Signs of a Dying Democracy?
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Three speeches by public figures on the same day alarmed Dr. Robert B.
Shpiner, a clinical professor of medicine in pulmonary and critical care at
the UCLA...
America’s Faith in Schooling
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Just see wherever we peer into the first tiny springs of the national life,
how this true panacea for all of the ills of the body politic bubbles
forth—edu...
Is the Package the Package?
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UFT contract negotiations with the City of New York. Odd wording. Real
question. Does the City begin negotiations by (generally) explaining the
total monet...
Ridiculous Headlines about Public Education
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I’ve been writing about education policy and practice for more than 25
years, in my local newspaper (gratis), for an education nonprofit (paid),
for Educat...
Clean Up Time Without Bossing the Kids Around
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In the sitcom *Seinfeld*, the character Elaine Benes is annoyed that a
friend doesn't think she's up to being a babysitter: "I couldn't raise a
kid? C'm...
Back to School with New Laws
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WSMV reports on new laws impacting classrooms as schools head back to
session: A new law, HB2393/SB2310, restricts digital-device use in
kindergarten throu...
These Texans Love Their Public Schools!
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Come listen to Texans who love public schools and who fight for them every
day at the Network for Public Education in Conroe, Texas, September 26 and
27t...
Paula Lewis resigns from OKCPS chairperson post
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[image: Paula Lewis resigns]Less than halfway through her current four-year
term in elected office, Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education
Chair...
Threatening Seashells?
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Former FBI Director James Comey urged a judge on Monday
to throw out federal charges against him, arguing that a photo of seashells
ar...
Updates on Seattle Schools, July 27, 2025
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*Update:*
From The Seattle Times, a story that SPS is appealing to an appeals court
over an $8M judgment against them *"**in which a former math teacher ...
Turning Back the Clock
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Two years ago my son, Josh, gave me a fascinating birthday present, this
clock that runs backward. He engineered it himself, working with a cheap
battery-...
ICYMI: 170th Anniversary Edition (7/26)
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I have played trombone in our town band since I was in eighth grade. It is
a special kind of treat to sit on that bandstand in the park, playing with
a gro...
MediKids: Sen. Kim’s Vision to Cover All Kids
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The American people do not believe that children should be sick, in pain,
or without preventive care like vaccinations and annual check-ups based on
the we...
Gifted and Talented Education Issues
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By Thomas Ultican 7/22/2026 In California, we call them GATE (Gifted and
Talented Education) students, other states have their own designations.
Whatever l...
NOLA Teacher Charged with 102 Felonies for AI Nudes
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With new, streamlined technology comes new, streamlined criminal activity.
Consider the photo manipulation/ alteration capabilities of AI. Most of
America ...
By One Dishonest Measure
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A loaded question that education reformers like to ponder is: Exactly how
many students in the boroughs of New York City are trapped in failing
schools? In...
Farm to Summer Celebration Week 2026: Post-Survey
-
The California Department of Education (CDE) recognizes SMP operators who
complete the three key elements during the F2Summer Celebration Week: 1)
Taste, 2...
1776
-
__________
“The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and
conduct of this army…. We have, therefore, resolved to conquer...
Nosotros, El Pueblo, Venceremos
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Siento gratitud hacia todas las personas que, a lo largo de los siglos,
alzaron sus voces y se organizaron para hacer de este país un lugar mejor.
Ahora es...
May’s Parent Engagement Resources
-
San Diego Unified Created a System to ‘Empower’ Parents. It Unraveled is
from The Voice of San Diego. Why Those Disengaged Parents in Your School
Deserve a...
The Math Was Within Us All Along
-
Now that I finished my second book, let me tell you a story that won’t make
it into the manuscript: A few weeks ago, I ...
Read More
The post The Math W...
Read and Learn from the Past
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I just finished reading “The Boys in the Light” by Nina Willner. This is a
wonderful World War II story of survival, faith, and brotherhood. I highly
recom...
