McMahon Doesn't Understand Education
-
McMahon's particular brand of passionless functionary was on display Sunday
morning for a dozen minutes with Dana Bash. The interview kicked around a
few t...
This and That, August 24, 2026
-
I meant to post this sooner - this event is tomorrow night, the 25th.
I am hearing that Governor Bob Ferguson and State Superintendent Chris
Reykdal ...
Spider-Man Lands a Punch: Fist to Cheese
-
The classic line from the Spider-Man show was, “Lookout! Here comes the
Spider-Man.” And so, Spider-Man punched a white supremacist. Fist to
cheese. For so...
Not Vanquished
-
I was once engaged in a massive battle for the ages, pitting my powers
against those of a five-year-old boy.
It began when he declared that he was going...
MNPS and Not-So-Secret Secrets
-
Nashville education blogger TC Weber highlights what some say are
significant challenges around student discipline in MNPS. It is one of the
worst-kept sec...
No Compromise: End the War Now!
-
At this hour, solidarity begins with a clear demand: the United States and
Israel must end their illegal war, and they must retreat.
Understanding Education: Corporal Punishment
-
15 states have laws that allow corporal punishment in schools. Here’s
where, and why, Katie Mills (NPR, 19 August 2026) Recommended Summary
Physical punish...
We Love Billionaires!
-
As a middle school teacher, I spent a fair amount of time talking with
kids—mostly 8th graders, going into high school—about what you might call
their life...
What Is the Far Left ?
-
What is the Far Left ?
The growing visibility of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and
victories by some DSA-backed candidates has triggered an upsu...
SPI Welcomes Salinas Students Back to Campus
-
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond
welcomes Salinas students back to campus and celebrates community schools.
Under the Lights, the Truth Is Harder to Hide
-
“The problem is that progress stopped making sense. More and more of us
looked up one day and realized that the emperor had no clothes.” ― Anna
Lowenhaupt ...
SQ 844: How is this better?
-
In plain terms, the new language gives the Legislature the authority to
establish both the amount and methodology for distributing ad valorem
reimbursement...
-
It's time to Revise Louisiana's
School Curriculum
Present standards do not allow for individual differences and life goals
For the last 15 years Louisiana'...
Read This If You Want to Learn to Read
-
I want you to experience how a skilled teacher makes certain that her first
graders learn to read. Imagine that you’re sitting in the back of a
classroom...
What’s the Pattern?
-
The Pattern. Is it the thing that holds our raises down? Yup. What
precisely is it? Activists and advocates know it is a problem. That’s good.
They are rig...
Time to change our Nation’s Diaper
-
It’s time to change our nation’s diaper. Our national identity now reeks
due to our inability to clean out the mess caused by the Orange Turd.
Corruption i...
GLP-1 Meds for Kids? Some Info.
-
Like many consumers of television and social media, I have been bombarded
with ads for GLP-1s (short for glucagon-like peptide-1). The ads are
everywhere. ...
By One Dishonest Measure
-
A loaded question that education reformers like to ponder is: Exactly how
many students in the boroughs of New York City are trapped in failing
schools? In...
1776
-
__________
“The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and
conduct of this army…. We have, therefore, resolved to conquer...
May’s Parent Engagement Resources
-
San Diego Unified Created a System to ‘Empower’ Parents. It Unraveled is
from The Voice of San Diego. Why Those Disengaged Parents in Your School
Deserve a...
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...
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...
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...
AIN’T IT AWFUL
-
As the terrible feelings of dread and angst spread across the world the
great majority of the American people feel powerless before the onslaught
of those ...
Vote NO on the UFT Contract. Here is Why:
-
The best reason to vote no on this contract is this: UFT Unity* lied* to us
in 2018. They misrepresented that contract. It was predicated on deals we
wer...
Testimony to the CPS Truancy Task Force
-
I prepared testimony for one of two public hearings held by the Chicago
Public Schools Truancy Task Force, a body mandated by state legislation.
The meetin...
There Is A Teacher Shortage.Not.
-
THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE. And just to be sure you understand, it’s not
that teachers don’t want to teach. It’s not that there aren’t enough
teachers cer...
Book Banning Turns to Dick and Jane
-
Breaking News: Dateline February 4, 2022 - Parents in Dimwitty, Alabama
have asked the Dimwitty Board of Education to ban the children's primer *Fun
with...
