Oakland Unified back to school earlier because of 'college readiness' and teacher pay, supt. says

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It’s back to school for Oakland schools Monday morning – an earlier start for the district meaning summer is formally over. 

Despite budget cuts, the Oakland Unified School District says it has a 70 percent graduation rate and it’s partnered with local colleges and area businesses to give high school students higher education coursework and internship opportunities to help them plan for a career.

On Friday, Supt. Kyla Johnson Trammell told KTVU that are really two reasons to starting the school year during the second week in August. One is related to student achievement and making sure kids are “college and career ready. By aligning our schedules to the nearby colleges, it allows us to promote our dual enrollment. It allows us to promote our dual enrollment, and to make it easier for high school students to register for dual enrollment classes. “

And the second reason, she said, has to do with teacher pay. 

By starting the school year earlier in August, teachers will get paid earlier since there is no delay before the first month of school from when teachers will receive their first paycheck. 

Oakland teachers are coming back to school, even though they and the school district are still in contract negotiations.

School will let out on May 30, 2019.