Reflections on America, the world, and life
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I acknowledge that I rarely post here anymore. Folks should remember that I
am approaching my 80th birthday in less than 9 weeks, I am still teaching
ful...
Shutting Down The Site
-
Ten years ago, I ran for a seat on the LAUSD School Board of Education with
the goal to *Change the LAUSD*.
I am proud of the campaign we ran. We achieve...
The Company You Keep
-
Even though the filing period for the 2026 elections isn't until April,
let's all pay close attention. The candidates lining up to run will tell
you more a...
Blogoversary #19 — Time to Move on
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Times have changed. I had a nice long run here, but let’s face it, it ended
a while ago. So I’ve moved. I’m not writing much any more, but when I do it
wil...
Il Papa è Morto
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Francis brought a distinct pastoral outlook to his papacy. A simple man, he
lived in a small apartment in the guesthouse. He sought to make the church
acce...
Mike Shulman the ARISE UFT Judenrat
-
I was surprised to learn that Mike Shulman has aligned himself with ARISE.
I previously supported him, advocating that the Castle Doctrine could have
bee...
AIN’T IT AWFUL
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As the terrible feelings of dread and angst spread across the world the
great majority of the American people feel powerless before the onslaught
of those ...
Vote NO on the UFT Contract. Here is Why:
-
The best reason to vote no on this contract is this: UFT Unity* lied* to us
in 2018. They misrepresented that contract. It was predicated on deals we
wer...
Testimony to the CPS Truancy Task Force
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I prepared testimony for one of two public hearings held by the Chicago
Public Schools Truancy Task Force, a body mandated by state legislation.
The meetin...
There Is A Teacher Shortage.Not.
-
THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE. And just to be sure you understand, it’s not
that teachers don’t want to teach. It’s not that there aren’t enough
teachers cer...
Book Banning Turns to Dick and Jane
-
Breaking News: Dateline February 4, 2022 - Parents in Dimwitty, Alabama
have asked the Dimwitty Board of Education to ban the children's primer *Fun
with...
Have You Heard Has a New Website
-
TweetHave You Heard has a new website. Visit us at
www.haveyouheardpodcast.com to find our latest episodes and our entire
archive. And be sure to check out...
Follow me at Substack
-
I've moved. Follow me at Substack
I'm now posting regularly at Substack. You can subscribe for free to my new
Edu/Pol blog at michaelklonsky.substack.com
...
I’ve moved.
-
I’m on Substack now. You can continue to receive periodic posts for free.
Or you can read every post and comment for $5 a month, $60 a year.
fredklonsky.su...
Aspiring Teachers Get New Help Paying For College
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[image: colorful classroom pattern]
*; Credit: shuoshu/Getty Images*
Cory Turner | NPR
New rules kick in today that will help aspiring teachers pay for c...
Tips Akses Situs Judi Qq Tanpa Perlu Takut Nawala
-
Kegiatan berjudi slot melalui situs judi qq online, sekarang sudah
dilakukan oleh banyak penjudi Indonesia. Tentu, Kamu yang sedang membaca
artikel ini a...
The Threat of Integration
-
I have lived in the same house in the Miracle Mile section of Los Angeles
for over 30 years, where up until now I have had little or no interaction
with th...
We fight for a democracy worthy of us all!
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The nation stands at a crossroads, said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García
in her final keynote address to the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly and
it’s up...
The Passing Of Chaz 1951-2020 Age 69
-
I am the son of Chaz and like to inform you that he passed away this
afternoon from the COVID virus. My father passed in peace beside his loved
ones. We ar...
The Fight For Our Children
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*The number of suicides among people ages 10 to 24 nationally increased by
56 percent between 2007 and 2017, according to a new federal report showing
the ...
Read to Self: Just a Kid and a Book.
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Date: Monday, January 5, 2020 Place: My classroom Student: Mrs.Mims, could
we start doing Read to Self again because I got this great book for
Christmas an...
Reminiscences
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I just finished dumping the rest of my lesson plans. I guess I held on to
the calculus ones for so long because I spent so much time working on them
an...
