MORNING NEWS UPDATE: JANUARY 31, 2026
-
*MORNING NEWS UPDATE: JANUARY 31, 2026*
U.S. News
1. Partial federal government shutdown begins despite Senate approval of
a spending deal; t...
Stop Unwanted Charter Spread on Long Island
-
The State University of New York has approved applications for the Academy
Charter School chain to open schools in Brentwood and Central
Islip—ignoring c...
Summer Food Service Program Applications Open
-
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announces Summer Food Service Program
applications available February 1, applications due by May 15, 2026.
I try to answer the "So what?" question
-
Vouchers are unconstitutional, charter schools are failing, both cost
children in public schools about $3 billion and property taxes are out of
control. Wh...
Ice Storms, Icons, and the Trouble With Certainty
-
“I possess a device, in my pocket, that is capable of accessing the
entirety of information known to man. I use it to look at pictures of cats
and get into...
The Trump administration is immoral and unjust
-
The Trump administration is immoral and unjust. When we talk about
morality, we are also talking about justice. We are talking about rights,
duties, and...
Big Lies of Education: Miracle Schools
-
A companion to the education crisis Big Lie of education reform is the
education miracle. The list of media and political claims of “miracle” is
long since...
January’s Parent Engagement Resources
-
ChatGPT, cooking and Christopher Walken: how parents got their kids to love
reading in 2025 is from The Guardian. Teen use of AI chat bots is growing,
and ...
Seattle School Board Meeting, January 28, 2025
-
This meeting had two parts.
One was an update on SPS' efforts around protecting schools from any
federal intervention. Meaning, likely* ICE coming in a*...
Surviving “The Great Aggression”
-
Your parents and/or your grandparents lived through The Great Depression.
We are now living in “The Great Aggression,” an unprecedented assault on
our demo...
Trump Blinked First on DEI
-
For almost a year, schools, colleges, and universities across the country
lived under an extraordinary cloud of uncertainty. The Trump administration
did n...
STATE TERROR
-
STATE TERROR!With the murders of Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good, Keith
Porter, Silvero Villegas-Gonzalez, Jaime Alanís Garcia, and many more, ICE
is carryi...
The Fault Line in American politics?
-
I’ve spent a lot of time considering this graphic. IS education the fault
line in American politics? First shock: There are 33 states with
more-educated pe...
Exploring the Exciting World of Online Poker
-
Poker has long been considered the game of strategy, skill, and nerve, and
at EmilyTalmage.com, we bring this thrilling experience to the digital
world. Wh...
The Smart Phone Will Be ICE’s Undoing.
-
The ubiquity of smart phones can pose a real hassle to societal
functioning. Many businesses now post signs instructing customers to please
refrain from th...
Absolute MUST WATCH from David Jolly
-
the former Republican Congressman who is running for the Democratic
nomination for Governor of Florida.
The embedded video is just under 8 minutes.
Rick...
Ed Tech Digest
-
Ten years ago, in another somewhat futile attempt to reduce the backlog
of resources I want to share, I began this occasional “Ed Tech Digest” post
where...
Murder inc.
-
Another murder by ICE today! I watched the video and 7 ICE thugs had him on
the ground, one was punching him in the face as he was down then they shot
him ...
ICE Executes Another Citizen in Minneapolis
-
WARNING VIOLENT VIDEO: Federal Agents just shot and killed another person
in Minneapolis. Before the ICE/Homeland Security/White House LIES start
tumblin...
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...
2025: Because We Had To Do Something About It
-
Editor’s Note: Thanks again for being part of my community, particularly to
those who are paid subscribers. Your sponsorship of this space has allowed
me...
2025: Because We Had To Do Something About It
-
Editor’s Note: Thanks again for being part of my community, particularly to
those who are paid subscribers. Your sponsorship of this space has allowed
me...
Is The ‘Illustrative Math’ Curriculum Working?
-
One of the initiatives of former (and disgraced) Mayor Adams and of the
former (and disgraced) Chancellor Banks was a math plan called ‘NYC
Solves.’ As par...
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 ...
Missing digits puzzle
-
Can you find the missing digits? Could I have offered fewer digits (and
still have one solution?) could I spread the digits better? _ _ x _ _
________ 496 ...
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...
It Is Up to Us to Defend Democracy
-
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...
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 García
in her final keynote address to the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly and
it’s up...
The Passing Of Chaz 1951-2020 Age 69
-
I am the son of Chaz and like to inform you that he passed away this
afternoon from the COVID virus. My father passed in peace beside his loved
ones. We ar...
