June 5, 2020

Summer school may be another pandemic victim in some districts

Researchers found 61 of 100 districts nationwide plan to offer summer school, but many are not expanding programs or trying new things.

Theresa Harrington

June 5, 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 3, 2020

Learning loss and achievement gaps top discussion on school reopening

State Board of Education President, Oakland Unified Superintendent and Hoover Institute fellow discuss inequities among returning students.

Theresa Harrington

May 29, 2020

School district leaders from around the U.S. rethink education, emphasize online learning

Pandemic exposed the digital divide and the needs of students in crisis, leaders said, adding that more teacher training is also necessary.

Theresa Harrington

May 28, 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 18, 2020

Twitter CEO gives $10 million to close the digital gap in Oakland

Donation brings total funding to $12 million to purchase devices and internet access for students to help provide distance learning.

Theresa Harrington

May 14, 2020

Oakland eases graduation requirements to address student challenges during crisis

Oakland Unified school board temporarily waives its 2.0 GPA and senior project grad requirements during emergencies such as school closures.

Theresa Harrington

May 8, 2020

Advocates urge Newsom to order schools not to permanently close any buildings

With schools urged to provide more distance between students, it is ill-advised to crowd more students into merged campuses, advocates say.

Theresa Harrington

April 24, 2020

Amid pandemic, Oakland Unified extends superintendent’s contract, hires business officer

Contract through June 2023 would make Kyla Johnson-Trammell the district's longest-tenured superintendent in decades with six years in post.

Theresa Harrington

April 17, 2020

Bay Area educators help families in school districts hurt by coronavirus shutdowns

Educators and community members in Oakland Unified and West Contra Costa Unified have established several fundraisers and other campaigns.

Theresa Harrington

April 9, 2020

San Francisco Bay Area districts caught off guard by online security breaches

Berkeley Unified and Oakland Unified tighten up cyber security after a Berkeley Zoombombing intrusion and Oakland posts access codes online.

Theresa Harrington

April 3, 2020

California school board meetings go virtual, but not without obstacles

The governor issued an executive order allowing virtual meetings, as long as the public has access.

Theresa Harrington

March 6, 2020

Local child care and preschool measures in California in limbo until more votes counted

Alameda County may choose to wait to begin collecting the new sales tax until legal challenges involving other initiatives are resolved.

Zaidee Stavely

March 6, 2020

Oakland school board votes $18.8 million in cuts, up to 100 layoffs; hears pleas to cut police force

The board voted to lay off about 100 workers to close its 2020-21 budget deficit, may consider eliminating its police force in the future.

Theresa Harrington

March 3, 2020

McClymonds high school students reunited in Oakland as officials wait for final air samples

The 350-student school in Oakland will remain closed until at least March 9 while air testing continues pending an official ruling that the air is safe for students.

Ali Tadayon