Have You Heard Has a New Website
-
TweetHave You Heard has a new website. Visit us at
www.haveyouheardpodcast.com to find our latest episodes and our entire
archive. And be sure to check out...
Follow me at Substack
-
I've moved. Follow me at Substack
I'm now posting regularly at Substack. You can subscribe for free to my new
Edu/Pol blog at michaelklonsky.substack.com
...
I’ve moved.
-
I’m on Substack now. You can continue to receive periodic posts for free.
Or you can read every post and comment for $5 a month, $60 a year.
fredklonsky.su...
Aspiring Teachers Get New Help Paying For College
-
[image: colorful classroom pattern]
*; Credit: shuoshu/Getty Images*
Cory Turner | NPR
New rules kick in today that will help aspiring teachers pay for c...
Tips Akses Situs Judi Qq Tanpa Perlu Takut Nawala
-
Kegiatan berjudi slot melalui situs judi qq online, sekarang sudah
dilakukan oleh banyak penjudi Indonesia. Tentu, Kamu yang sedang membaca
artikel ini a...
The Threat of Integration
-
I have lived in the same house in the Miracle Mile section of Los Angeles
for over 30 years, where up until now I have had little or no interaction
with th...
We fight for a democracy worthy of us all!
-
The nation stands at a crossroads, said NEA President Lily Eskelsen GarcÃa
in her final keynote address to the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly and
it’s up...
The Passing Of Chaz 1951-2020 Age 69
-
I am the son of Chaz and like to inform you that he passed away this
afternoon from the COVID virus. My father passed in peace beside his loved
ones. We ar...
The Fight For Our Children
-
*The number of suicides among people ages 10 to 24 nationally increased by
56 percent between 2007 and 2017, according to a new federal report showing
the ...
Read to Self: Just a Kid and a Book.
-
Date: Monday, January 5, 2020 Place: My classroom Student: Mrs.Mims, could
we start doing Read to Self again because I got this great book for
Christmas an...
Reminiscences
-
I just finished dumping the rest of my lesson plans. I guess I held on to
the calculus ones for so long because I spent so much time working on them
an...
Just Asking for some Teachers I know.
-
Recently Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers stated, We must … recognize that
part of supporting our kids in the classroom means supporting the educators
who t...
Cara Menang Bermain Judi Bola Online
-
Bermain judi bola online tentu saja memiliki kesenangannya tersendiri baik
itu mendapatkan keuntungan maupun ketika menantikan hasil skor pada sebuah
perta...
A Critique of Standards-Based Grading
-
It first happened to me about ten years ago. I was beginning my third year
of teaching in a new school in Washington, DC. Social studies teachers were
si...
Reduced time for testing? Not so fast.
-
NYSED and Commish Elia continue to say that the NYS Assessments are of
reasonable length, I completely disagree.
Here is what NYSED states are average expe...
The World According to Michelle Rhee
-
The men behind the curtain fashioning the brave new world of corporate run
education in America! Michelle Rhee is the founder of StudentsFirst, The
New T...
Whose Opinions Matter in Education World?
-
It's hard to identify education heroes and sheroes. And perhaps even harder
to pinpoint just whose work is slanted, paid-for and dishonest.
New Local Businesses in Sacramento
-
Starting a new local business in Sacramento is a monumental task, but can
be accomplished with footwork, perseverance and knowledge. One must learn
the loc...
Lesson Plan: Rhyme and Rhythm in Poetry
-
I’ve started a recent unit on poetry with my class. I’m not a poet, and I’m
not a poetry fan (I don’t hate it, but I’m a prose gal), so this makes it
harde...
The Apotheosis of Betsy DeVos
-
Betsy Devos has drawn few headlines in recent months, and that is a good
thing for the Secretary of Education. Her tenure began with Vice President
Mike P...
Education Is a Civic Question
-
In their final post to end Bridging Differences' decade-long run, Deborah
Meier and Harry Boyte urge readers to put the energy, talents, wisdom, and
hard w...
Site News: New Home for Education News & Commentary
-
Quick! Get over there! The daily education news roundup and education
commentaries that you're probably looking for are now being published over
at The Gra...
Should We Be Grateful?
-
In an odd turn of events, and with little explanation, Michigan Governor
Rick Snyder has decided to return the state’s School Reform Office back to
the Dep...
An Open Letter to NC Lawmakers
-
An Open Letter to NC State Lawmakers and NC State Superintendent Mark
Johnson: I am a NC native, voter, and public school teacher. I am
addressing you all ...
