Appreciating Life….
-
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!
-
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
-
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?
-
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
-
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?
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
“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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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...
How Do We Fight Trump?
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
[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!
-
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
-
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
-
*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.
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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...
What Silicon Valley and the Department of Defense Have Planned for Public Education: A video | Seattle Education : What Silicon Valley and the Department of Defense Have Planned for Public Education: A video Alison McDowell, editor of Wrench in the Gears, gave a presentation titled Future Ready Schools: How Silicon Valley and the Defense Department Plan to Remake Public Education on Saturday, Mar
Disco music, ESSA and your public school - Lily's Blackboard : Disco music, ESSA and your public school Don’t judge me for this, but disco has a special place in my heart. Not necessarily the “ Disco Duck ” variety. (I have taste, after all.) I’m talking about the legendary songs to which we would “ Freak Out ” under a glittering disco ball. Nile Rodgers was co-creator with Bernard Edwards of the
Should More Students Be Allowed to Skip a Grade? : Should More Students Be Allowed to Skip a Grade? When Heather Rains was in elementary school, she skipped ahead two years, from kindergarten to 2nd grade. The decision placed her in the same class as her older sister, which was a little awkward, and she had a hard time making new friends. Rains still played with her same-age friends at recess but
We change the world by showing up. I went to Seattle and got a video on Ed Reform 2.0 / Learning Ecosystems to share! – Wrench in the Gears : We change the world by showing up. I went to Seattle and got a video on Ed Reform 2.0 / Learning Ecosystems to share! This weekend I relished the opportunity to meet up with some wonderful activists with whom I have been collaborating online for many months
STOP the Hostile Take-Over. Re-Elect Steve Zimmer Tues., May 16th, to LAUSD School Board | The Huffington Post : STOP the Hostile Take-Over. Re-Elect Steve Zimmer Tues., May 16th, to LAUSD School Board On Tues, May 16th, Los Angeles voters –the caffeinated ones awake enough to know there is a monumental election underway— can resist a billionaire-backed hostile charter take over of the Los Angele
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Now It Will Get Real on McCleary Funding : Now It Will Get Real on McCleary Funding The Dems will be releasing their proposal for the budget, including McCleary funding, today at noon. It will be televised on TVW. Your Kids and Their Future by Melissa Westbrook / 42min I've read a couple of good articles over the last week that I wanted to share. There is a lot of
The problem with DeVos' education agenda - Baltimore Sun : The problem with DeVos' education agenda ewly confirmed Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos , a Michigan billionaire, has used her considerable wealth to promote charter school expansion in her home state for more than two decades. According to Politico, she and her husband have made over $2 million dollars in campaign contributions to sup
School choice supporters tout questionable data on charters | NC Policy Watch : School choice supporters tout questionable data on charters Charter schools in North Carolina are becomingly increasingly white and affluent. Those are two of the overriding conclusions derived from recent analysis of the state’s charter population by a variety of stakeholders. But a new set of numbers circulating amo
Mississippi Learning: Moving Beyond Betsy DeVos’ “School Choice” Trap – Capital & Main : Mississippi Learning: Moving Beyond Betsy DeVos’ “School Choice” Trap Like many Southern cities, Clinton, Mississippi, bears the scars of American slavery. A road cutting through the city’s center marks a key route used by slave traders in the decades before the Civil War. Signs across town tell the story of
Within integrated schools, de facto segregation persists - Baltimore Sun : Within integrated schools, de facto segregation persists They were classmates and best friends, and they both wanted to get into the 11th-grade Advanced Placement English class at Columbia's Hammond High School. Since meeting in summer school just before ninth grade, Mikey Peterson and Eli Sauerwalt had been through a lot
Malloy: State's Desegregation Efforts Depriving Children Of Quality Education - Hartford Courant : Malloy: State's Desegregation Efforts Depriving Children Of Quality Education Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said he has lost faith in Connecticut's nationally touted school-desegregation efforts and argued that Hartford students would be better served if the landmark Sheff v. O'Neill case returned to court
