Choice About Schools

Families in every neighborhood should have choices about where to send their children to school. All schools in Oakland's "portfolio" of public school options - including charter public schools - must be high quality schools.

When school quality becomes our top priority, community leaders and policy makers will no longer need to make a distinction between district and charter public schools that families do not make when choosing a school. Oakland should become a student-outcomes oriented center for innovation and achievement in education.

We understand the importance of continuously monitoring school "life cycles" - intervening and supporting schools that are struggling, regularly celebrating school and student successes, closing schools for under-performance or excessively low enrollment, or opening new, innovative programs to attract students and offer more options.

Diversity of school options will be assured when...

• The Board of Education ensures the implementation of a robust school quality review process for both district and charter public schools.
• District public schools operate with flexibility and autonomy to allow for exciting, innovative programs like those provided at many charter public schools and private schools.
• The OUSD central office incubates innovative models and schools that attract families.
• The school options process is clear, accessible, transparent, and efficient, helping families make informed choices to enroll in programs that best meet their child's educational needs.
• Information about schools - such as the educational approach and programs, their staff profiles, how families can participate  - is easily available in multiple languages.
  

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