Oakland: Cutting Adult Education in Local Schools

My practice experience this summer will be volunteering in Oakland, CA with Women’s Economic Agenda Project (WEAP). This is a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and training of women entering the workforce. These women are all living under the poverty line. Aside from this, WEAP advocates equal working rights and health benefits for women.

In a city like Oakland there are high levels of illiteracy rates, increased immigration rates and large communities of color affected by gangs violence. WEAP advocates that education is a vital tool to organize and avoid poverty and therefore does much campaigning in developing strategies to help women and youth continue their educational journey.

A recent article in The Oakland Tribute describes that local family literacy programs in Oakland may disappear due to recent cuts in state funding. The Oakland school board votes 5-1 to reduce programming for adult education. In essence, the position of individuals/ teachers that lead adult school courses will be eliminated or reduced. This decision brings up many issues because children who come from immigrant families have parents who no longer have the opportunity to learn from these free courses offered at their children’s schools. By not learning English as a second language, it is evident that families will not be able to acquire jobs in this fast growing economy. With that said, the poverty rates in the city of Oakland will continue to decline. Although many local organizations are coming together for this common cause, it is vital to create a movement before May 8^th of this year before budget plans are concrete.

The cutting of educational programs to adults will hurt the well-being of Oakland as illiteracy rates will continue to increase, hence raising the number of impoverished communities. This action directly correlates with the work that WEAP does. Promoting education and social justice issues are essential components of my organization and WEAP is most likely organizing against this local legislation. 

Works Cited:

Valdez, Serena.  The Oakland Tribute.  "Oakland: Family Literacy Programs May Disappear After School Board Votes to Eliminate Adult Education."  February 2013.