The award, from a group representing nearly 1,000 educational agencies across California, “recognizes the essential role journalists play in increasing understanding of public schools.”

By ONME News - Oaklandside Staff

The Oaklandside’s education equity reporter, Ashley McBride, was honored last month by representatives of California’s public school districts with a Golden Quill Award for her coverage of public schools.

The Golden Quill Award honors outstanding journalists whose work helps the public understand the objectives, operations, accomplishments, challenges, and opportunities related to public schools.

“Now more than ever, excellent reporting is an invaluable resource for our communities,” said Alameda County Board of Education President Cheryl Cook-Kallio. “Ashley McBride’s work contributes to the civic discourse by providing factually accurate and timely stories on important topics impacting Oakland schools while highlighting the rich diversity of its students.”

McBride received the “Certificate of Excellence in Reporting” from the Alameda County Board of Education on Nov. 12.

Having joined The Oaklandside four years ago, McBride has reported hundreds of stories about the Oakland Unified School District and other school systems. McBride’s reporting centers students, communities of color, immigrants, educators, and others whose voices have often been drowned out in education policy discussions. She’s extensively covered student activism, youth perspectives, and promising educational programs as well as challenges like OUSD’s budget deficits, school closures, environmental hazards, and school staffing issues.

“I’m really grateful for this recognition,” McBride said. “I hope that through my reporting, people come away with a full picture of all that’s happening within Oakland schools: the dilemmas and controversies, but also the promises and progress.”