Merry Christmas to All!
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Wherever you are, I wish you a very Merry Christmas. I wish you happiness,
joy, and many reasons to smile in the year ahead. I don’t know about you,
but I ...
Some Christmas Tunery
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Here at the Institute (where the Board of Directors still firmly believe in
Santa Claus), we like our seasonal music, both as consumers and as
producers,...
Finding Light in Winter by Mary Pipher
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The mornings are dark, the late afternoons are dusky, and before we finish
making dinner, the daylight is gone. As we approach the darkest days of the
ye...
Last Minute Gift Ideas!
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We've been bombarded with "last minute" gift idea promotions since at least
mid-November, but now, finally, the last minute is truly upon us. As a
publi...
Cartoons about the Holiday Season
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Here are some cartoons that got me to smile about this time of year. I hope
they will do the same for you. Happy holidays to all of my readers. Enjoy!
HAIRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAIRY HANUKKAH TOO!
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*HAIRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAIRY HANUKKAH TOO!*
* The Big Hairy Education Ape Spreads Holiday Cheer! Ah, December! The time
of year when the air tur...
About the Social Security Fairness Act
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On December 21, 2024, the US Senate passed the Social Security Fairness
Act, otherwise known as HR 82, a bill that restores full Social Security
benefits t...
Apologies to Dan Alicea
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I want to truly apologize to Daniel Alicea. On November 30, Dan wrote a
blog post about how, despite millions of dollars being available, Mulgrew
refused...
The 2024 NPE “Coal in the Stocking” Awards
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At NPE, we know who is naughty and nice when it comes to supporting our
public schools and their students.
The post The 2024 NPE “Coal in the Stocking” A...
Big Lies of Education: Grade Retention
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The Big Lie of grade retention in the US is that it is often hidden within
larger reading legislation and policy, notably since the 2010s: Westall and
Cumm...
Juntos lo haremos
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En el año que viene, tendremos que tomar decisiones difíciles sobre quienes
queremos ser en cada comunidad y como nación. Ha sido un año muy intenso.
Desde...
WTF, Democratic Caucus?
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Why is the failure of this current budget bill being blamed on Republicans
when almost every single Democrat voted against it? If only half of the
Dems had...
Peace through Beauty
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I am and always have been more musical than I have been verbal. I have
always found beauty in sound. Often it can be purely instrumental, such as
playing...
San Diego School Board Election Outcomes
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By Thomas Ultican 12/17/2024 Before the recent election, I wrote
recommendations for several school board seats in San Diego County. The San
Diego County R...
SPI Supports SB 48 to Keep ICE Off School Campuses
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State Superintendent Tony Thurmond sponsors Senate Bill 48 to keep
Immigration and Customs Enforcement off of school campuses, protecting
school attendance...
Schrödinger’s Cat
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Schrödinger’s cat is a famous thought experiment in which the renowned
scientist pondered how a cat in a closed box could be thought of as
simultaneously a...
In Memoriam: Nikki Giovanni
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The literary and cultural world has lost an irreplaceable voice with the
passing of Nikki Giovanni. As one of the most celebrated poets and
activists of ou...
Education Has Failed and What Can We Do Next?
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Education has failed to prepare children for the world today. Despite the
increased investment, impactful reforms, hardworking teachers and school
leaders,...
Defining Productivity, Cost, and Efficiency
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Recycled material here… The central problem with US public schools is often
characterized as an efficiency problem. We spend a lot and don’t get much
for i...
November Parent Engagement Resources
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Greeting a family in their preferred language is a small gesture that
demonstrates respect and eagerness to connect with parents. Creating a
Welcoming Envi...
Try Substack?
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Seems like the popular new thing. Here’s my first try – it’s about
yesterday’s UFT Retired Teachers Chapter meeting – first ever not run by
Unity. (Spoiler...
Number 18 — A barely-hanging-on Blogoversary
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Blogoversary #18 SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 I started this blog while I was still
teaching, in 2006. I had just begun my 31st year as an educator. Just like
in pre...
Student "Growth" Measures Are STILL Biased
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This caught my attention:
New Jersey school districts may soon be evaluated differently, *with a
greater emphasis on student growth* as compared to stud...
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 ...
The Sky is Falling, or is it?
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Well, this is the first anniversary of the introduction of Generative AI in
the form of ChatGPT to the world of education. Before it was a week old,
over o...
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...
Metaphors in ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech
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In this article, we will explore the powerful use of metaphors in Martin
Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” ...
Read more
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
...
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 García
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...
Keeping Progressive Schools Alive
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Dear Friends and Colleagues, Happy New Year and a special thanks to those
who respond to past blogs about choice, et al. I always mean to respond to
each c...
