Oakland, California has sometimes been cited as an example of successful school reform. But the Center for Education Reform says that you've got to look a little deeper.

The Center admits that the district has made some substantial improvements in recent years.

"But," says CER president Jeanne Allen, "those improvements have been dependent on people, not the substantive, statutory reforms that can outlive personnel changes. Even with the best people in place, long-term gains cannot occur unless districts make permanent changes that exist long after a superintendent is gone."

That's why structural reforms are needed. In the Center's latest publication, "National Model or Temporary Opportunity? The Oakland Education Reform Story (PDF), Joe Williams takes a look at what we can learn from Oakland.