Oakland Unified received $129.9 million in final-round federal pandemic relief. How three East Bay districts handled one-time money and falling attendance helps explain three different outcomes.
Great article! One thing: the statement, "California is one of a handful of states that fund districts on the number of students actually in school each day through a formula known as Average Daily Attendance (ADA). OUSD’s enrollment decline leads to lower attendance and, with it, less state revenue" conflates two things often conflated -- attendance & enrollment. When enrolled kids are absent, the dollars don't come in. It doesn't matter if a student has measles or is truant: kid not in class, no funding. Oakland has a fairly high truancy rate, compounding its declining enrollment problems. Please help the public understand this issue.
Judith -- Thank you for your comment and suggestion. We have added a clarification to the article explaining that illnesses and truancy are counted against ADA. Thank you again; the suggestion is appreciated.
Great article! One thing: the statement, "California is one of a handful of states that fund districts on the number of students actually in school each day through a formula known as Average Daily Attendance (ADA). OUSD’s enrollment decline leads to lower attendance and, with it, less state revenue" conflates two things often conflated -- attendance & enrollment. When enrolled kids are absent, the dollars don't come in. It doesn't matter if a student has measles or is truant: kid not in class, no funding. Oakland has a fairly high truancy rate, compounding its declining enrollment problems. Please help the public understand this issue.
Judith -- Thank you for your comment and suggestion. We have added a clarification to the article explaining that illnesses and truancy are counted against ADA. Thank you again; the suggestion is appreciated.
OUSD pattern is similar to Oakland government: spending levels not nearly supported by revenue.