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...
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...
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.
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
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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
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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...
Lawyer who highlighted Hillary Clinton’s role in defending rape suspect tapped for key federal civil rights post - The Washington Post : Lawyer who highlighted Hillary Clinton’s role in defending rape suspect tapped for key federal civil rights post Then-candidate Donald Trump sits with Kathy Shelton, right, and Juanita Broaddrick in a hotel conference room in St. Louis shortly before the second
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Money Matters : Money Matters SPS The cancelled Work Session on the 2017-2018 budget is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, April 3rd from 5:30-7:00 pm at JSCEE. (Immediately preceding it is the Curriculum & Instruction Policy committee meeting from 4:00-5:30 pm. Agenda .) McCleary Remember that Crosscut article that pointed out that the Senate GOP numbers were off? T
Dear Rhode Island: That April Fools Day Blended Learning Conference is no joke! – Wrench in the Gears : Dear Rhode Island: That April Fools Day Blended Learning Conference is no joke! Competency-based education’s march through New England continues. In the fall it was Massachusetts with its fanfare around MAPLE (Massachusetts Personalized Learning Ed-Tech Consortium), and now on April Fools Day t
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Underenrolled Schools Taking It On the Chin: Why? : Underenrolled Schools Taking It On the Chin: Why? News about underenrolled schools in several regions of the district (plus one update at the end of the thread on high schools). From the Madrona K-8 PTA : Dear Superintendent Nyland- We at Madrona K-8 have been struggling with enrollment issues for years. Enrollme
Quick Education Voter’s Guide to the California CD34 Race, April 4, 2017 : Quick Education Voter’s Guide to the California CD34 Race, April 4, 2017 Republish Reprint There are twenty-three candidates running to fill former Congressman Xavier Bacerra’s seat in Congressional District 34 in Southern California. (Bacerra is currently the state’s Attorney General, replacing Kamala Harris, who, after N
CURMUDGUCATION: MN: Vergara III: The Attack on Tenure Continues : MN: Vergara III: The Attack on Tenure Continues You probably remember the Vergara lawsuit, the California suit that was intended to destroy teacher tenure. You may even remember that a sequel was filed in New York . The Vergara suit was simply beaten. The New York suit turned into a circus, starting with competition to see who coul
A Transgender Student Won Her Battle. Now It’s War. - The New York Times : A Transgender Student Won Her Battle. Now It’s War. After one transgender student’s victory at a high school district near Chicago, more cases are in the wings, including that of a transgender girl, above, identified as N.S., who has filed a discrimination complaint with the state. Credit Sally Ryan for The New York Times
Teachers, Teachers Unions, and the Charter School War Part 3 : Teachers, Teachers Unions, and the Charter School War Part 3 Pleas e join Internet radio host Dr. James Avington Miller Jr. for the third part of the War Report's examination of our teachers, our teacher unions, and the charter school war. The show will start with charters and lead t o our 21st Century nightmare of corporate formed pu
When PBS Sold Airtime to Bill Gates to Promote the Common Core | Diane Ravitch's blog : When PBS Sold Airtime to Bill Gates to Promote the Common Core After I posted the story about the forthcoming PBS Series called School Inc. , which promotes privatization, reflecting the views of the privatization movement, I shared the story with investigative journalist David Sirota. He recalled the time tha
WHO PROFITS AND PAYS FOR RAMPANT AGE DISCRIMINATION? - Perdaily.com : WHO PROFITS AND PAYS FOR RAMPANT AGE DISCRIMINATION? In watching a recent 60 Minutes program on how the H1B visa is being used to get rid of an older and more expensive professional American work force in favor of imported workers, whose best "skill" is that they will work for a fraction of the salary and benefits of their pres
BustED Pencils Trending News: Hold the Rigor and Pass the Play. | BustED Pencils : BustED Pencils Trending News: Hold the Rigor and Pass the Play So called “ kindergarten readiness” has transformed American early childhood education into a disaster zone where “rigor” and “ academics ” rule the day. Why? Because as a nation we’re delusional at best and intentional at worst. Delusional because we a
Help Florida Parents of Third Graders Fight for Their Children | Diane Ravitch's blog : Help Florida Parents of Third Graders Fight for Their Children I just contributed $200 to this just cause. If we crowd source our support, parents in Florida can fight the unjust law that prevents their children from advancing to fourth grade unless they take and pass the state test. Children who opt out will