Just Asking for some Teachers I know.
-
Recently Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers stated, We must … recognize that
part of supporting our kids in the classroom means supporting the educators
who t...
Cara Menang Bermain Judi Bola Online
-
Bermain judi bola online tentu saja memiliki kesenangannya tersendiri baik
itu mendapatkan keuntungan maupun ketika menantikan hasil skor pada sebuah
perta...
A Critique of Standards-Based Grading
-
It first happened to me about ten years ago. I was beginning my third year
of teaching in a new school in Washington, DC. Social studies teachers were
si...
Reduced time for testing? Not so fast.
-
NYSED and Commish Elia continue to say that the NYS Assessments are of
reasonable length, I completely disagree.
Here is what NYSED states are average expe...
The World According to Michelle Rhee
-
The men behind the curtain fashioning the brave new world of corporate run
education in America! Michelle Rhee is the founder of StudentsFirst, The
New T...
Whose Opinions Matter in Education World?
-
It's hard to identify education heroes and sheroes. And perhaps even harder
to pinpoint just whose work is slanted, paid-for and dishonest.
New Local Businesses in Sacramento
-
Starting a new local business in Sacramento is a monumental task, but can
be accomplished with footwork, perseverance and knowledge. One must learn
the loc...
Lesson Plan: Rhyme and Rhythm in Poetry
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I’ve started a recent unit on poetry with my class. I’m not a poet, and I’m
not a poetry fan (I don’t hate it, but I’m a prose gal), so this makes it
harde...
The Apotheosis of Betsy DeVos
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Betsy Devos has drawn few headlines in recent months, and that is a good
thing for the Secretary of Education. Her tenure began with Vice President
Mike P...
Education Is a Civic Question
-
In their final post to end Bridging Differences' decade-long run, Deborah
Meier and Harry Boyte urge readers to put the energy, talents, wisdom, and
hard w...
Site News: New Home for Education News & Commentary
-
Quick! Get over there! The daily education news roundup and education
commentaries that you're probably looking for are now being published over
at The Gra...
Should We Be Grateful?
-
In an odd turn of events, and with little explanation, Michigan Governor
Rick Snyder has decided to return the state’s School Reform Office back to
the Dep...
An Open Letter to NC Lawmakers
-
An Open Letter to NC State Lawmakers and NC State Superintendent Mark
Johnson: I am a NC native, voter, and public school teacher. I am
addressing you all ...
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My Next Bestseller)
-
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My next bestseller) Prologue I just finished
watching a fascinating documentary on Netflix entitled, “The Secret”. The
film p...
Farewell, Sleep
-
Today is the official last day of my spring break. I've done a scientific
survey: My natural bedtime is 2 AM, and my natural wake up time is 9:41
AM. Tom...
REPORT: States With the Best and Worst Schools
-
States With the Best (and Worst)Schools
By *Evan Comen, Michael B. Sauter, Samuel Stebbins and Thomas C. Frohlich*
January 20, 2017- http://247wallst.com
...
Test Refusal = People Power
-
In recent months, social media has been ablaze with talk of regular folk
taking action to resist the Trump agenda. Protests are a daily occurrence,
and ev...
Random Musings and Observations. . . .
-
I’ve been gone a while from the blogging scene. Some of my more regular
readers no doubt noticed but did not hassle me about it. Thank you for
that. Sinc...
AB 934: A LEGISLATIVE FIX FOR VERGARA?
-
By Michael Stratford | in the Politco Morning Education Report | via email
05/24/2016 10:00 AM EDT :: Two national education groups are backing a
Califor...
MY NEW BLOG
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My new blog will consist of fictitious headlines, meant to be a blend of
humor and satire. I apologize ahead of time if any other satirical site has
simila...
Thank you
-
Dear Readers,
Thank you for visiting *The Perimeter Primate*. This blog is being retired
for the time being. Although I no longer post here, I do still s...
