By Noemi Bravo

Watch: Oakland High School Student Interview; Student-Teacher Fishbowl Skyline HS

Download: Town Researchers 2010 Calendar in pdf format.

Da Town Researchers are moving into Phase Two of Gathering Voice: Research and Data Collection!  This year, Da Town Researchers are focusing on student support systems in Oakland schools.  Three different teams have focused on Student-Teacher Relationships, Counseling Systems and Emotional Support.  We have finished Phase one, which consisted of surveying about 700 students.  These surveys gathered voice from ten high schools with the help of All City Council.  Phase two will consist of interviews, school and classroom observations, and focus groups with students, parents and school staff.

We are also currently fundraising for our June 2010 trip to Detroit, Michigan.  There, we will attend the U.S. Social Forum and the Allied Media Conference to meet with education justice allies.  We will present our Final Project and Action Steps to groups and organizations from all over the United States, as well as learn from other grassroots groups about the work they’ve done.  Da Town Researchers, however, cannot make this trip possible without your support.

Donations are welcome in any amount, and with a donation of $20.00 or more, we will include one of our calendars or t-shirts for free.  Our 2010 calendars are filled with powerful data from our 2008-2009 research project focusing on the 100% Preparation for Life, College and Career and the University of California A-G Graduation Requirements, and our 2007-2008 project focusing on Student Empowerment.  Every month features a photo taken by one of our youth photographers accompanied with a meaningful quotation from Oakland students who took our surveys or participated in focus groups.  Donations are accepted online through the DataCenter website; make sure to write “Da Town Researchers” on the gift information section when you donate.  Be on the lookout for more updates on Da Town Researchers in the near future.