Sabrina Moore graduated from high school not knowing how to read. Now it’s her mission to raise literacy rates across Oakland.

Author Archives: Ashley McBride
Ashley McBride writes about education equity for The Oaklandside. Her work covers Oakland’s public district and charter schools. Before joining The Oaklandside in 2020, Ashley was a reporter for the San Antonio Express-News and the San Francisco Chronicle as a Hearst Journalism Fellow, and has held positions at the Poynter Institute and the Palm Beach Post. Ashley earned her master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University.
Oakland’s Black and brown students are struggling. These parents are ringing the alarm
A report from Families in Action shows students at Oakland’s district, charter, and county-run schools are testing far below the state average in reading and math.
Are politics blocking this Oakland charter school from badly needed repairs?
Cox Academy in East Oakland could get around $30 million to fix the building it rents from OUSD—but the school board has to approve it first.
After fire, Oakland’s historic First A.M.E. Church is moving downtown
Services will be held at Uptown Station while the church raises money to rebuild at its original Telegraph Avenue location, which was destroyed by a fire in February.
Thanks to inflation, some Oakland schools won’t get the improvements they were promised by Measure Y
The school board says it’s forced to slash planned renovations at some schools to pay for the rising costs of others. The district has been criticized for its handling of school bonds in the past.
Here’s where kids can get free meals in Oakland this summer
Public libraries, rec centers, community centers, and schools are among the dozens of places where families can get free food for their children while school is out.
OEAs ‘common good’ proposals are controversial. But Oakland teachers aren’t the first to demand them
The agreements regarding community schools, reparations for Black students, school closures, and student homelessness reflect a shift in what teachers unions are negotiating over.
OUSD’s annual attendance fell 4% as a result of the teachers strike
Oakland’s superintendent urged the school board to act now to avoid another strike in 2025. Also: A special election will be held for the vacant D5 seat.
Rudsdale High honors David Sakurai, slain OUSD carpenter: ‘This was our brother’
Family and community members memorialized Sakurai with a peace garden and pergola at the alternative high school in the East Oakland hills, where he was shot last September.
Oakland teachers are getting a raise. How will their pay compare to other districts?
If the tentative agreement is approved, Oakland teachers could go from earning salaries near the bottom of those offered in Alameda County to the middle range.
Strike over: Oakland teachers union reaches agreement with OUSD
The tentative contract agreement must still be ratified by OEA members and approved by the school board. Classes will resume Tuesday.
OUSD strike reaches 1 week with no signs of ending soon
Oakland teachers remained on picket lines as the union pushed back against statements from the district about the cost of its “common good” demands.
OUSD school board meeting canceled as teachers strike continues
OEA and the district are reporting some progress with negotiations, but haven’t indicated when the strike could end.
Oakland teachers strike: OUSD and OEA at stalemate over ‘common good’ demands
OUSD Board President Mike Hutchinson said some of the issues fall outside of the OEA contract. But three board members are calling on the district to bargain over them.
Oakland teachers strike begins after contract negotiations fail
Nearly 3,000 OUSD teachers, nurses, psychologists, and their supporters formed picket lines at schools, calling for better pay and working conditions.
What we know about the Oakland teachers strike
The teachers union will be going on strike tomorrow. We answered some basic questions about the strike, and what it means for OUSD families.
Oakland teachers will strike May 4 if no deal is reached
Oakland Unified School District released its latest contract proposal on Tuesday, and said it remains committed to negotiations.
Oakland teachers rally before school board, day after voting to strike
Families of students in special education classes also appealed to the OUSD board over changes that will force some of them to switch schools.
Oakland teachers vote to authorize strike
The teachers union and OUSD have been negotiating since October. This week’s vote by members clears a path for the union’s leadership to declare a strike.
Families oppose OUSD plan to close special education programs
Many parents fear that the closures, some of which were announced in the last few weeks, could be harmful for students who need stability.