With Roe v. Wade’s future in jeopardy, Oakland leaders pledge to protect abortion and other reproductive health-care rights.

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.
McClymonds High School community has high hopes for campus overhaul
The historically Black school in West Oakland is receiving $65 million in Measure Y funding for long-needed upgrades. School leaders hope the improvements will lead to higher enrollment.
Meet the Oakland rep running unopposed on the Alameda County Board of Education
JoaquÃn Rivera has been on the ACOE board since 2010, and said this will be his last term.
OUSD board member Shanthi Gonzales resigns
In a letter Monday, Gonzales condemned a lack of focus on student academic success and intimidation tactics by those who disagree with the board’s school closures plan.
‘We’re going to continue to fight’: Oakland teachers strike over school closures
A last-minute effort by OUSD to stop the one-day strike failed on Thursday.
Concern over graduation rates, Black student achievement lead debate at OUSD board meeting
The superintendent and most board members avoided discussion of this Friday’s one-day strike by the teachers union to protest school closures.
OUSD to families: Keep students home this Friday
Oakland teachers announced a one-day strike over school closures, and district leaders say they won’t be able to cover staff absences.
Paul Quinn College, a Texas HBCU, has its eyes on Oakland
The school is seeking an expansion that would make it the first undergraduate historically Black college in the state.
‘I want students to have more than I did’: A Tiger takes the reins at Fremont High
Nidya Baez could have pursued her education career anywhere, but she decided to stay at her East Oakland alma mater. Now, she’ll be taking over as principal in July.
Outrage greets OUSD board at first in-person meeting since school-closures vote
School board members show no sign of reversing course, despite ongoing community opposition and a new charge of racial discrimination by the ACLU.
Meet the two candidates running for Alameda County superintendent
Incumbent L.K. Monroe and challenger Alysse Castro spoke to The Oaklandside about school funding, COVID recovery, and the financial challenges facing OUSD.
What does Alameda County’s education office do for Oakland schools?
In the June primary, voters will choose between L.K. Monroe and Alysse Castro for county superintendent. Here’s a guide to understanding how the office works.
Oakland parents fought to create La Escuelita. Now they’re fighting to save it
‘The little school,’ which grew out of a bilingual preschool, is getting smaller this year as part of OUSD’s school closure plan.
OUSD will lease more space to charters, amid school-closure turmoil
Oakland Unified is legally required to offer its unused facilities to charter schools. But the new agreements were hotly contested at Wednesday’s school board meeting.
What makes a ‘good school?’ Families share their reasons for choosing OUSD
While Oakland schools are seeing fewer students enroll each year, many families say the district has plenty to offer.
Bishop O’Dowd chosen to pilot new African American studies course
The class, led by longtime Black history teacher Tony Green, will be one of 68 across the country.
Oakland school closures: Parker K-8’s close-knit community
Families at Parker—a nearly century-old school in East Oakland—aren’t going quietly.
OUSD will keep its mask mandate—for now
In two weeks, Oakland Unified School District may allow students to stop wearing masks outdoors. Plus: Officials presented a budget update at Wednesday’s school board meeting.
School closures: Community Day serves Oakland’s most vulnerable students. Where will they go?
Educators at OUSD’s only alternative school for expelled students fear some may not be ready to transition out when the campus closes later this year.
Why do so many families opt out of OUSD schools? It’s complicated
Thousands of children who live in Oakland don’t attend district schools. We spoke to four families about why they decided to leave.