The Real War on Christmas
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Thanksgiving is over. The leftovers are gone. Is it time to resume the War
on Christmas?
Nothing says ‘peace on Earth’ like a Black Friday stampede.
👉 ...
Charter Schools in a Racist Big Easy
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By Thomas Ultican 12/8/2025 New Orleans was the site of the largest slave
market in America. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, more than
135,000 s...
Success Doesn’t Define You. What You Do Next Does.
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Every now and then, a moment arrives that shows you exactly why culture
matters. Last night in Detroit, Western Michigan won the MAC Football
Championship ...
ICYMI: Chorus Edition (12/7)
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The CMO of the Institute (that’s Chief Marital Officer) sings in a
community chorus because, among other reasons, she objectively has a voice
much like tha...
ICYMI: Chorus Edition (12/7)
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The CMO of the Institute (that's Chief Marital Officer) sings in a
community chorus because, among other reasons, she objectively has a voice
much like tha...
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...
Chicago Torture Justice Memorial–HELP!!!
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As a member of Chicago Torture Justice Memorial Foundation’s Social Justice
Pollinator Hive (our community of recurring donors), we’ve been busy
working to...
Poem: someone died today
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[Header Photo by Ron Szalata on Unsplash] someone died todayand made my
partner cry i am afraid of dyingbut more afraid of not living not living
like today...
Ten News Items from The Contrarian
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These Top 10 lists will be refreshed weekly and will have their own tab on
the Contrarian homepage. Here’s our first one, followed as usual by my
rund...
A Crucial Lesson I Learned as a Young Teacher
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By the fifth year of teaching at Cleveland’s Glenville High School in the
early 1960s, however, I had learned one of the most important lessons a
teacher c...
Best STEM Materials for Classrooms – 2025 Reviews
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As a classroom teacher with over a decade of experience, I’ve watched STEM
materials evolve from simple blocks to sophisticated learning...
The post Best...
This and That, December 5, 2025
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*Update:*
The Seattle Times has a good profile of *Board President Gina Topp.*
One key item noted in the article is that, coming up at next week's regular
...
Gossiping
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What other people say about me is none of my business.
It's a rationale that pops up for me when I feel judged by others, when I
suspect or know that so...
How the NYPD violates sanctuary city laws.
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Over the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means for
New York to call itself a sanctuary city — and whether those words still
carry th...
Part II: Charter School Reckoning: Disillusionment
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The second installment of a three-part report compiles some of the most
striking examples of charter school mismanagement and self-dealing, along
with ab...
Youth. For Christ? At School?
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I should probably preface what I’m about to say by noting that I
self-identify as a liberal Christian. Without getting too far into the
theological weeds—o...
‘An Education’ by Diane Ravitch — My Review
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Fifty years after the publication of her first book, ‘The Great School
Wars’, author and historian Diane Ravtich has released her long awaited
memoirs. In...
It Is Up to Us to Defend Democracy
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Do we have the courage to defeat an authoritarian regime? I believe we do,
if we organize strategically and effectively. There is no time to waste.
Do we...
November’s Parent Engagement Resources
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Be A Learning Hero has lots of research parent engagement with schools. No
Simple Answers for Kids and Screens* (Sara Konrath) After 10 years of
studying f...
Fix the Past or Invent the Future?
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Introduction Order the book from ASCD or Amazon. For years, the pervasive
story of American education was one of decline. In 1995, educational
psychologist...
Donald Trump, The Epstein Files, and “60 Minutes”
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Fans of ‘Sesame Street” will remember this song: “One of these things is
not like the others. One of these things just doesn’t belong. Can you say
which th...
Tuesday’s Close Election: Proposal One
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Zohran won six days ago. That was the election that everyone remembers. But
there was more on the ballot. Proposals 2 – 6 were about New York City (2 –
5 p...
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 ...
Trying to get video cameras for my school
-
through Donors Choose.
Here’s the project:
www.donorschoose.org/…
Putting this up because today only there is a 50% match for whatever you
contribute s...
Don’t Follow Advice from Billionaires
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This is by Julian Vasquez Lustig. —————- When billionaires step onto a
stage, release a book, or tweet some glossy piece of wisdom, the world pays
attentio...
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...
Trump plays Putin’s Playbook
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Recently Aleksander Dugin was interviewed on CNN, last week, and he stated
that he believes Trump is closer ideologically to President Putin than to
Washin...
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:
-
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
-
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
...
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.
-
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...
My First and Last Visit to Hudson Yards
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Figuring I did not need to invite any more darkness and vulgarity into my
head than that provided on a daily basis from Trump’s White House, and
after read...
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.
Blockchain: Life on the Ledger
-
Originally posted on Wrench in the Gears:
I created this video as a follow up to the one I prepared last year on
Social Impact Bonds. It is time to examine...
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
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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?
-
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
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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
-
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?
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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
-
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...
