Oakland Unified School District
Coverage of Oakland Unified School District in the Nexus archive.
- Thousands of Oakland students banned from using cell phones at school
The Oakland Unified School District will enforce a cell phone ban at all schools starting August 10. OUSD Superintendent Dr. Denise Saddler described the policy as a 'significant change' for students.
- OUSD bans cell phones during school hours
The Oakland Unified School District will ban cell phone use during school hours starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Students will not be allowed to use their cell phones during school time under the new mandate.
- California county approves reparations plan as neighboring school district 'Black Thriving' effort stalls
Alameda County, California, approved a reparations action plan focused on institutional reforms to address systemic discrimination against Black residents, following stalled efforts in the Oakland school district. The plan prioritizes structural changes like affordable housing and criminal justice reforms over direct cash payments, while a separate Russell City Redress Fund provides direct compensation to descendants of a displaced community.
- UC Board of Regents Wants Recommendations By End of Academic Year on SAT/ACT
The University of California Board of Regents chair, Maria Anguiano, announced a requirement for a recommendation by the end of the academic year on reinstating SAT/ACT exams for incoming students. The Academic Senate had delayed its original timeline for reviewing admissions criteria, sparking confusion, while faculty and K-12 educators expressed conflicting views on the exams' impact.
- Push to shutter Oakland charter school hinges on a misguided approach to accountability
Jerry Brown argues that the push to close Aspire Golden State Preparatory Academy in East Oakland, a charter school serving low-income students of color, relies on a narrow interpretation of performance data. The school, which has high graduation rates despite students starting three years behind, is criticized for using a single high-stakes math assessment to justify its closure, contradicting California's broader school accountability framework.
- OUSD’s superintendent went around her own team on the budget. Then she brought down the axe
Superintendent Denise Saddler of OUSD sent a budget plan to the board without consulting her chief of staff and finance chief. Both were dismissed days later.
- Cellphone ban in Oakland public schools starts in August
Oakland public schools will implement a cellphone ban starting in August. The rule was agreed upon by Oakland Unified School District's board, parents, and teachers.
- Deficit? Surplus? OUSD passed a very confusing budget
The Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) school board approved a teacher contract without determining funding sources and passed a budget projecting a surplus contingent on $30 million in new cuts.
- As school fights spread on social media, OUSD struggles to keep up
School fights are being recorded and shared on social media, prompting Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) to consider disciplining students who post such videos. Students report that crowds gather to record fights on campus.
- Oakland school district vowed reparations for Black students, yet outcomes appear stagnant after 5 years
The Oakland Unified School District's 2021 reparations initiative for Black students, including a 24-member task force, failed to improve academic outcomes after five years. Internal conflicts and leadership changes halted progress, while data from 2025 shows Black students still have the lowest proficiency rates in math and English, with high chronic absenteeism and suspension rates.
- OUSD commits to violence intervention in Oakland schools next year
OUSD commits to violence intervention in Oakland schools next year. The district is seeking applications from organizations to provide violence intervention, life coaching, and gender-based violence support in its high schools.