Great Schools

Over the last 12 years Oakland's education landscape has been transformed by the creation of over 40 new schools getting better results for students. Building on that success, we are working in support the school district vision to transform every school into full service community schools where every student is known by name and has the support needed from pre K to graduation. We believe that to achieve our vision we need adequate and equitable funding along with full participation by parents, students, staff and community in decision making at the school site level.

Multiple external evaluations found new small schools have a positive impact on student achievement and student and family satisfaction. Achievement is on the rise. OUSD is the most improved school district in the state for seven years in a row. But the work is not even close to completion. Building on what we know, OCO continues to work at the local school site level, the district level and, through PICO California Project, at the state level.

At the site level, OCO organizes at more than 25 schools, bringing community together in support of partnerships to address health, safety, environment and student support needs. We are engaging parents and students in the redesign of multiple schools, with a special focus on high schools making sure Linked Learning career pathways. real life internships, restorative justice approaches, and student support structures are available for the most vulnerable students.

At the district level, OCO and the All Kids Coalition to secured an unanimous vote of the Oakland School Board for the Site Based Governance that establishes school site decision-making for all schools in the areas of staffing, educational programs, budgets and schedules. We are committed to work with our district administration and our unions to secure the conditions necessary for effective implementation.

At the state level, OCO endorses the "Tax the Top" state ballot initiative and has collected over 2200 signatures to place it on the ballot in November. In addition OCO is commited to register 800 new voters, educate and turn out 5000 new and infrequent voters in November so our schools are more adequately funded.

The OCO school reform movement arose in the late 90's from long-standing community frustration with the quality of education serving Oakland's flatlands. Schools were over crowded and deteriorating. Student achievement was rock bottom, dropout rates high, and school violence on the rise. There had not been a new school built in Oakland for over 30 years. Frustrated with what was going on in their communities, OCO leaders, parents and advocates promoted and created new small schools, helped pass bond measures to construct four new state of the art schools, and supported principals and teachers to better educate our children.