East Bay

May 4, 2021

Hundreds of thousands of California students won’t take statewide standardized tests this spring

California released updated guidance for school districts deciding whether Smarter Balanced or a local assessment is their more viable option.

Sydney Johnson

March 1, 2021

California parents continue to disagree on return to school as Covid-19 cases decline

Many families have had drastically different experiences during the pandemic, creating a mix of fear and frustration over prolonged closures.

Sydney Johnson

February 9, 2021

California teachers grapple with grading nearly a year after initial school closures

Many districts are seeing surges in Fs and Ds during distance learning, prompting a revision of expectations and policies around grades.

Sydney Johnson

January 22, 2021

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 4, 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

December 15, 2020

One more challenge for California teachers in distance learning: All new science curriculum

School districts like West Contra Costa Unified lacked updated learning materials aligned to California’s new science standards prior to the current school year.

Sydney Johnson

October 28, 2020

California districts hoping voters will allow them to borrow $13 billion

More than 60 districts throughout California seek as little as $2 million up to $7 billion for school construction, repairs and technology.

Theresa Harrington

October 28, 2020

California student activists push to lower voting age to advocate for change

Youth activists from San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Palo Alto and Culver City are among those working to lower voting ages in cities and the state.

Theresa Harrington

October 16, 2020

How some California school districts deal with students absent from virtual classrooms

Two San Francisco Bay Area districts are expanding outreach to their most vulnerable students including those who are homeless, foster youth.

Theresa Harrington

August 14, 2020

Oakland Unified reaches compromise with teacher’s union in distance learning deal

Oakland Unified reached a tentative agreement on distance learning which, if approved, will go into effect immediately upon ratification.

Theresa Harrington

August 13, 2020

Oakland Unified opens virtually with thousands of students lacking computers and hotspots

A citywide campaign raised $12.5 million to provide for low income students, but the devices have not yet arrived due to a backlog.

Theresa Harrington

August 5, 2020

Virtual learning hub led by Oakland parent group aims to continue in fall

Building on summer pilot program, nonprofit group wants to help Oakland students in a program that gives low-income parents a stipend to oversee their child's online learning.

Theresa Harrington

July 31, 2020

Oakland Unified lacks agreements with teachers and other staff as Aug. 10 school start looms

After bargaining for three weeks, teachers’ union and district disagree on how to provide distance learning and when to reopen campuses safely.

Theresa Harrington

July 29, 2020

Oakland Unified to reform online makeup courses after harsh grand jury report

District expects to implement new credit recovery policies and procedures and to better train staff in their use for the 2020-21 school year.

Theresa Harrington

July 1, 2020

Oakland Unified wants voters to approve $735 million bond for school upgrades

Bond measure to be placed on the Nov. 3 ballot would cover one-fifth of the $3.4 billion need identified in a Facilities Master Plan.

Theresa Harrington