Appreciating Life….
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Earlier this week I reprinted a powerful piece by a college classmate.
Today, a moving meditation on life and aging written by a talented high
school frien...
Trump, Trump, Trump: Thy Name Spells Vanity!
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Tim Dickinson, senior political writer for The Contrarian, compiled a list
of things and places on which Trump has plastered his name: public
buildings, ou...
Brute Fact
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On a regular cycle, the moon in various phases is visible in the morning.
Each day, when I observe it upon waking, it is in a different place, then
trace...
What do teenagers need from their parents?
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Parenting teens requires a careful balance of monitored freedom, according
to Professor of Human Development and Family Studies Greg Fosco
Peer-Reviewe...
Public Schools Form Democratic Citizens
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Constitutional Scholar Derek W. Black believes courts should consider
public schools’ historic purpose as they protect students’ freedom of
speech. In an a...
Has Your Teen Tried TalkSpace?
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This offering from the City of Seattle and SPS recently came onto my radar
and I don't know how I missed it.
I do want to do a complete post on all the...
TX: More Ten Commandments Baloney
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Texas was one more state passing a law to mandate the display of the
state-approved version of the Ten Commandments. That law was challenged,
and U.S. Dist...
TX: More Ten Commandments Baloney
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Texas was one more state passing a law to mandate the display of the
state-approved version of the Ten Commandments. That law was challenged,
and U.S. Di...
Rosenberg Fund for Children
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I went to visit my mom. April 6 – April 11. We went to a lot of doctor’s
appointments. That was hard. But we had a lot of time to chat. She was
happy I vis...
No Need Rushing for AI in Education
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By Thomas Ultican 4/20/2026 School districts throughout America are being
pushed to spend huge dollars to implement artificial intelligence (AI).
This Sili...
I Want You to March With Me This May Day
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I invite you to march with me this May Day, then organize to win elections
and protect our right to vote. Together, we can prove the power of
organized peo...
Let’s Pay Teachers Overtime
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The title of the article made me laugh out loud: Should Teachers Get
Overtime? Subtitle: EdWeek Readers have some thoughts. I’ll bet they do.
Fortunately, ...
We need your help..please read
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I am asking your assistance to help my Pastor. I live in the Adirondacks in
New York State and there is a severe shortage of priests up here. So help
on th...
Stop the Charter School Cash Grab
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NPE celebrates Women's History month by highlighting the accomplishments of
10 inspiring women from Jane Addams to Ida B. Wells to Christa McAuliffe.
The...
Around The Web In ESL/EFL/ELL
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Eight years ago I began this regular feature where I share a few posts and
resources from around the Web related to ESL/EFL or to language in general
that ...
Follow the Flow
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“If there is one class of person I have never quite trusted, it is a man
who knows no doubt.” ― Geraldine Brooks I’ve picked up a new hobby
recently. Adm...
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...
March’s Parent Engagement Resources
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Better pay, more respect, clearer job description: Here’s what parent
coordinators want Mamdani to know. is from Chalkbeat. Family Engagement
Matters is fr...
Margie Lopez-Waite Out As CEO Of ASPIRA
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In a letter sent to parents, students, and staff members, the board of Las
Americas ASPIRA Academy announced that effective yesterday, 3/23/2026,
Margie Lo...
Donald Trump and the Triumph of Narcissism
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Although I am neither an historian nor a psychologist, I know enough
American history to know that Trump’s demand that Greenland capitulate to
his desire...
Shutting Down The Site
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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...
A colleague looks back at 2025
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Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more I get knocked down But I get
up again BETSY WOLF DEC 31READ IN APP I’ve been quiet for most of 2025.
Much of ...
The Company You Keep
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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...
This Is What Democracy Looks Like
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The polls for Prop 50, CA’s ballot initiative that counters MAGA’s illegal
gerry-mandering in Texas, opened Tuesday, November 4, 2025,…
The post This Is ...
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
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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...
How Do We Fight Trump?
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Dear Friends, I don’t know when and why it hit me. But I suddenly realized
how serious Trump is about changing the country into something that
horrifies. I...
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:
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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 GarcÃa
in her final keynote address to the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly and
it’s up...
The Passing Of Chaz 1951-2020 Age 69
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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. . . .
