In 2014, Oakland voters approved Measure N, followed by Measure H in 2022, catalyzing a districtwide transformation in high school education. Today, these targeted investments are yielding strong results — rising graduation rates, reducing dropout rates and increasing college and career readiness. These improvements are not coincidental; they are the direct result of a strategic, equity-focused use of Measure N and H funds, which have allowed for the expansion of Linked Learning Pathways and fundamentally reshaped the student experience in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD).

The passage of the two measures enabled OUSD to design and expand Linked Learning Pathways across the district that are rooted in equity, relevance and real-world learning. These measures have delivered $850 per student per year, totaling millions in annual funding to support initiatives such as:

• College and career readiness staffing
• Academic counseling and credit recovery
• Dual enrollment courses and materials
• Paid internships and work-based learning experiences

Without Measures N and H, these critical supports would not exist at scale — and the resulting gains in student achievement would not be possible.

For the Class of 2024, OUSD’s four-year cohort graduation rate hit 79.5 percent, a historic high and a reflection of targeted, sustained intervention.

Significantly, these gains have been strongest among historically underserved students, and have increased steadily since the passage of Measure N: 

• Latino students: Graduation rate rose from 54.4 percent in 2014 to 75.8 percent in 2024
• African American students: The graduation rate increased from 58.4 percent in 2014 to 79.8 percent in 2024

These improvements represent hundreds more students each year completing high school — students who are now better positioned for success thanks to programs made possible through Measures N and H.

Graduation gains are paired with encouraging declines in dropout rates. The overall dropout rate has decreased from 23.5 percent in 2014 to 10 percent in 2024. Among Latino students, the decline has been especially dramatic, from 26.4 percent in 2014 to just 13 percent in 2024.

These figures reflect more than progress — they represent real lives transformed. Each student who stays in school benefits from greater earning potential and stronger long-term prospects, contributing to Oakland’s future economic vitality.

A core goal of Measures N and H is to ensure that students graduate ready for life after high school. Key indicators point to steady progress:

• A-G Completion (California university eligibility requirements): 48.7 percent in 2024, up from 42.2 percent in 2023
  • Latino students: +9.3 points
  • Native American students: +13.3 points
  • Pacific Islander students: +14.8 points
  • Students with individualized education programs (IEPs): +8.9 points
• California School Dashboard College/Career Indicator “prepared” rates: Increased from 37.9 percent to 43.4 percent in one year
  • Latino students saw an 8-point jump (30.9 percent to 38.8 percent)
• Financial aid application completion: 67 percent for Class of 2024
• Dual enrollment pass rates: 85 percent in fall 2023 and 88 percent in spring 2024

These outcomes were made possible by direct investments in student guidance, post-secondary planning and academic supports — all funded by Measures N and H.

Central to OUSD’s strategy is the Linked Learning approach, which integrates academic coursework with hands-on, career-aligned experiences.

• 91 percent of general education students and 78 percent of students with disabilities are enrolled in Linked Learning Pathways
• 20.5 percent of students participate in work-based learning opportunities

These immersive experiences give students real-world exposure and purpose. Measures N and H fund teaching positions, district coordination and student materials, as well as staff and student stipends.

The synergy between districtwide supports and site-based innovations has driven OUSD’s progress. While schools lead on implementation, the central office, particularly the High School Linked Learning Office, ensures coherence and support through:

• Capacity-building for educators
• Systems for data and continuous improvement
• Equitable resource allocation

These structures, funded by N and H, create a strong foundation for sustainable improvement, ensuring that students in every corner of the district have access to high-quality, relevant learning.

The 2023–24 Measures N and H Annual Report affirms the value of community investment in public education. The measurable gains in student outcomes are a direct result of these locally funded efforts, offering a compelling model for other districts.

Yet district leaders and the Measures N and H Commission are clear: this work is not finished. Persistent disparities demand continued effort and innovation. Every percentage point gained represents real students, young people whose lives are being transformed by opportunity.

As OUSD looks to the future, the story of Measures N and H is a powerful reminder: when a community invests strategically and equitably, student potential flourishes.

To sustain this progress, continued funding and public support will be essential. The last decade has shown what’s possible — and with ongoing commitment, OUSD can ensure that every student graduates prepared, empowered and inspired to thrive.