Oakland Schools Foundation Theory of Change & Action

WHAT MAKES AN OAKLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL SUCCESSFUL?

The Oakland Schools Foundation's Theory of Change & Action is founded in the belief that, in addition to having culturally relevant and standards-aligned curricula, critical family supports, and successful programs for students, schools must function as healthy, results-oriented organizations. To this end, OSF’s services and programs focus on Communications, Operations, and Resources Development (COR) for public schools. When schools excel in these areas — as measured by the OSF Rubrics of Excellence — we believe the conditions are right for the high-quality instruction and rich community learning centers that support student achievement.

COMMUNICATIONS
OSF helps schools develop communication and marketing plans to recruit and retain students, to achieve internal unity, and to reach the immediate and wider community to develop partnerships and secure additional resources and funding.

Communication with families
Because parents have the option to enroll their children in schools all over Oakland, successful schools must have the capacity and mindset to tell their story in a meaningful way to students and families.

Communication with the funding community
Successful schools must also market themselves to funders (foundations, corporations, and individuals) with relevant data, track record of successes, and compelling stories about school progress and student achievement.

Community Relations
Successful schools know they must build a base of support in the community beyond their students’ families and funders. Successful schools build their visibility in order to attract the highest-quality staffs.

Internal Communications
Successful schools communicate their strategies to staff and students with a cohesive message, so they are able to execute their plans as a team.

OPERATIONS
OSF helps schools collect and utilize data to drive outcomes, develop financial plans that optimize resources and govern priorities, and build efficient infrastructures allowing staffs to concentrate time and resources on student achievement.

Financial Management
Successful schools understand the importance of robust financial planning management systems, and they allocate priority resources for this.

Data Management
Successful schools are organized around clear outcomes for students, programs, and operational performance, and they know how to use this information to continuously improve.

Infrastructure Development
Successful schools build sound infrastructures that allow principals to prioritize instructional leadership and professional development for their teachers.

RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
OSF helps schools acquire additional private and public funds, develop and retain great employees, engage and empower parents to participate in the learning community, and build community partnerships.

Fundraising
All public schools must raise private funds. While schools in affluent neighborhoods rely on significant parent support, under-resourced schools prioritize fundraising systems beyond parent contributions to secure the resources needed to narrow the achievement gap among students from different socio-economic groups.

Staff Resources
Successful schools operate with a mindset that promotes recruitment, retention, and continuous assessment and development of high-quality personnel.

Family Resources
Successful schools involve and empower parents in developing a learning environment conducive to student achievement.

Community Partnerships
Successful schools partner with volunteers, community services, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, and optimize their relationships with school district staff and board members to meet their goals.