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My Next Bestseller)
-
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My next bestseller) Prologue I just finished
watching a fascinating documentary on Netflix entitled, “The Secret”. The
film p...
Farewell, Sleep
-
Today is the official last day of my spring break. I've done a scientific
survey: My natural bedtime is 2 AM, and my natural wake up time is 9:41
AM. Tom...
REPORT: States With the Best and Worst Schools
-
States With the Best (and Worst)Schools
By *Evan Comen, Michael B. Sauter, Samuel Stebbins and Thomas C. Frohlich*
January 20, 2017- http://247wallst.com
...
Test Refusal = People Power
-
In recent months, social media has been ablaze with talk of regular folk
taking action to resist the Trump agenda. Protests are a daily occurrence,
and ev...
Random Musings and Observations. . . .
-
I’ve been gone a while from the blogging scene. Some of my more regular
readers no doubt noticed but did not hassle me about it. Thank you for
that. Sinc...
AB 934: A LEGISLATIVE FIX FOR VERGARA?
-
By Michael Stratford | in the Politco Morning Education Report | via email
05/24/2016 10:00 AM EDT :: Two national education groups are backing a
Califor...
MY NEW BLOG
-
My new blog will consist of fictitious headlines, meant to be a blend of
humor and satire. I apologize ahead of time if any other satirical site has
simila...
Thank you
-
Dear Readers,
Thank you for visiting *The Perimeter Primate*. This blog is being retired
for the time being. Although I no longer post here, I do still s...
I am Retiring
-
I have some news: I am retiring from the PBS NewsHour and Learning Matters.
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other
conte...
New Beginnings: Kickstarter and EdWeek Teacher
-
Greetings to InterACT readers one and all! If you’ve been following posts
here recently you might recall that I’m moving my blogging activity to
other loca...
Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School
-
*“With Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School closing, Newark families must
move on.”* The Star-Ledger (NJ), 6/25/2013
NEWARK — Bobby and Troy Shanks saw the...
Seattle educators demand justice for Charleena Lyles; pledge to rally and wear “Black Lives Matter” shirts to school on Tuesday | I AM AN EDUCATOR : Seattle educators demand justice for Charleena Lyles; pledge to rally and wear “Black Lives Matter” shirts to school on Tuesday Seattle educators demand justice for Charleena Lyles; pledge to wear “Black Lives Matter” shirts to school on Tuesday, joi
American Teachers Slam Israel’s Classroom Ban On Political Opinions – The Forward : American Teachers Slam Israel’s Classroom Ban On Political Opinions NEW YORK ( JTA ) — The heads of the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors jointly condemned a law proposed by Israel’s education minister that would bar the expression of political views in classroom
CURMUDGUCATION: PA: Islamophobes, Real Estate, and Scam Artists : PA: Islamophobes, Real Estate, and Scam Artists I'll tell you right up front that this story raises more questions than it answers, but many of them are questions about just what comes through the door when you invite privatization in, and others are questions about how people react when they discover what an open door actually mea
The Best Way to Thank Your Child's Teacher - Teacher Habits : The Best Way to Thank Your Child’s Teacher School is out for the year in most places. Teachers are sleeping in. Parents have arranged for child care. Students are spinning fidgets or playing video games or getting in my way at the zoo (I don’t really know what students do with their free time anymore. I used to watch Matlock in the sum
NYC Public School Parents: Arne Duncan still arguing for mayoral control -- when the trend is in the opposite direction : Arne Duncan still arguing for mayoral control -- when the trend is in the opposite direction In the Sunday Daily News , former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan argued for the extension of Mayoral control. The official legislative session is supposed to end Wednesday and Mayo
Mom shaming or constructive criticism? Perspectives of mothers | National Poll on Children’s Health : Mom shaming or constructive criticism? Perspectives of mothers Mothers of young children face numerous parenting decisions, starting with choices about infant feeding methods and sleep position, to daily decisions about toddler diet, discipline and health/safety. Some mothers have a support syste
How to Go the Resistance Distance: Pop-Up Schools for Novice Activists : How to Go the Resistance Distance: Pop-Up Schools for Novice Activists Modeled after the civil rights era’s citizenship and freedom schools, the new Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership teaches skills for the Trump era. This post originally appeared at Yes! Magazine . More than 200 people crammed into a meetin
Genius | Teach for America Tricks Young People into Being Scabs | Benjamin Studebaker : Teach for America Tricks Young People into Being Scabs Last month, we talked about how and creating a massive teacher shortage as good teachers defected to neighboring states and fewer Hoosiers elected to go into education. Today I want to talk about the pivotal role programs likes Teach for America play in ai
