Enrollment in the public schools OUSD runs has fallen 35% since 2000, while Oakland’s school-age population fell only 23%. Meanwhile, charter schools grew to 22% of public enrollment.
Thank you Emmet and Oakland Report. If Oakland had good leadership and school board, this tragedic reality would not be our situation today. The education of our youth has to be a primary concern, the youth are our future. We can turn this around, Mississippi turned their failied education system, to a great one. We can do this for Oakland. Mindy Pechenuk, for Oakland Mayor 2026
What a truly sad state of affairs. A neighborhood friend (who like me, grew up here) and I were just talking yesterday about the great teachers we had at Oakland Tech (late 50s--mid 60s), people whose hard work truly helped shape our futures. We remember their names, what they looked like, how hard they made us work, how hard they worked on our behalf. A different time.
Could you explain the graph showing School age population in Oakland and nearby districts? There must be something I'm not understanding, as the graph and the text that follows in the next 2 paragraphs don't seem to match... What am I missing?
Janet — Thank you for your question. It brought to attention that the caption was missing from that chart (Figure 2). The chart shows the change in the school age population in each district over time. The caption has been replaced: “Figure 2. Ages 5-17 population indexed to each district’s 2000 value. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau).” Thank you again for your question; it is very much appreciated.
So the graph shows Emeryville at 152 in 2020. How is that a decrease since the 100 on 2000? I must not be the only person who needs help understanding the chart, so please explain it like I'm stupid 😉.
Janet, thank you for your additional comment, and for your very good observation. The original version of the chart in Figure 2 only showed population data through the year 2020, not through 2024. The chart has been updated to also include the 2024 population data to align with the narrative. We also added a brief editor's note to the article, explaining the revision. Thank you for your sharp eye and for bringing this to our attention.
Thank you Emmet and Oakland Report. If Oakland had good leadership and school board, this tragedic reality would not be our situation today. The education of our youth has to be a primary concern, the youth are our future. We can turn this around, Mississippi turned their failied education system, to a great one. We can do this for Oakland. Mindy Pechenuk, for Oakland Mayor 2026
What a truly sad state of affairs. A neighborhood friend (who like me, grew up here) and I were just talking yesterday about the great teachers we had at Oakland Tech (late 50s--mid 60s), people whose hard work truly helped shape our futures. We remember their names, what they looked like, how hard they made us work, how hard they worked on our behalf. A different time.
Difficult to say anyone could “like” this story - which has been ongoing for decades.
Could you explain the graph showing School age population in Oakland and nearby districts? There must be something I'm not understanding, as the graph and the text that follows in the next 2 paragraphs don't seem to match... What am I missing?
Janet — Thank you for your question. It brought to attention that the caption was missing from that chart (Figure 2). The chart shows the change in the school age population in each district over time. The caption has been replaced: “Figure 2. Ages 5-17 population indexed to each district’s 2000 value. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau).” Thank you again for your question; it is very much appreciated.
So the graph shows Emeryville at 152 in 2020. How is that a decrease since the 100 on 2000? I must not be the only person who needs help understanding the chart, so please explain it like I'm stupid 😉.
Janet, thank you for your additional comment, and for your very good observation. The original version of the chart in Figure 2 only showed population data through the year 2020, not through 2024. The chart has been updated to also include the 2024 population data to align with the narrative. We also added a brief editor's note to the article, explaining the revision. Thank you for your sharp eye and for bringing this to our attention.