CALIFORNIA’s MOST-ImPROVED URBAN ScHOOL DISTRICT OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS Parent Guide 2013 – 2014 www.ousd.k12.ca.us Visit our website for phone numbers, calendars, meal menus, and more. 2 Parent Guide 2013-2014 Oakland Unified School District OUSD Parents, Caretakers and Guardians, Early Literacy It is with joy and anticipation that we welcome you to OUSD for the OUSD is committing substantial resources to literacy instruction in 2013-14 school year and thank you for entrusting us with your child’s order to reduce the number of students who move from grade to education. As leaders of this community and stewards of its children, grade without foundational literacy skills. As part of our Literacy our responsibility is to make Oakland’s great promise manifest. Framework and Five-Year plan, OUSD has instituted screenings at To prepare the next generation of citizens, parents, homeowners, key points in elementary school, focused professional development business operators and employees, we must educate students in a for pre-kindergarten and elementary school teachers on literacy, way that addresses both sides of Oakland—the one we embrace and and created a program designed to increase reading proficiency for the one we hope to recreate. secondary students by at least two grade levels. Oakland can only reach its potential, if we improve conditions for OUSD uses the Scholastic Reading Inventory to screen reading skills our children and help students develop the skills required for success at critical transition points and help identify students in need to in school, success in career, and success in life. Unfortunately, our interventions—before low literacy skills become an obstacle to current system doesn’t adequately account for the environments learning across the curriculum. our students experience, the needs of the whole child, or the shifting demands of a 21st century workplace. To counter this, OUSD is In addition to screening and identifying students at risk for reading expanding approaches to education that address these broader failure, we’re embracing a proactive strategy of strengthening literacy issues while supporting academic work and student performance. instruction at the lower elementary grades. All of our K-5 teachers Prominent among the strategies we’re emphasizing are: are focusing on strong implementation of a literacy curriculum that supports the use of academic language. OUSD is also purchasing • Common Core more books and more culturally relevant materials and high-interest literature for all students. • Early literacy At the secondary level, some struggling students are enrolled in • Linked Learning in what are called “strategic reading” classes. These courses are • Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) designed to boost reading skills up to grade level, but certain students • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) assigned to these classes are multiple years behind in their reading ability and need more intensive social-emotional and instructional support to accelerate literacy development. This is provided by Common Core Secondary Literacy Specialists, selected based on both cultural Regardless of background or location, every student in America competence and demonstrated success, who are working with should graduate from high school with the ability to read, to students who have fallen behind by four or more grade levels. write, to do math and to think critically. OUSD has joined with nine In this setting, students know their own improvement goals and other districts across California to implement Common Core State use technology for monitoring their own progress as readers. The Standards that will help ensure that all students, no matter where students practice and support each other’s learning in writers’ they live, will be focused on graduating from high school prepared for workshops and literature circles. When a student has attained grade postsecondary education and careers. level literacy capacity, he or she has a “graduation ceremony” and Common standards will facilitate conversation among parents, exits out of the program. teachers, and children about high-level academic learning goals. Because common standards define exactly what students should Linked Learning know and be able to do at each grade level, they will help parents hold their schools accountable for teaching students in ways that The Oakland Unified School District has embraced Linked Learning support learning of the important content and skills. as an innovative approach to increase student engagement and prepare our graduates for college and career. In OUSD, Linked OUSD’s implementation of the Common Core includes standards Learning incorporates four basic components: a rigorous focus on in English Language Arts and Math, aligned with assessments, core academics, hands-on technical and practical education through instructional materials and professional development for teachers an academy or career pathway, workplace experience through that provides deeper knowledge of the essential content students will internships and apprenticeships, and interventions designed to meet need to thrive in college and the modern workforce. student needs and provide essential social services. The focus on curriculum is complemented by an emphasis on This integrated strategy creates a connection between what kids talent management and developing, supporting, and empowering are learning in school and how it can affect their future. Blending great teachers and school leaders through improved recruitment, rigorous academics with career-based, real world learning provides a preparation, and professional support systems, including an effective personalized educational experience that creates more opportunity teacher and principal evaluation system. for students to discover new aspirations and acquire the skills needed We are also gaining knowledge and strength through our to succeed in their chosen field. collaboration with the other member district in the California Office Research shows that, compared to traditional schools, the Linked to Reform Education. Sharing and using information, knowledge and Learning approach results in higher retention and graduation rates experience across districts will allow us to more effectively improve for students. OUSD has the most certified California Partnership systems and instruction, particularly in support of struggling schools. Academies of any district in California and we are working to create additional career academies and pathways for high school students in Interested in the most current updates about what’s happening inside OUSD schools? Follow us on Facebook or Twitter! www.tinyurl.com/OUSDfacebook | www.twitter.com/OUSDNews Oakland Unified School District Parent Guide 2013-2014 3 order to prepare them for the 21st century goal of having 80 percent of our high school students in an academy or pathway by the year TABLE OF CONTENTS 2015. OVERVIEW: CommunitY SCHools, Social and Emotional Learning THRIVinG Students ...............................4 Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is at once a method for personal growth and strengthening community, as well as a framework for OVERVIEW OF OAKLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ......7 school improvement. SEL teaches the skills we all need to handle An outline of OUSD’s vision, student demographics, ourselves, our relationships, and our work, effectively and ethically. academic performance, and financial outlook. Points of emphasis include managing emotions, developing concern for others, establishing positive relationships, making responsible PARENT RESOURCES................................15 decisions, and handling challenging situations constructively. What you need to know about enrollment and registration, SEL skills help create and maintain learning environments that how to support your child’s learning from kindergarten reduce discipline problems like truancy, violence and bullying while through high school, and promotion and graduation producing a greater affinity for school among students and higher requirements. rates of work satisfaction for staff. This, in turn, results in better RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.......................26 academic outcomes, deeper understanding of subject matter, richer A guide to laws and policies about attendance and truancy, collaboration and increased student engagement. equity and nondiscrimination, health and safety, information Researchers believe addressing psychological factors that influence and privacy, personal appearance and property, and school learning is a critical step in boosting academic achievement. This climate and discipline. is reinforced by quantitative studies demonstrating that Social and Emotional Learning has a profound effect on achievement as APPENDIX . .41 reflected in higher standardized test scores and grade point average, and a reduced incidence of violent or risky behavior. DIRECTORY . .46 Social and Emotional Learning is not a diversion from the educational Contact information for District offices and school board mission or an adjunct to it. Instead, it’s an integral part of instruction members, plus a map and phone numbers for all Oakland and student learning; a strategy for accelerated achievement, public schools. enhanced problem solving and the development of workplace and life skills. Social and Emotional Learning is an ethos that is EQUITY AND NONDISCRIMINATION infused throughout a school system, reflected in the mindset of the Our goal is to create a supportive and