Reading Boring Books
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EdWeek just ran a long complaint about assigning boring books in English
class, carrying some extra heft because it came from a school district
superintend...
Reading Boring Books
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EdWeek just ran a long complaint about assigning boring books in English
class, carrying some extra heft because it came from a school district
superintend...
Why America Must Rewrite Charter School Laws Now
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Research shows charter school laws enable mismanagement, profiteering, and
instability at the expense of students and taxpayers.
The post Why America Mus...
MORNING NEWS UPDATE: JANUARY 31, 2026
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*MORNING NEWS UPDATE: JANUARY 31, 2026*
U.S. News
1. Partial federal government shutdown begins despite Senate approval of
a spending deal; t...
Summer Food Service Program Applications Open
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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
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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
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“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...
January’s Parent Engagement Resources
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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
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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”
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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...
STATE TERROR
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STATE TERROR!With the murders of Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good, Keith
Porter, Silvero Villegas-Gonzalez, Jaime AlanĂs Garcia, and many more, ICE
is carryi...
The Fault Line in American politics?
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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Although I am neither an historian nor a psychologist, I know enough
American history to know that Trump’s demand that Greenland capitulate to
his desire...
2025: Because We Had To Do Something About It
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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
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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?
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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
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Ten years ago, I ran for a seat on the LAUSD School Board of Education with
the goal to *Change the LAUSD*.
I am proud of the campaign we ran. We achieve...
A colleague looks back at 2025
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Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more I get knocked down But I get
up again BETSY WOLF DEC 31READ IN APP I’ve been quiet for most of 2025.
Much of ...
Missing digits puzzle
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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
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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...
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...
This Is What Democracy Looks Like
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The polls for Prop 50, CA’s ballot initiative that counters MAGA’s illegal
gerry-mandering in Texas, opened Tuesday, November 4, 2025,…
The post This Is ...
Blogoversary #19 — Time to Move on
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Times have changed. I had a nice long run here, but let’s face it, it ended
a while ago. So I’ve moved. I’m not writing much any more, but when I do it
wil...
Il Papa è Morto
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Francis brought a distinct pastoral outlook to his papacy. A simple man, he
lived in a small apartment in the guesthouse. He sought to make the church
acce...
Mike Shulman the ARISE UFT Judenrat
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I was surprised to learn that Mike Shulman has aligned himself with ARISE.
I previously supported him, advocating that the Castle Doctrine could have
bee...
How Do We Fight Trump?
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Dear Friends, I don’t know when and why it hit me. But I suddenly realized
how serious Trump is about changing the country into something that
horrifies. I...
AIN’T IT AWFUL
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As the terrible feelings of dread and angst spread across the world the
great majority of the American people feel powerless before the onslaught
of those ...
Vote NO on the UFT Contract. Here is Why:
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The best reason to vote no on this contract is this: UFT Unity* lied* to us
in 2018. They misrepresented that contract. It was predicated on deals we
wer...
Testimony to the CPS Truancy Task Force
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I prepared testimony for one of two public hearings held by the Chicago
Public Schools Truancy Task Force, a body mandated by state legislation.
The meetin...
There Is A Teacher Shortage.Not.
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THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE. And just to be sure you understand, it’s not
that teachers don’t want to teach. It’s not that there aren’t enough
teachers cer...
Book Banning Turns to Dick and Jane
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Breaking News: Dateline February 4, 2022 - Parents in Dimwitty, Alabama
have asked the Dimwitty Board of Education to ban the children's primer *Fun
with...
Have You Heard Has a New Website
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TweetHave You Heard has a new website. Visit us at
www.haveyouheardpodcast.com to find our latest episodes and our entire
archive. And be sure to check out...
Follow me at Substack
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I've moved. Follow me at Substack
I'm now posting regularly at Substack. You can subscribe for free to my new
Edu/Pol blog at michaelklonsky.substack.com
...
I’ve moved.
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I’m on Substack now. You can continue to receive periodic posts for free.
Or you can read every post and comment for $5 a month, $60 a year.
fredklonsky.su...
Aspiring Teachers Get New Help Paying For College
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[image: colorful classroom pattern]
*; Credit: shuoshu/Getty Images*
Cory Turner | NPR
New rules kick in today that will help aspiring teachers pay for c...
Tips Akses Situs Judi Qq Tanpa Perlu Takut Nawala
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Kegiatan berjudi slot melalui situs judi qq online, sekarang sudah
dilakukan oleh banyak penjudi Indonesia. Tentu, Kamu yang sedang membaca
artikel ini a...
The Threat of Integration
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I have lived in the same house in the Miracle Mile section of Los Angeles
for over 30 years, where up until now I have had little or no interaction
with th...
We fight for a democracy worthy of us all!
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The nation stands at a crossroads, said NEA President Lily Eskelsen GarcĂa
in her final keynote address to the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly and
it’s up...
The Passing Of Chaz 1951-2020 Age 69
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I am the son of Chaz and like to inform you that he passed away this
afternoon from the COVID virus. My father passed in peace beside his loved
ones. We ar...
