The ‘science of songwriting’ put to the test
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[image: Norman Music Festival 2026 songswriting]Long before words were sung
and chords were played on the 16 stages of this year’s Norman Music
Festival,...
Why MayDay : Robert Reich
-
Friends,
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders voted last Thursday on the Ellison
family’s purchase of the company. Some 1.743 billion shares were cast in...
The Testing Ritual and the Steakhouse Reality
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“This society hasn’t changed one bit. People who don’t fit into the village
are expelled: men who don’t hunt, women who don’t give birth to children.
For a...
It Needs to Be Enough
-
I used to keep a collection of styrofoam around the place, but over the
years I've disposed of it and not just because it takes up a lot of storage
spac...
The Push Against Screens in Schools Heats Up
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We Have to Get AI and Screens Out of Schools and Out of Kids' Hands by Jill
Filipovic
Not just to save their brains from the zombies of Big Tech, but ...
Rev. Andrew Guljas, C.S.C.
-
REV. ANDREW R. GULJAS, C.S.C. July 21, 1938 – April 20, 2026, Notre Dame,
Ind. – Rev. Andrew Roland Guljas, C.S.C., 87, died on April 20, 2026, at
Holy C...
Here Comes Another Privatization Group
-
Meet Schools for America. Well, more to the point, watch out for Schools
for America.
This group was launched just a month or so ago. And despite the echo ...
The Secret Behind School Boards Buying Technologies
-
Too often, neither research findings nor evaluation data including test
scores guide most major policy decisions. Political and practical reasons
do. Consi...
Dante Alighieri, May I Introduce Donald J. Trump?
-
Although the Italian poet Dante Alighieri completed “The Divine Comedy ”
more than 800 years ago, the story of the journey through Hell and
Purgatory into ...
Read and Learn from the Past
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I just finished reading “The Boys in the Light” by Nina Willner. This is a
wonderful World War II story of survival, faith, and brotherhood. I highly
recom...
I Write the Songs
-
As a music educator, I was always interested in having my students create
music, a goal that gets a lot of lip service in the profession (including
being o...
April’s Parent Engagement Resources
-
‘Easy, Positive, and Judgment Free.’ How Families Can Support Their
Children is one of my Ed Week posts. Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences
That Build Fami...
Problems with the DOE’s AI Guidance
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April 25, 2026 This one-page summary is also posted as a pdf here. The DOE
deadline for feedback is May 8, 2026 via their survey at
on.nyc.gov/AiFeedbackN...
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
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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
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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...
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...
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...
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...
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
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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 ...
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
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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
-
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
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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
-
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
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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
-
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...
'We Must All Stand Together': NEA Honors Top Educators : ‘We Must All Stand Together’: NEA Honors Top Educators 2017 National Teacher of the Year Sydney Chaffee and 2017 Education Support Professional of the Year Saul Ramos. (Photos: Calvin Knight, Scott Iskowitz) On a day that spotlighted how NEA members advance professional practice, the more than 7,000 delegates to the 2017 NEA Representative
Teachers union leader: We won’t work with Trump and DeVos because ‘I do not trust their motives’ - The Washington Post : Teachers union leader: We won’t work with Trump and DeVos because ‘I do not trust their motives’ The president of the country’s largest labor union, Lily Eskelsen GarcÃa of the National Education Association, told delegates at her organization’s annual gathering that they would
Charter Schools Not Performing Better Than Traditional in Detroit, Florida, Georgia : Reminder: Education Is Not a Damn Marketplace And charter schools are not working. Here's a debate I'd like to see pursued vigorously within the Democratic Party. (Hey, everybody else gets to complain about this, why not me?) Resolved: No matter how noble the original motives, public school "reform" as pursued b
Seattle Teacher’s Response to DeVos Anti-Science Crusade | Seattle Education : Seattle Teacher’s Response to DeVos Anti-Science Crusade This article was originally published in The Progressive. Trump and Devos Ignore Science, but This High School Teacher and His Students Embrace It The announcement on June 1 by President Donald Trump that he will withdraw the United States from the Paris climate
Charter School Lotteries – Why Most Families Don’t Even Apply | gadflyonthewallblog : Charter School Lotteries – Why Most Families Don’t Even Apply Who gets to enroll in your school? This question is at the heart of the charter school debate . While traditional public schools have to accept any student who meets residency requirements, charter schools can be entirely more selective. They don’t ha
