FreeSkoolPlanningArchive

FreeSkool Research

The goal of this page is not to transform the reader into an expert in OUSD politics or Free School history. Rather, it is attempt to help people in the collective (and others) to be not completely ignorant of the state of affairs. Enjoy your reading.

The Oakland Unifed School District "Situation"

In 2003 the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) was coming to grips with a 100 million dollar deficit. A deal was made: the state of California would provide a 100-million bailout (loan) in exchange for control of the district. This control would be in the form of Randy Ward: a replacement for the already-elected superintendent. The school board would be regulated to an advisory role and all the legally prescribed power in OUSD would rest with Ward's office.

What followed should not come as a surprise. Like many other school districts across the country, the OUSD has had its share of problems. "Violence, poverty, drugs, single parenthood, teen pregnancy and unemployment" are the conventionally-cited reasons for the inability to manage problems in school districts such as OUSD. Others point to larger, more systemic reasons: race and class injustice, the industrial-military complex, the "nature" of the United States, etc. The point is that Oakland's situation is not unique and that it is among a growing pattern of state/federal takeovers taking place all over the U.S.

There are also what appears to be larger political forces at work. The national No Child Left Behind act of 2003 mandated school improvement with a heavy price for failure including conversion to charter schools (privitization), closure or restructuring (firing + rehiring). There are also largely "free market" or corporate sponsored foundations strongly backing the creation of charter schools (with millions of dollars). These efforts seem to be, in part, attempts to establish stronger corporate-school relationships as well as weaken unions, e.g., teacher unions.

What is Happening in OUSD?

Much of Wards plans are controversial to say the least. Some of the more noteworthy are:

(courtesy of http://www.prisonactivist.org/pipermail/prisonact-list/2005-March/009758.html)

Key Events

Quotes

Further Reading

FreeSkools, Free Schools

Community

Fruitvale

East Oakland

West Oakland

Other

Barrington Collective: FreeSkoolPlanningArchive/AcademicResearch (last edited 2008-01-10 05:18:25 by anonymous)