I am Retiring
-
I have some news: I am retiring from the PBS NewsHour and Learning Matters.
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other
conte...
New Beginnings: Kickstarter and EdWeek Teacher
-
Greetings to InterACT readers one and all! If you’ve been following posts
here recently you might recall that I’m moving my blogging activity to
other loca...
Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School
-
*“With Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School closing, Newark families must
move on.”* The Star-Ledger (NJ), 6/25/2013
NEWARK — Bobby and Troy Shanks saw the...
CURMUDGUCATION: Essential Reading for Education Activists (and Wonks) : Essential Reading for Education Activists (and Wonks) Corporate, privatized, market-driven education reform hasn't worked-- and now there's a book chock full of research to prove it. The National Education Policy Center is based at the University of Colorado (Boulder) School of Education. They look kind of like what I always
This is our story. It must be told - Lily's Blackboard : This is our story. It must be told President Barack Obama, with first lady Michelle Obama and Ruth Odom Bonner, center, ring the bell opening the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) The National Museum of African Amer
The War Report on Public Education with Dr James Miller : CT Court Ruling - Where is the truth, equity, and justice? Pleas e join Internet radio host Dr. James Avington Miller Jr. for a special report on the CCJEF vs. Rell court ruling and how this ruling significantly affects children, parents, teachers, communities, and potentially the whole country. Dr. Miller's featured guests will be CT blog
CURMUDGUCATION : Catch up with CURMUDGUCATION The Gates Plan for College 6 by Peter Greene / 1h Some days I feel kind of Rip Van Winklesque, as if I went to sleep and when I woke up the world had changed. Apparently while I was sleeping, the electorate rose up and elected Bill Gates the Grand Uber Head of Education. "Please," a bunch of you non-sleeping people said. "Redesign our e
More about the extremely disappointing CCJEF v. Rell ruling by Wendy Lecker - Wait What? : More about the extremely disappointing CCJEF v. Rell ruling by Wendy Lecker The mass media was quick to fixate on the one “positive” element of the recent CCJEF v. Rell school funding lawsuit ruling, missing the many series problems associated with decision. In her first piece, Problems with the CCJEF Decis
Cheri Kiesecker: What Parents Need to Know About Google Apps for Education | Diane Ravitch's blog : Cheri Kiesecker: What Parents Need to Know About Google Apps for Education Cheri Kiesecker is a Colorado parent who pays close attention to technology that invades student privacy. She left the following warning as a comment: In response to the question about GAFE. Below are a few links that may be
Oregon Save Our Schools: Secretary of State Releases Flawed Audit of Smarter Balanced Asssessment : Secretary of State Releases Flawed Audit of Smarter Balanced Asssessment On September 14, the Oregon Secretary of State's office released its long awaited audit of the Smarter Balanced Assessment, as required by House Bill 2713 . The audit appears to have relied heavily on information provided by t
Schools Matter: Teacher Evaluation, the Prequel : Teacher Evaluation, the Prequel Imagine being able to evaluate a teacher before she is even hired! Too good to be true, you say? Read on. Imagine the ability to hire a teacher that you know in advance will be able to produce those test scores necessary to 1) help your school system stay head and shoulders above your neighbors, 2) help your poorest
The Schools All Children Deserve – Live Long and Prosper : The Schools All Children Deserve CHICAGO TRIBUNE: “REFORM” ADVOCATE There’s a battle going on in Chicago for the future of the Chicago Public Schools. It mirrors the national education story in at least one way…it’s a battle between vocal parents and teachers against a “reform” movement led by the rich and powerful at the expense of publi
Badass Teachers Association : Teaching in Triage By: Emily Alberty Originally posted on Buckeye BATs Blog - https://buckeyebats.wordpress.com/2016/09/23/teaching-in-triage/ As posted in the public Facebook group Cleveland Caucus to Reclaim Our Schools/CLE UnitedRank & File Educators (CURE). I wrote this last March, after looking outside at the school playground and seeing the Cleveland police