Colorado: State Tells District to “Reconsider” Walton-Dominated Charter– But Let’s Not Mention Walton. | deutsch29 : Colorado: State Tells District to “Reconsider” Walton-Dominated Charter– But Let’s Not Mention Walton. Walmart grandson, James Walton, is substantially connected to Colorado’s proposed Great Work Montessori School (GWMS). In October 2016, the Denver Advisory Committee (DAC) express
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Overview Thoughts as We Come to the End of 2016 : Overview Thoughts as We Come to the End of 2016 We don't need to have an expanded discussion here on these various issues but here's what I'll be writing about by the end of the year: - effects of the Trump administration on public education . (My advice on all this is to 1) Stay Calm and join the resistance; here'
Six countries. Two educational strategies. One consistent conclusion. | Schott Foundation for Public Education : Six countries. Two educational strategies. One consistent conclusion. A new book, Global Education Reform: How Privatization and Public Investment Influence Education Outcomes , provides a powerful analysis of different ends of an ideological spectrum – from market-based experiments to
Educational Inequities in the New Orleans Charter School System | Schott Foundation for Public Education : Educational Inequities in the New Orleans Charter School System New Orleans provides a model for examining the feasibility of a nearly 100% charter, market based system of schools. This is truly an education experiment on a grand scale, and because New Orleans’ system is unique, the nation i
CURMUDGUCATION: Gerrymandering Charter Success : Gerrymandering Charter Success Once again I'm reading a spate of charter fan fiction in which charters are lauded for out-performing the rest of the schools in their city. That one right there near the center is where I've been smacking my head "Out-perform the rest of the schools in East Egg" is a meaningless metric, and I keep trying to explain w
Schools Matter: DIBELVEC: A Word for Our Time : DIBELVEC: A Word for Our Time To DIBELVEC Verb to deprive primary grade children daily access to picture books so their school program can qualify as "scientific" according to U. S. Department of Education/Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation guidelines to make overly obedient and patterned to following scripts in preparation for employment as workers
Let's Unpresident Trump [The Progressive] | The Jose Vilson : Let’s Unpresident Trump [The Progressive] I’ve been on a writing tear in the last week or so. The first is a piece I did for the Progressive, reflecting on the incoming President-elect. Here’s some of the post : Forget fear in classrooms. My students were texting their parents and siblings at home to make sure there’s a back-up plan in
Will Texas Parents Save Special Education? : Will Texas Parents Save Special Education? In order for the nation to get back their public schools they have to realize what they’re losing. This is especially true for special education. For years, across the nation we have seen an eroding of services for students with disabilities. In Texas, denying children their right to special education, since 2
Getting Students With Autism Through High School, To College And Beyond : NPR Ed : NPR : Getting Students With Autism Through High School, To College And Beyond Colin Ozeki, a high school student with autism, is on track to graduate this year from Millennium Brooklyn High School with an advanced diploma. Amy Pearl/WNYC Colin Ozeki, 16, doesn't like to sugarcoat how autism spectrum disorder has af
CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Frantic Shopping Edition (12/18) : ICYMI: Frantic Shopping Edition (12/18) You're not here today, are you? You're out trying to finish shopping before you get back to school and don't have time to shop at all. Here to help you take a break is this week's selection of reading stuff, culled from about the interwebs. If you like it, pass it on. Teachers Are Delusional Things a
CT Judges' anti-special education rant attracts federal government concern - Wait What? : CT Judges’ anti-special education rant attracts federal government concern Rather than properly rule that Connecticut historic underfunding of its public schools is unconstitutional and that Connecticut’s state government is failing to ensure that every child is receiving their constitutionally guaranteed ac
Stanford Research: Investing in Public Schools Is More Effective Than Privatization | Diane Ravitch's blog : Stanford Research: Investing in Public Schools Is More Effective Than Privatization This is a project that should interest all readers of the blog as well as state and local school boards and elected officials at every level. It includes a book that reviews education issues around the glob
Four Practical and Four Moral Reasons to Make Your City a Sanctuary City | gadflyonthewallblog : Four Practical and Four Moral Reasons to Make Your City a Sanctuary City There’s an entire underclass of people living among us. These are people like you or me who have no choice but to do the most menial jobs for meager pay under the table. And when reality-TV-stars-turned-politicians like Donald Tr
Russ on Reading: Beyond Grades: How Am I Doing? : Beyond Grades: How Am I Doing? Part 2 in a series on grading and feedback In a post two weeks ago , I argued that we need to move away from grades for reporting student achievement. I argued that grades are ineffective in reporting student learning, encourage a grade acquisition orientation rather than a learning orientation, and destroy the motiv
Personalized Learning at Weller Elementary School (Milpitas, CA) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice : Personalized Learning at Weller Elementary School (Milpitas, CA) In the Spring of 2012, teachers at Weller Elementary School, along with other schools in the Milpitas Unified School District, presented blueprints for re-designing their schools to Superintendent Cary Matsuoka, h
A Teacher on Teaching: School Reform: Fifteen Years of "Diet Plans" That Couldn't Fail : School Reform: Fifteen Years of "Diet Plans" That Couldn't Fail Imagine you wanted to lose a few pounds. (Most Americans do; so that might not be hard too hard.) Now picture some svelte fitness guru who promises success: “Follow my plan and you cannot go wrong. You will lose all the pounds you could want.” Yo
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 12/17/16 Featured Post The NPE Toolkit: Stop Betsy DeVos - Network For Public Education Digale a su senador que vote no por Betsy DeVos - Network For Public Education by mike simpson /