The Fight For Our Children
-
*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...
Learning & Brain Conference Alert! Making Kids “Happy” in “No-Excuses” Schools : Learning & Brain Conference Alert! Making Kids “Happy” in “No-Excuses” Schools Teaching children to be happy and resilient, to have grit, in a “changing and chaotic world,” and telling parents their children will now need skills “well beyond good test scores,” raises serious questions when you consider the no-excuses
Is LAUSD _Really_ Going Bust? – redqueeninla : Is LAUSD _Really_ Going Bust? All of the recent years for which final (“actual”) budget data are published show every single annual budget has finished in the black. This graph tracks the inflow of revenues (sum of dark and light grey bars), which have outpaced the outflow of expenditures (blue bar) in the LAUSD General Fund (GF) over the last eight
CPAG Meeting Notice and Agenda, April 2017 - California Practitioners Advisory Group (CA Dept of Education) : Joint Meeting of the California Practitioners Advisory Group and the State Board of Education AGENDA April 13, 2017 California Practitioners Advisory Group Members Jo Ann Isken, Chair Ed Manansala, Vice Chair Melissa Agudelo Jorge Aguilar Mariana Astorga-Almanza Ulises Garcia Carolina Her
Tell your California representative to support AB 1478 – Cloaking Inequity : Tell your California representative to support AB 1478 Should charters have open meetings? Should their data and information be readily available to the public? Should operators of non-profit charters be able to profit from their schools? If you your answers to these questions are Yes, Yes, and No. Then join in demanding
CURMUDGUCATION: Charterizing from Within : Charterizing from Within The next big threat to public education, the next big arm of the corporate privatizing octopus, is Competency-Based Education , formerly known as Outcome Based Education, sometimes known as Proficiency Based Learning, and often dressed up in a nice suit as Personalized Learning. Probably not going to end well It takes a whole sub
Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association video: What corporations have in store for public schools | Seattle Education : Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association video: What corporations have in store for public schools The third episode of PJSTA Live, in affiliation with Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association, deals with what corporate reformers see as the future of public education.
NYC Public School Parents: Update on state budget deadlock & College Board threat to student privacy : Update on state budget deadlock & College Board threat to student privacy 1. The NY state budget is stalled and will be late for the first time in years. The deadlock appears to be related to education funding for our public schools vs. charter schools, and whether the cap on charter schools wil
Can Educators Ignore Social Media Any Longer? | My Island View : Can Educators Ignore Social Media Any Longer? A lingering general question hanging over the heads of all has been what effect does social media have on our society? That answer has never been so evident as it has been today as social media tools have been placed directly in the hands of the President of the United States, as well as
CU Boulder hosting forum on standardized testing opt-out movement - Boulder Daily Camera : CU Boulder hosting forum on standardized testing opt-out movement Fairview High students, including, from left to right, Charlie Kolbrener, Haley Schusterman, Diana Edelman, Emma Boelts, Kiki Garthwaite and Tay Lotte, protest state tests outside the school in November 2014. ( Paul Aiken / Staff Photographer
Over Half of Americans Disapprove of Betsy DeVos | Truth in American Education : Over Half of Americans Disapprove of Betsy DeVos U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is even more unpopular than her boss President Donald Trump according to a new poll released by St. Leo University last week . A survey of 1,073 adults taken between March 3 and March 11, 2017 (+/- 3.0 percent MOE) showed that 51
Shanker Blog: Teacher Evaluations and Turnover in Houston | National Education Policy Center : Shanker Blog: Teacher Evaluations and Turnover in Houston We are now entering a time period in which we might start to see a lot of studies released about the impact of new teacher evaluations. This incredibly rapid policy shift, perhaps the centerpiece of the Obama Administration’s education efforts, w
U.S. Senate: Filibuster and Cloture : U.S. Senate: Filibuster and Cloture Using the filibuster to delay or block legislative action has a long history. The term filibuster -- from a Dutch word meaning "pirate" -- became popular in the 1850s, when it was applied to efforts to hold the Senate floor in order to prevent a vote on a bill. In the early years of Congress, representatives as well as sena
Breaking News - Malloy administration to destroy Connecticut’s historic community college system - Wait What? : Breaking News – Malloy administration to destroy Connecticut’s historic community college system For years Connecticut’s public colleges and universities have been the target of Governor Dannel Malloy’s draconian budget cuts. Year after year Malloy has approached funding Connecticut’s s