Demand the Impossible! (excerpt # 4) | Bill Ayers : Demand the Impossible! (excerpt # 4) Bill Ayers -- Demand the Impossible!: A Radical Manifesto | Haymarket Books - http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/Demand-the-Impossible A pervasive and frantically promoted proposition that runs loose in the land is that being a military powerhouse makes the United States (and people everywhere) safe, protects f
Teaching Algebra II: Technology Integration | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice : Teaching Algebra II: Technology Integration I observed an Algebra 2 class at Hacienda (pseudonym), a Northern California high school, on September 9, 2016. The high school has over 1900 students, mostly minority (Asian and Latino). About 20 percent of the students are eligible for free and reduced
Delaware Competency-Based Education, Part 2: Reinventing Schools & Dark Omens – Exceptional Delaware : Delaware Competency-Based Education, Part 2: Reinventing Schools & Dark Omens At the first official meeting for the Delaware Dept. of Education/Rodel created Guiding Coalition for Competency-Based Learning, an email went out to members to research an organization called Reinventing Schoo
Louisiana Educator: School Disciplinary Authority is Being Seriously Eroded : School Disciplinary Authority is Being Seriously Eroded This article in Education Week magazine describes a growing national trend to reduce educator authority to suspend students for disciplinary infractions. A major substitute for out-of-school suspension is a program called restorative justice . In this scheme, teach
I Am So Sick of White People’s Excuses (And I’m White!) | gadflyonthewallblog : I Am So Sick of White People’s Excuses (And I’m White!) What the heck is wrong with us, white people? Systematic racism is all around , but we refuse to see it. Oh, and I do mean REFUSE . It’s not a matter of being unable to see it. Our eyes and minds work just as well as anyone else’s. We can perceive reality. Too ma
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Note to some fellow lefties... : Note to some fellow lefties... Students from Johnson C. Smith University at a rally for Hillary Clinton in Charlotte, North Carolina. Credit Doug Mills/The New York Times Sorry to say, rapacious capitalism will still be here in November. Not only that, but I doubt it will ever be simply voted out. Even if a "socialist" like
This Was The Summer of Charter School Discontent | Daniel Katz, Ph.D. : This Was The Summer of Charter School Discontent As summer gives way to Fall, it is worth taking note how shifts, both subtle and substantial, are changing the ground on which charter school advocates fight for more of our public education system. This is not what they are used to. Backed by billionaire financing , using that
College Board chief promises changes to SAT test amid controversies | Reuters : College Board chief promises changes to SAT test amid controversies The maker of the SAT, America’s oldest college-entrance exam, promised to streamline its new math questions and scale back the reuse of tests, a longtime practice that has made the exam vulnerable to cheating. David Coleman, chief executive of the Col
Students Are Pulling a Kaepernick All Over America — and Being Threatened for It : Students Are Pulling a Kaepernick All Over America — and Being Threatened for It STUDENTS ARE BEING threatened with punishment for not participating in rituals surrounding the national anthem or Pledge of Allegiance — and they are fighting back. Since NFL 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat during the national a
Parent dives into Jefferson County transgender saga, helps create new school policy | Metro | stltoday.com : Parent dives into Jefferson County transgender saga, helps create new school policy Parent dives into Jefferson County transgender saga, helps create new school policy | Metro | stltoday.com : HILLSBORO • Derrick Good carries the aura of a fixer. At lunch the other day at the Courthouse Gr
Prop. 55 asks voters to extend governor’s income tax on wealthy - San Francisco Chronicle : Prop. 55 asks voters to extend governor’s income tax on wealthy SACRAMENTO — When Californians were asked four years ago whether wealthy people in the state should pay higher income taxes to prevent deep cuts to education and other public programs, opponents built a substantial war chest to fight the measu
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 9/23/16 Featured Post Exclusive Photos of Mayor Kevin Johnson's Pie Incident - Sacramento Magazine CURMUDGUCATION: CA: Court Rejects Test-based Teacher Eval 1 by mike
