Oakland parents launch fundraiser to cool off hot classrooms
High temperatures can make it hard for students to learn. In OUSD, 75% of classrooms lack a cooling system.
Oakland Unified faces civil rights complaint over programs for Latino youth
The programs were designed to close academic achievement gaps. Conservative parent group Defending Education wants a federal investigation, claiming they constitute racial discrimination.
In Oakland, 16- and 17-year olds can vote in school board elections. Here’s a guide for teen voters
How to register, where to bring your ballot, how to research the candidates and other things a first-time youth voter needs to know.
Want to meet the candidates running for the Oakland school board? Find a forum near you
The Oaklandside is hosting a candidate forum on Sept. 29, while parent groups and community organizations are holding multiple other events over the next four weeks.
Recent news
A historically Black college in Oakland? A task force is dreaming
There’s never been an undergraduate HBCU in the West. Now Mayor Lee has joined with business and nonprofit leaders to attract one to Oakland.
OUSD reveals dismal academic achievement numbers, and students debate a new cell phone ban
At its latest meeting, the Oakland school board also closed the books on the 2026-2027 school year’s finances, which contained some mildly upbeat news.
Have ideas for how OUSD should spend money? Apply to join these committees
There are open seats on oversight bodies that guide the school district on major initiatives from repurposing vacant properties to allocating tax dollars.
What to expect when you vote in Oakland, starting in October
A mayor’s race, three City Council seats, three competitive school board races, and a stack of ballot measures. A conversation with Oaklandside editors.
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MOre from the archives
University of California’s most selective campuses have increased in-state enrollment
Since the university system agreed in 2022 to a compact with Gov. Newsom, enrollment by Californians is up at Berkeley, UCLA and San Diego.
OUSD takes up screen time rules
School board members delayed a vote on a partial laptop ban, saying they want to see more careful analysis — and student input — first.
OUSD banned cellphones. Are Chromebooks next?
A proposed policy, echoing Los Angeles and San Diego, would forbid students from using devices during their free time and require district leaders to create guidelines for next year.
California maintains school vaccine rules despite Trump order
With measles cases rising in the California, state health officials warned that Donald Trump’s recent vaccine announcement flies in the face of expert recommendations.
Fight at Castlemont High campus leaves teenager injured
The victim — who was stabbed — was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Can peer mentoring keep Oakland kids in school?
Oakland schools have a problem with chronic absenteeism. The Greenlight Fund is investing $1 million to expand peer interventions that appear to work.
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