Private Companies Fund Public-University Research - The Atlantic : When For-Profit Companies Fund Public-University Research Can academic researchers remain impartial if they are beholden to corporate money? At the University of California, Davis, researchers are regularly invited to attend on-campus meet-and-greets with potential corporate funders to discuss possible sponsorship opportunities. H
Gorsuch’s Approval Would Put Vulnerable Students At Risk : Gorsuch’s Approval Would Put Vulnerable Students At Risk Students with disabilities already face a difficult path through our nation’s education system, but President Donald Trump appears determined to add to the disadvantages these students already face. His nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court is yet another sign his a
How far will California legislators go to attract teachers? : How far will California legislators go to attract teachers? A bipartisan group of Sacramento legislators are polishing up a bushel of apples, with bills intended to increase the number of teachers in California’s schools — and keep them from fleeing the state, or the profession entirely, a few years in. “If there’s not a whole lot of s
New Legislative Push for Charter School Accountability | UTLA : Bills would support Community Schools and hold charter operators to same standards as public schools Four new legislative bills that would bring much-needed accountability, transparency, and equity to charter schools were introduced in Sacramento this month. The legislation will be joined by an additional bill in coming weeks, formin
House Democrats ask Trump administration to remind schools that they must educate undocumented children - The Washington Post : House Democrats ask Trump administration to remind schools that they must educate undocumented children House Democrats are asking the Trump administration to send a clear message reminding the nation’s public schools that, despite recent changes in federal immigration e
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all : Monday Morning Latte with Diane Ravitch's blog A site to discuss better education for all Arizona: Legislators Want to Expand Vouchers, Despite Audit Showing Misspent Funds 4 by dianeravitch / 52min Arizona Republicans are renewing a drive to expand that state voucher program, despite a recent state audit reporting misspent funds
All Things Education: Podcast: Racial Disproportionality in Disciplinary Practices : Podcast: Racial Disproportionality in Disciplinary Practices A big topic in educational policy and practice right now is disparate disciplinary practices. Essentially, black students, especially males, and students with disabilities are subject to disproportionally high rates of exclusionary discipline practices
Memphis. Racism, violence, displacement and the riots of 1866. | Fred Klonsky : Memphis. Racism, violence, displacement and the riots of 1866. Anne and I are here in Memphis, enjoying what the city has to offer in great barbecue and blues. Last night we enjoyed both. I had the dry-rubbed brisket and we danced to Preston Shannon’s guitar while his band played 70s funk. He’s a local Memphis guy who
Education Law Prof Blog : Like Many Before Him, Trump Mistakes School Reform for School Improvement Rather than setting a new education agenda, the Trump administration is repeating the mistake of its predecessors. The administration promises to improve education through innovative reform while ignoring the basic building blocks of education: teachers and funding. The specifics are new—charter sc
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES : WEEKEND QUOTABLES “It is impossible to know where his presidency will lead or how much damage he will do to our nation.” -- LA Times Bernie Sanders "It wasn't that Donald Trump won the election, it was that the Democratic Party lost the election" -- CNN Editorial No one wants a return to Ohio's Wild West days when failing charter schools were pro
Badass Teachers Association: ABCs of LGBTQs by Kristi Jackson : ABCs of LGBTQs by Kristi Jackson While LGBT is still a popular term used to describe the queer community, it has grown to LGBTQQIP2SAA. For this reason, I will often simply use LGBT+ or LGBTQ+ in my writing as a way to be inclusive of everyone. But just what DO all of those letters stand for? L – Lesbian: Female identified person who
In Defense Of Our Dreams | The Jose Vilson : In Defense Of Our Dreams Testing season always feels like a surreal time-out from normal proceedings. Covered bulletin boards and gridded desk alignments make every classroom feel still, like an overextended ceremony of allegiance to standardized tests. Before they begin, a student asks me questions like “Why do you have to cover up your charts and boa
First Round of ESSA State Plans Are Due April 3rd to a USDOE Severely Lacking in Senior Officials | deutsch29 : First Round of ESSA State Plans Are Due April 3rd to a USDOE Severely Lacking in Senior Officials According to a March 13, 2017, letter that US ed sec Betsy DeVos sent to chief state school officers, states are able to submit their plans for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for two
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 4/2/17 Featured Post Help Florida Parents of Third Graders Fight for Their Children | Diane Ravitch's blog Lawyer who highlighted Hillary Clinton’s role in defending rape suspect tapped for key federal civil rights post - The Washington Post by mike simpson / 14min Lawyer