Black Parents Explain--How to Deal with the Police: Arriell & Antjuan | NewBlackMan (in Exile) : Black Parents Explain--How to Deal with the Police: Arriell & Antjuan Pragmatic and maddening at the same time; Daughter and Father talk engagement with law enforcement. -- +WatchCut Video Black Parents Explain--How to Deal with the Police: Arriell & Antjuan | NewBlackMan (in Exile) :
Is An Ed Wonk’s Dream for Education Reform Really a Nightmare? – Missouri Education Watchdog : Is An Ed Wonk’s Dream for Education Reform Really a Nightmare? In case you missed it yesterday, here is the latest edition of Fordham Institute’s April Fool’s articles celebrating #fakenews in education reform. Michael Petrilli reveals every ed reformer’s dream (becoming the Secretary of the Department
CURMUDGUCATION: Supreme Court Rules on IEPs : Supreme Court Rules on IEPs The Supreme Court has ruled on the case of Endrew F. vs. Douglas County School District , a case that gave the Supremes a chance to rule on just how much education is "enough. " The case was brought by the parents of Endrew F., an autistic student whose education was, according to his parents, not nearly enough. But Douglas
The Rainfall Follows The Plow | Blue Cereal Education : The Rainfall Follows The Plow I don’t know if this is a particularly good poem, but it’s certainly an educational one – if not in the way its author intended. The idea that otherwise cruel nature would have little choice but to respond favorably to man’s determined labor was neither original nor entirely faith-based. Nineteenth century Ameri
Charter Leaders Take A Weak Stand Against DeVos | Gary Rubinstein's Blog : Charter Leaders Take A Weak Stand Against DeVos An editorial ran in USA Today recently penned by three CEOs of ‘high performing’ Charter Chains, Achievement First, KIPP, and Uncommon Schools. It ran under the title ‘Mr. Trump, Don’t boost our budget while cutting education: Charter school CEOs.’ In the new budget despite m
“Ignoreland” Realized: Trumplandia 2017 | radical eyes for equity : “Ignoreland” Realized: Trumplandia 2017 Bertis Downs, lawyer and everything-man for Athens-based group R.E.M. , asked on social media what Automatic for the People song is most under-appreciated. As this album approaches its 25-year anniversary—and in the weakening wake of the band calling it a day—we may be hard pressed to argue
CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: April Is No Fool Edition (4/2) : ICYMI: April Is No Fool Edition (4/2) Keep reading. Keep sharing. I keep meeting people who say things like, "Boy, I wish I could blog about this stuff, but I just don't have the time/confidence/typing skills/etc." But you can take the things that you read and which make sense to you, and you can pass them on. Share what should be shared. Sp
Russ on Reading: Defending Public Education from Trump's Tyranny : Defending Public Education from Trump's Tyranny Last week on his show, Real Time, Bill Maher introduced the Yale professor and author, Timothy Snyder, whose new book is entitled, On Tyranny. The book outlines 20 lessons we can learn from the rise of fascism and communism in the 20th century to make sure the same does not happen to
NYC Educator: Chalkbeat NY--From Reforminess to White Supremacy : Chalkbeat NY--From Reforminess to White Supremacy Chalkbeat NY has been showing its colors for years now, but has managed to reach a new low. That's not easy. I once wrote for them , back when they were Gotham Schools, and was subject to the most brutal editing process I've ever experienced. (I found this curious because there was
Why Are There So Few Films and TV Programs That Capture the Daily Work and Life of Teachers In and Out of School? (Part 3) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice : Why Are There So Few Films and TV Programs That Capture the Daily Work and Life of Teachers In and Out of School? (Part 3) Hollywood and network television have filmed cop shows, lawyer series, and doctor programs again
Badass Teachers Association : Trump’s Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch Denies Education for Some Disabled Children. Gorsuch Then Misrepresents Why at a Senate Hearing By John C. Fager Neil Gorsuch, a George W. Bush appointee to the Tenth Circuit federal appeals court and now President Trump’s first appointee to the United States Supreme Court, in 2008 wrote a decision, Luke P. v. Thompson Schoo
Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Annual "Who Can Wear What" Discussion : The Annual "Who Can Wear What" Discussion There were two stories in the news around the clothing that girls are choosing to wear. (And I hope everyone sees that I'm leaving the comments section up.) The first story - very widely publicized- came from an incident last weekend where girls traveling with an adult who works
Alison McDowell – What Silicon Valley Has Planned for Public Education | Poetic Justice : Alison McDowell – What Silicon Valley Has Planned for Public Education This is really hard to watch but every teacher, parent, and grandparent needs to watch this through to the end. The truth of what has been going on in public education, what is happening now in public education, and what is planned for th
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 4/1/17 Featured Post Fool Me If U Can..Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all With anti-accountability lawsuit targeting journalist, parent, Portland schools gets it