By Jennifer Ward For almost a decade, Oakland public schools have been using a gradual phase out to close under performing or low population schools, resulting in a negative impact on local communities and students.
Oakland Unified School District is shutting many of its schools one grade at a time. For more than six years, OUSD has implemented a practice of closing down "small" or "underperforming" schools via a phase out system that slowly shuts down a school grade by grade. Although not unique, many parents, teachers and school officials see the phase out system as providing further trauma connected to the school closing issue. It's also unclear whether the program saves any money for taxpayers.
The story will raise the curtain on this little known practice that highlights the growing tension between communities and their school districts. It will also give an inside looking into the process of closing schools, showing the reaction of students.
For more that 13 years Jennifer Inez Ward has been a journalist and photographer. Graduating from UC Berkeley Journalism School in 2001, Jennifer has been a beat reporter at a range of online and print publications, including the Philadelphia Inquirer and CBS MarketWatch.
I can provide a 700 word article that will include in depth interviews with OUSD administration, teachers, youth organizations parents and California education experts. We will also produce a short radio piece that will air on KAWL.