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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*“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: Can Evidence Improve America's Schools? : Can Evidence Improve America's Schools? That's the question asked by Mike Petrilli (Fordham Institute) asks over at the Fordham blog. The piece harkens back to Chester Finn's 1986 book titled, unironically, What Works. And the piece also ties into Petrilli's ongoing series about how to drive change in education. After noting that nothing f
Parent to Broward School Board: “I will not go quietly into the night…” | THE OPT OUT FLORIDA NETWORK : Parent to Broward School Board: “I will not go quietly into the night…” Brandy Paternoster is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit to make #180DaysCount in school. Her compelling address at the Broward County Public Schools’ Board meeting yesterday, is an indictment of the district’s position a
School House to White House : Why Destroying Public Schools is a BAD IDEA! School House to White House: The Education of the Presidents Larger Version First-grader Richard Nixon sits at the end of the first row. (Nixon Library) Our modern Presidents received educations and participated in school activities in ways as diverse as their backgrounds and their political philosophies. Some of the Presi
All the risk, none of the rewards for Michigan cities : All the risk, none of the rewards for Michigan cities Lincoln Park’s financial emergency, declared in 2014, inspired some serious rewrites of employee contracts and outsourcing of some city services. Retirees had their health coverage yanked. Now, the budget is balanced, if spare, and the city is poised to exit emergency management. But what
Ariz. charter school accused of illegally teaching religious doctrine | News | yumasun.com : Ariz. charter school accused of illegally teaching religious doctrine PHOENIX -- A national organization filed suit Wednesday against an Arizona charter school with ties to a member of the state Board of Education, accusing it of using state funds to illegally teach religious doctrine. The federal court l
Charter Schools: The New Private Prisons? - Mitchell Robinson: Reforming Reform : Charter Schools: The New Private Prisons? A new report from the Justice Department recommends the suspension of contracts for private prisons, effective immediately. In explaining the justification for this decision, Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates concluded that "the facilities are both less safe and less
Cognitive Dissidence: ALEC Aims to Privatize All Schools : ALEC Aims to Privatize All Schools On the heels of a newly passed state budget that again leaves our K-12 public schools behind without ample and consistent funding, I recently headed back to where the school privatization push all began—the American Legislative Exchange Council , or ALEC. ALEC and its members, including the American Fede
Ed Notes Online: The Case of Eva and the Disappearing Sucess Academy Clueless Training Videos : The Case of Eva and the Disappearing Success Academy Clueless Training Videos ....taking down of 430 out of 485 videos is an extreme — even paranoid — response to the analysis of one blogger about four of their videos. I hope they put the videos back up soon but I’m assuming they won’t. Update: On Thur
9/8/2016 – Who Gains Most From School Choice? : Who Gains Most From School Choice? September 8, 2016, 2016 Subscribe THIS WEEK: Black Teachers Matter … Making Teachers Moonlight … Teacher Shortages Acute … How Charters End Afrocentric Education … How Charters Change Democrats TOP STORY Who Gains Most From School Choice? Not Low-Income Students Of Color By Jeff Bryant “No doubt school choice will
DeVos Family Contributes Lavishly to Legislators Who Defeated Detroit Charter School Oversight | janresseger : DeVos Family Contributes Lavishly to Legislators Who Defeated Detroit Charter School Oversight I grew up in Montana, where in Montana history class we learned that at one time Anaconda Copper owned the state legislature. While the patrons have changed over the decades, the political proc
California students with highest chronic absentee rates concentrated in 14 districts | EdSource : California students with highest chronic absentee rates concentrated in 14 districts The tiny Forks of Salmon Elementary School District in the far north of California reported that 100 percent of its students – all 12 of them – missed more than three weeks of sch ool in 2013-14 , a lapse that resear
The First Parent-Teacher Conference of One | The Jose Vilson : The First Parent-Teacher Conference of One I’m not supposed to be nervous about the first day. A couple of weeks ago, I told six hundred or so adults in Oak Park, IL that the first day doesn’t matter. I said it was the second day and beyond that ultimately determine a teacher’s effectiveness. But this first day is different. It’s not
Parent Revolution: Another Fiasco for Reformers | Diane Ravitch's blog : Parent Revolution: Another Fiasco for Reformers Beware of AstroTurf Ed Reformers Astroturf lobbying refers to political organizations or campaigns that appear to be made up of grassroots activists but are actually organized and run by corporate interests seeking to further their own agendas. Such groups are often typified by
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Notes from Standing Rock : Notes from Standing Rock We got to camp yesterday afternoon after driving hours through torrential rain storms. We drove in from the north (Bismarck), easily avoiding any roadblocks by taking Rte. 6 off of 94, to 24 and then east into camp. By the time we arrived, the sky had broken and we got our first clear look at this stunning Missouri
SKrashen: I do not support H.R. 4481, The "Education for All Act." : I do not support H.R. 4481, The "Education for All Act." Stephen Krashen September, 2016 H.R. 4481, the "Education for All Act" has been introduced in the US House of Representatives. The description: "To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide assistance for developing countries to
Obama’s education policies are a ‘disaster,’ Diane Ravitch tells Hillary Clinton - The Washington Post : Obama’s education policies are a ‘disaster,’ Diane Ravitch tells Hillary Clinton For some time now, Diane Ravitch has been hoping to get a chance to speak with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton about public education policy. Finally, she did. The meeting was not long, and Ravit
Nearly 600 kids taken out of Dutch "Gulen-schools" - NL Times : NEARLY 600 KIDS TAKEN OUT OF DUTCH “GULEN-SCHOOLS” A total 588 children were removed from nine schools in the Netherlands believed to have ties to Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, according to a study by Dutch newspaper Trouw. That is about a fifth of the schools’ total student count. PO-Raad, the umbrella organization for p
NITI Aayog plans ‘nudge unit’ to help push government's flagship schemes - The Economic Times : Bill Gates I a Nudge! NEW DELHI: India has taken a leaf out of Britain's book to bring behavioural economists and advertising gurus on board