CURMUDGUCATION: Wasting Tax Dollars on Advertising : Wasting Tax Dollars on Advertising Charter fans like to say that charters will improve public education by pushing public schools to compete. Here's a story that proves them half right-- some public schools apparently feel compelled to compete, but not in ways that have anything to do with educational quality. The public school system of Bethle
What can turn the teachers' union around? | SocialistWorker.org : What can turn the teachers' union around? Michael Mochaidean, a public school teacher in West Virginia, provides his view on the direction for the union after its strategy for the 2016 elections failed completely. Public school teachers rally against "right to work" legislation in West Virginia (West Virginia Education Association
Dallas School Reform Debate Shakes up Liberals and Conservative | Dallas Observer : Can't Tell Liberals from Conservatives in Dallas School Reform Debate The school reform issue ought to split up conservatives as badly as it does liberals. But it doesn’t. I can’t figure that out. No matter which side looks at it, school reform turns on the same fundamental question: Can a poor, minority kid from
Are We Witnessing the End of Public Education as We Know It? — Part Two : Are We Witnessing the End of Public Education as We Know It? — Part Two As I wrote last week, these are dire times for public education. With Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education leading the charge for big budget cuts, charter schools, and a radical privatization agenda, the possibility that free quality public education f
The NEA RA. Random thoughts. | Fred Klonsky : The NEA RA. Random thoughts As a delegate to the 2011 NEA RA surrounded by my friends in leadership. Mike Antonucci, NEA union gadfly and reporter for his blog, is having a great time being banned from the press section of the Boston RA. Look. It was a dopey move by the leadership. I’m thinking Mike is loving it. Antonucci makes note of the irony in a
UT-Austin study: Student bullying costs districts millions - Houston Chronicle : UT-Austin study: Student bullying costs districts millions Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin found evidence to suggest school districts could be losing out on millions of dollars in funding due to the bullying of students. The researchers used survey data from California to estimate that school distr
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all : You are the Future Diane Ravitch's blog A site to discuss better education for all This High School Adopted (De)personalized Education for All, Thanks to Laurene Powell Jobs 4 by dianeravitch / 1h A California public high school received a grant of $10 million from Laurene Powell Jobs to redesign itself. Guess what? They have gon
TEACHER VOICE: Raising the bar on high school diplomas slams the doors on the weakest students - The Hechinger Report : TEACHER VOICE: Raising the bar on high school diplomas slams the doors on the weakest students A Maine teacher of struggling readers expresses her concern for the state’s disenfranchised Who isn’t in favor of high standards? The recent three-part series on proficiency-based lear
Votes coming on teacher tenure, for-profit charters, other key bills | EdSource : Votes coming on teacher tenure, for-profit charters, other key bills Between now and July 21, when they take a month off, state legislators will have to decide the fate of bills that passed one chamber of the Legislature and await action in the other. Among those are key education bills that would lengthen teacher p
“I make the trains run on time,” says Rahm. | Fred Klonsky : “I make the trains run on time,” says Rahm No sooner had I pushed the publish button on my post about the stalled negotiations between the Mayor, the CTA and the transit workers union than I opened up the New York Times to find Mayor Rahm echoing the words of the Italian fascist, Benito Mussolini. “In Chicago, the trains actually run on
On Global Teacher Prize Winner Maggie Macdonnell and What Humility Looks Like | The Jose Vilson : ON GLOBAL TEACHER PRIZE WINNER MAGGIE MACDONNELL AND WHAT HUMILITY LOOKS LIKE We met at a fancy hotel on Central Park South, a place that most native New Yorkers scurry past before they get priced out of the sidewalk. Whenever I meet teachers that gain acclaim on a macro-level, I always ask two quest
California school leaders fear GOP cuts to Medicaid could harm special education | 89.3 KPCC : California school leaders fear GOP cuts to Medicaid could harm special education California education officials are sounding the alarm over Congressional Republicans' proposed health care overhaul bills, saying changes to Medicaid could leave the state or school districts scrambling to pay for critical
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES : WEEKEND QUOTABLES Ken Franklin Ken Franklin, Pres. of Local 308, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) [Transportation workers] are like the vessels in the heart. We feed the economic engine of the cities. That allows hundreds of thousands of businesses to operate and gives the people in the cities a way of life. -- Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothe
KIPP Houston and Its “Etc.” Fees | deutsch29 : KIPP Houston and Its “Etc.” Fees On June 29, 2017, the Houston Chronicle carried a story entitled, “KIPP Schools Charged Unallowable Fees, State Agency Finds.” KIPP stands for Knowledge is Power Program– ironic given that the primary point of the article is that some parents who even advocated for Texas’ KIPP charter schools discovered that they had
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 7/2/17 Featured Post Joan Kramer's Story - The War Report NEA President to Representative Assembly: We Have the Power... and They Know It by mike simpson / 4h NEA President to