The Fight For Our Children
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*The number of suicides among people ages 10 to 24 nationally increased by
56 percent between 2007 and 2017, according to a new federal report showing
the ...
Read to Self: Just a Kid and a Book.
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Date: Monday, January 5, 2020 Place: My classroom Student: Mrs.Mims, could
we start doing Read to Self again because I got this great book for
Christmas an...
Reminiscences
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I just finished dumping the rest of my lesson plans. I guess I held on to
the calculus ones for so long because I spent so much time working on them
an...
Just Asking for some Teachers I know.
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Recently Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers stated, We must … recognize that
part of supporting our kids in the classroom means supporting the educators
who t...
Cara Menang Bermain Judi Bola Online
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Bermain judi bola online tentu saja memiliki kesenangannya tersendiri baik
itu mendapatkan keuntungan maupun ketika menantikan hasil skor pada sebuah
perta...
A Critique of Standards-Based Grading
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It first happened to me about ten years ago. I was beginning my third year
of teaching in a new school in Washington, DC. Social studies teachers were
si...
Reduced time for testing? Not so fast.
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NYSED and Commish Elia continue to say that the NYS Assessments are of
reasonable length, I completely disagree.
Here is what NYSED states are average expe...
The World According to Michelle Rhee
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The men behind the curtain fashioning the brave new world of corporate run
education in America! Michelle Rhee is the founder of StudentsFirst, The
New T...
Whose Opinions Matter in Education World?
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It's hard to identify education heroes and sheroes. And perhaps even harder
to pinpoint just whose work is slanted, paid-for and dishonest.
New Local Businesses in Sacramento
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Starting a new local business in Sacramento is a monumental task, but can
be accomplished with footwork, perseverance and knowledge. One must learn
the loc...
Lesson Plan: Rhyme and Rhythm in Poetry
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I’ve started a recent unit on poetry with my class. I’m not a poet, and I’m
not a poetry fan (I don’t hate it, but I’m a prose gal), so this makes it
harde...
The Apotheosis of Betsy DeVos
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Betsy Devos has drawn few headlines in recent months, and that is a good
thing for the Secretary of Education. Her tenure began with Vice President
Mike P...
Education Is a Civic Question
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In their final post to end Bridging Differences' decade-long run, Deborah
Meier and Harry Boyte urge readers to put the energy, talents, wisdom, and
hard w...
Site News: New Home for Education News & Commentary
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Quick! Get over there! The daily education news roundup and education
commentaries that you're probably looking for are now being published over
at The Gra...
Should We Be Grateful?
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In an odd turn of events, and with little explanation, Michigan Governor
Rick Snyder has decided to return the state’s School Reform Office back to
the Dep...
An Open Letter to NC Lawmakers
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An Open Letter to NC State Lawmakers and NC State Superintendent Mark
Johnson: I am a NC native, voter, and public school teacher. I am
addressing you all ...
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My Next Bestseller)
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The Secret to Fixing Schools (My next bestseller) Prologue I just finished
watching a fascinating documentary on Netflix entitled, “The Secret”. The
film p...
Farewell, Sleep
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Today is the official last day of my spring break. I've done a scientific
survey: My natural bedtime is 2 AM, and my natural wake up time is 9:41
AM. Tom...
REPORT: States With the Best and Worst Schools
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States With the Best (and Worst)Schools
By *Evan Comen, Michael B. Sauter, Samuel Stebbins and Thomas C. Frohlich*
January 20, 2017- http://247wallst.com
...
Test Refusal = People Power
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In recent months, social media has been ablaze with talk of regular folk
taking action to resist the Trump agenda. Protests are a daily occurrence,
and ev...
Random Musings and Observations. . . .
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I’ve been gone a while from the blogging scene. Some of my more regular
readers no doubt noticed but did not hassle me about it. Thank you for
that. Sinc...
AB 934: A LEGISLATIVE FIX FOR VERGARA?
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By Michael Stratford | in the Politco Morning Education Report | via email
05/24/2016 10:00 AM EDT :: Two national education groups are backing a
Califor...
MY NEW BLOG
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My new blog will consist of fictitious headlines, meant to be a blend of
humor and satire. I apologize ahead of time if any other satirical site has
simila...
Thank you
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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...