Liberals, Conservatives Agree: Big Mistake for White House to Push Private School Choice | Education News | US News : Liberals, Conservatives Agree: Big Mistake for White House to Push Private School Choice Having just sent a memo to the Democratic caucus Wednesday morning outlining a strategy to oppose the Trump administration’s plans to push private school choice, Sen. Patty Murray headed to th
California school districts increased spending on administrator pay faster than teacher pay | The Sacramento Bee : California school districts increased spending on administrator pay faster than teacher pay Every so often, “clackers,” as teachers at Hiram Johnson High call them, will visit Mary RodrÃguez’s class to watch her teach and make recommendations. These administrators, she said, wear sho
Remember 'Open Schools'? Probably Not, And Here's Why : NPR Ed : NPR : 'Open Schools' Made Noise In The '70s; Now They're Just Noisy It's a perennial debate in American education: Do kids learn best when they're sitting in rows at their desks? Or moving around, exploring on their own? Back in the 1960s and '70s, that debate led to a brand new school design: Small classrooms were out. Wide-open sp
How to Expose Racists: Simply Mention Racism | radical eyes for equity : How to Expose Racists: Simply Mention Racism I was pleasantly surprised when Education Week published Why Are We Criminalizing Black Students? by Tyrone C. Howard. Regretfully, this blog is gorged with posts about EdWeek routinely failing the education discussion, but Howard’s commentary confronts well a hard topic in educat
Paul Vallas again? Really? | Fred Klonsky : Paul Vallas again? Really? I have always believed there are two main reasons we in Illinois suffer from having Bruce Rauner as governor. Pat Quinn decided he was placed on this earth to cut public employee pensions. He picked Paul Vallas as his running mate. Quinn lost by a mere 70,000 votes statewide. I pin that tiny margin on pensions and Vallas. Vall
How the Nation’s Two Oldest School Voucher Programs Are Working: Part I—Wisconsin | janresseger : How the Nation’s Two Oldest School Voucher Programs Are Working: Part I—Wisconsin School voucher programs in Milwaukee and Cleveland are now over twenty-five years old. Now both states have expanded statewide what began as stand-alone, big-city programs, and last week, local newspapers in Milwaukee a
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES 'Move fast and break things...' : WEEKEND QUOTABLES 'Move fast and break things...' Bannon: "Move fast and break things" Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) “We have got to have the guts to take on the insurance companies and the drug companies and move forward toward a Medicare-for-all, single-payer program, And I’ll be introducing legislation shortly to do th
Technology “Disrupting” Journalism and Teaching (Part 1) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice : Technology “Disrupting” Journalism and Teaching (Part 1) Recently a few friends and I saw “All The President’s Men.” The 1976 film about the Watergate burglary in 1972, the subsequent cover up by the White House and eventual resignation of President Nixon in 1974 featured Dustin Hoffma
One to One Initiative Threatens Public Education | tultican : One to One Initiative Threatens Public Education One to one classroom agendas have a dark side that includes the destruction of public schools as we know them; where teachers and students interact. It’s a dystopian ideology that posits students earning education badges while working in isolation at a digital screen. This month, the ent
Chester Finn Laments Maryland’s Corporate Reform Resistance; Fails to Connect Common Core to Falling NAEP Scores | deutsch29 : Chester Finn Laments Maryland’s Corporate Reform Resistance; Fails to Connect Common Core to Falling NAEP Scores On March 22, 2017, former Fordham Institute President and current Maryland State Board of Education Vice President Chester Finn published an opinion piece for
NYC Public School Parents: It's not too late to opt out & more reasons to do so-- including to protect your child's privacy and deny them the data! : It's not too late to opt out & more reasons to do so-- including to protect your child's privacy and deny them the data! On Tuesday begin three days of state ELA exams for grades 3-8. Last year, about 265,000 NY students in these grades opted out --
Badass Teachers Association: The Case Against Crayons by Catherine Malley : The Case Against Crayons by Catherine Malley Crayons are illegal today; Classroom contraband, reeking of play. My box of new September crayons: Flawless, sharp tipped, begging to escape their yellow and green striped Crayola box. Each color was perfectly placed in the spectrum: red, maroon, scarlet, brick red and my favor
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 3/26/17 Featured Post STANDARDIZED TESTING BILL OF RIGHTS Seattle Schools Community Forum: What's Next for Seattle Schools? by mike simpson / 15min Seattle Schools