This is a sampling of The Education Report, Katy Murphy's Oakland schools blog. Read more atwww.IBAbuzz.com/education. Follow her at Twitter.com/KatyMurphy.

Feb. 22: Two Oakland elementary schools whose attempted breakaway from the district was recently denied (by the district) are taking a different approach in their quest for independence. Tonight, the principals of ASCEND and Learning Without Limits turned in revised applications -- this time, for "partnership charters," which would work more closely with OUSD.

The faculties at both schools voted last fall to separate from the district and operate as publicly funded, but independent charters. Teachers said they felt their schools should have more control over staffing, finances, curriculum and scheduling -- conditions they said they felt should be shared, citywide.

The move was a blow to the district, and it came out as the board was holding its contentious school closure hearings. In January, the board denied the applications, and the schools appealed the decision to the Alameda