Testing for Wisdom? | Truth in American Education : Testing for Wisdom? I noticed an article in Scientific American entitled “ Is the U.S. Education System Producing a Society of Smart Fools? ” They interviewed Cornell University psychologist Robert Sternberg who annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science they said sounded the alarm about standardized testing. He addressed proble
Torlakson Announces CA Schools Mobile App Release - Year 2017 (CA Dept of Education) : State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces Release of CA Schools Mobile App SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced the release of the California Department of Education’s (CDE) first mobile application that offers detailed information about California’s 10,000 publi
Commencement speaker warns graduates: ‘You are entering a low social esteem, often thankless, profession’ - The Washington Post : Commencement speaker warns graduates: ‘You are entering a low social esteem, often thankless, profession’ UNLESS YOU BECOME A BADASS TEACHER Badass Teacher (BAT) Association WELCOME TO THE BAT CAVE Badass Teacher Association Web Site BATs (@badassteachersa) • Instagram
Remade Pile of Words: Will ‘conscious’ charters fail? – Cloaking Inequity : Remade Pile of Words: Will ‘conscious’ charters fail? About this time 16 years ago I was sitting on the lawn listen to Professor Ray McDermott talk about the work of bees in a hive and the application of their activity to education. It was a PERFECT spring graduate school course. Well, in that course, McDermott also used
Why should the federal government support high-quality early education? - The Washington Post : Why should the federal government support high-quality early education? Every year the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, releases a report on state-funded prekindergarten programs in the United States. It is the only national report with det
EWA2017: “Nation’s Education Reporters Confident They’re Making a Difference” – Missouri Education Watchdog : EWA2017: “Nation’s Education Reporters Confident They’re Making a Difference” Is the Job of an Education Reporter to Learn How to Write PR Instead of the Facts? Philanthropists, NGOs and EdReformers Hope So. The Education Writers Association (EWA) is the invitation only event for writers
Several states moving to expand age kids must be in school - ABC News : Several states moving to expand age kids must be in school A dozen states are trying to keep children in school longer, from making kindergarten mandatory to raising the legal drop-out age. But it's not an easy sell. Nevada is among the states this year that have or are considering proposals to stretch the compulsory attendan
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all : Moan-day Diane Ravitch's blog A site to discuss better education for all New Jersey: Over-Testing is Hurting the Children It is Supposed to Help 4 by dianeravitch / 1h From a teacher in New Jersey: Testing Frenzy Steals Learning Time from Students The public school testing frenzy is at an all-time high, and it is robbing our stud
Schools Matter: Chavous, Personalized Learning, and Real Indy Voices : Chavous, Personalized Learning, and Real Indy Voices Hoosier School Heist TV is Doug Martin's channel featuring videos of his book tour across Indiana speaking on the corporate takeover of public education. Order Hoosier School Heist at http://hoosierschoolheist.com/. Follow Hoosier School Heist on Facebook: https://www.facebo
Plan to outlaw for-profit charters hits online ed too :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet : Plan to outlaw for-profit charters hits online ed too (Calif.) Legislation aimed at prohibiting for-profit charter schools from operating in California would likely also disrupt educational services to about 25,000 students pursuing online independent study.
Torlakson Urges to Fight Against Childhood Obesity - Year 2017 (CA Dept of Education) : State Schools Chief Torlakson Speaks at Childhood Obesity Prevention Conference SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on Friday told educators and school nutrition officials at a major conference to keep fighting against childhood obesity and urged them to oppose President Trump’s
A new marker of success at graduation: The seal of biliteracy - The Washington Post : A new marker of success at graduation: The seal of biliteracy Max Moss started studying Spanish in sixth grade and never stopped. He learned to speak the language, read it and understand conversations. By the time he hit 12th grade, he knew enough to recite 13th century poetry and write his senior thesis in Span
TEACHER VOICE: Trump wants to axe the program that allowed me to serve my country and its highest-need children - The Hechinger Report : TEACHER VOICE: Trump wants to axe the program that allowed me to serve my country and its highest-need children A Denver teacher worries about the proposed defunding of national service programs I wish my teacher knew I don’t have a friend to play with me,” a st
Grantmaking | Schott Foundation for Public Education : Learn more about the Schott Foundation for Public Education's Work. The Schott Foundation’s core belief is that a broad-based grassroots movement is central to creating the systemic change that is needed to address the disparities poor children and children of color face in our nation’s public education system. Click here to view our current
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES : WEEKEND QUOTABLES Art by: Furia ACK, a street artist from Portugal living in London. Betsy DeVos When reporters kept asking her about her own climate-change views, she responded: “Certainly, the climate changes. Yes.” -- Washington Post Chris Baehrend, president of ChiACTS on CTU merger "What it does is it helps all Chicago teachers fight togethe
I Only Do This Because You're Doing Well [Stop Asking Me About Your Grades] | The Jose Vilson : I ONLY DO THIS BECAUSE YOU’RE DOING WELL [STOP ASKING ME ABOUT YOUR GRADES] Not a day goes by when a student asks me how they’re doing in class. My teaching days have about three guarantees: a student will ask to go to the restroom when they already asked in their previous classes, a student will ask w
About the SCOTUS Blog | deutsch29 : About the SCOTUS Blog This post is a public service announcement of sorts. I was doing some research on the SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) case, Trinity Lutheran vs. Comer , and I wondered whether my readers know about the SCOTUS blog and other SCOTUS online resources. Yes, the Supreme Court has a blog called the SCOTUS blog. It has a search featur
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 6/4/17 Featured Post Parents outraged by LGBTQ page in high school yearbook / Queerty Mitchell Robinson: Some unpopular thoughts on teacher evaluation | Eclectablog by mike simpson /