for teachers and students in the world of distance learning
West Contra Costa Unified School District in the San Francisco Bay area offers a look at how one California district is setting up distance learning with expectations for teachers and students