Oakland school board restores after-school funding

After a three-hour special meeting, the Oakland Unified school board unanimously voted to restore funding for critical after-school programs that were previously cut. The decision followed community outrage and a strong public response at earlier meetings. The board aimed to mitigate impacts on students, particularly low-income families, by preserving essential educational support systems. Insights from parents highlighted the significant academic and behavioral benefits of after-school programs, emphasizing the need to protect services that play a vital role in student success and equity.

Two years in an after-school program improves math scores by 20 percentile points. It increases attendance, it reduces behavioral suspensions and expulsions, and it closes the achievement gap between low- and high-income families

Read at The Oaklandside