Oakland Literacy Coalition and GO Public Schools School site visit and panel discussion write up

On December 9, I joined the Oakland Literacy Coalition and partners for a literacy learning walk at Acorn Woodland Elementary School, followed by a panel discussion on early literacy instruction across Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). As we begin another year of hard work in education, moments like these invite reflection – on what we are trying, what we are learning, and where outcomes still fall short of what our students deserve. 

During the site visit, we examined how educators are building a school culture that uses student data and instructional impact to guide decisions about instruction, coaching, scheduling, and limited resources. The conversations reinforced an important truth: coherent systems – aligned coaching, thoughtful use of planning time, and a strong instructional culture – are necessary, but they must be sustained and continuously examined to lead to meaningful change. 

Before the panel, I shared data from GO Public Schools to help ground the discussion. While there are areas of effort and commitment across the system, early literacy efforts have not yet shifted stagnant summative assessment outcomes. As both a parent and an educator, this gap between investment and impact is deeply concerning – and it’s one we must be willing to confront honestly. 

This tension between investment and impact shaped the panel discussion that followed. The panelists  – featuring OUSD Board Member Dr. Clifford Thompson, Director of Early Literacy Jamilah Sanchez, Deputy Network Superintendent Kate Sugarman, and Acorn Woodland Literacy TSA Tala Kauzer – situated the learning walk within the district’s broader literacy strategy, sharing what is being implemented, where early lessons are emerging, and where adjustments are still needed. 

Despite ongoing fiscal challenges and uneven systemwide results, the collaboration between OUSD and community partners fostered a cautious optimism for the future. Progress in early literacy will require sustained alignment, honest use of data, and a collective commitment to keep learning – always centered on what Oakland students need most.

**For families and community members who want to dig deeper into Oakland’s literacy data, GO Public Schools’ Oakland Kids Rise report offers a clear, accessible look at student outcomes, trends over time, and areas of concern and opportunity. The report helps ground these discussions in publicly available data and highlights both areas of concern and key questions we must continue to ask as a community.** 

In partnership, Mark Heringer, East Bay Managing Director