Many  children who joined parents, educators and community members on the steps of the state building Wednesday to send their pleas to state legislatures for early child care centers to stay open despite Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget revision in May. The governor proposed cutting $1.2 billion - all state funding - for child care assistance affecting an estimated 142,000 children.

Approximately 100 students attended Westlake Middle School today, roughly an 85% attendance drop. 

"I see it as a big sign of support from parents. They are keeping kids home to show they're support," said Angela Jensen a 7th grade Arts and Social Studies teacher.

Few if any subs were reportedly seen by Westlake teachers on early morning picket lines.

Teachers are on strike throughout Oakland today, protesting the Oakland Unified School District's (OUSD) status quo contract.

One week after thousands of people marched to protest massive budget cuts projected for education, Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Tony Smith shared his vision, strategies and needs at the Great Oakland Public Schools meeting Thursday n