0:00 - Oakland Students Can’t Meet College Application Requirements
1:47 - School Board Meeting Prioritizes Foreign Affairs Over Local Students
3:30 - How the Union Influences Funding and School Board Members
4:58 - How Parents Are Uniting to Fight for Their Children’s Education
Stephisha Ycoy Walton, an educator and community organizer in Oakland, has recently highlighted critical issues in the local education system that demand immediate attention and action. Mrs. Walton’s concerns center around the transparency of academic data and the support needed for students to meet basic educational requirements necessary for higher education opportunities.
Oakland’s education system is facing a profound crisis, as evidenced by the distressing performance data shared by Mrs. Walton. She points out that a significant number of students, particularly Black and Brown, are not meeting the basic educational requirements—known as the A through G requirements—that are prerequisites for applying to universities within the University of California and state school systems. These requirements include a series of 19 full-length classes covering subjects such as math, English, science, and history.
Mrs. Walton reports shockingly low proficiency levels among students: only two to three students per class are reading at grade level, and even fewer show proficiency in math. This data underscores a grave issue that could stifle the future prospects of these students, barring them from even applying to higher education institutions.
A striking aspect of Mrs. Walton’s commentary is her critique of the local school board’s priorities. She argues that the board’s attention is often diverted away from urgent local educational needs to international or less immediately relevant issues. This misdirection of focus is seen during school board meetings that are adjourned early for external matters, neglecting pressing internal educational crises.
Mrs. Walton stresses the need for irate and immediate action toward educational reform, akin to the urgency often shown for international issues, to address the educational deficiencies crippling local students. Her comparison is poignant, illustrating a misalignment of priorities that she believes should be corrected.
Another significant concern raised by Mrs. Walton is the influence of unions and the transparency of board funding. She suggests that the decisions made by school board members are often overly influenced by unions and associations that fund their campaigns, potentially leading to decisions that do not prioritize student outcomes. Walton calls for a reevaluation of these relationships and advocates for decisions that place student needs at the forefront.
Mrs. Walton is not just a critic but also a proactive organizer, working to unite parents, community advocates, and supportive board members to demand and implement educational reforms. She highlights ongoing efforts to gather community input through leadership councils representing various schools, aiming to devise and enact plans that significantly improve educational outcomes by 2030.
Mrs. Walton’s vision extends beyond immediate educational metrics; it encompasses a holistic approach to student success, reflective of her own diverse experiences from collegiate athletics to professional basketball overseas. She champions a future where all students, not just her own children, can access the full spectrum of educational and life opportunities.
The call to action from Stephisha Ycoy Walton is clear and compelling. It is a reminder that education reform cannot wait, that every moment of inaction exacerbates the challenges faced by students in Oakland. It is imperative for the community, the school board, and all stakeholders to realign their priorities and focus on creating an educational environment that nurtures all students, equipping them with the necessary tools to succeed in higher education and beyond. As Mrs. Walton eloquently puts it, this is not just about meeting educational standards but about honoring the very essence of what it means to provide a comprehensive and fair education to all.
*Views expressed in this video/article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of California Insider.