A Free-Market Failure In The Heartland | HuffPost : A Free-Market Failure In The Heartland Trickle down economics didn’t work in Kansas. It never has. Not anywhere. It was every supply-side economist’s dream: the promise of achieving economic nirvana by slashing taxes for the wealthy and corporations, and shrinking government. Except it became a nightmare for the people of Kansas, and now the Kan
Confederate monuments, real heroes and Fathers Day. | Fred Klonsky : Confederate monuments, real heroes and Fathers Day My Dad’s house on Howard Avenue in Brooklyn with Lucy. Fathers Day was a day with our kids, grandkids and friends at Belmont Race Track in New York. I was sure that Cosi Bella was the horse to put my hopes on in the 7th. My hopes were dashed. Cosi Bella finished out of the money
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES : WEEKEND QUOTABLES ‘Taking action is the best cure for despair.’ Rebecca Solnit A crisis, says one dictionary, is “the point in the progress of a disease when a change takes place which is decisive of recovery or death; also, any marked or sudden change of symptoms, etc.” This crisis could be the death or the recovery of a more democratic, more in
An Evidence-Based Indictment of Inaction | LucidWitness.com : An Evidence-Based Indictment of Inaction …Children’s lives hang in the balance As edited at WHYY / NewsWorks here : Powerful and surprisingly prevalent horrors are blocking access to education and ravaging children’s lives. Sadly, they remain “the elephant in the classroom”: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ACEs include physical,
Intersections and Disjunctures: Scholars, Teachers, and Writers | radical eyes for equity : Intersections and Disjunctures: Scholars, Teachers, and Writers Discussing scholars as writers, Michael C. Munger explains , “We train people in methods, and theory, but we don’t tell them that writing is something you have to practice.” And that practice, Munger argues, must be “like you exercise: at leas
Teacher shortage restricts training of new instructors :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Teacher shortage restricts training of new instructors (Calif.) With districts forced to rely on higher numbers of non-fully credentialed teachers to staff classrooms, educator preparation programs are finding fewer placements for student teachers who require the mentorship of fully credentialed instruc
DeVos breaks ranks with GOP, wants changes in ESSA plan :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet : DeVos breaks ranks with GOP, wants changes in ESSA plan (District of Columbia) In a muddled if not contrarian response to a state plan for implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act, the U.S. Department of Education has suggested, among other things, that
Education department still weighing fate of 11 poorly rated charter sponsors : Education department still weighing fate of 11 poorly rated charter sponsors When the state rated 21 Ohio charter-school sponsors as “poor” in October, those sponsors were to permanently lose their authority to oversee charter schools. Eight months later, with this year’s evaluations about to begin again, the Ohio Depa
Baltimore teachers launch first-ever campaign to stem tide of enrollment decline - Baltimore Sun : Baltimore teachers launch first-ever campaign to stem tide of enrollment decline aced with a shrinking student population and decreased state funding, Baltimore teachers are launching a city-wide enrollment drive. The teachers union has enlisted its members for a five-week campaign starting Monday e
Indiana Christian school at center of LGBT voucher debate - ABC News : Indiana Christian school at center of LGBT voucher debate The Lighthouse Christian Academy promises to provide an exemplary education, a caring atmosphere and service to God — but not for everyone. The school says in its admissions brochure that it reserves the right to deny admission to LGBT students because their lifestyle i
Oregon ranked best in country for educating homeless students | OregonLive.com : Oregon ranked best in country for educating homeless students Homeless children in Oregon have a better chance of succeeding in school than their counterparts in any other state, according to a new ranking released Friday. The report by the New York City-based Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness found th
TEACHER VOICE: “I realized that my education had occurred within a racist system that privileged Eurocentric achievements” - The Hechinger Report : TEACHER VOICE: “I realized that my education had occurred within a racist system that privileged Eurocentric achievements” National Teacher of the Year’s Boston-area battle to level the playing field Sydney Chaffee: National Charter School Teacher of
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all : Rush Hour Diane Ravitch's blog A site to discuss better education for all Gary Rubinstein: What TFA Tells New Recruits About “the System” 2 by dianeravitch / 20min Gary Rubinstein received a training film that Teach for America uses to prepare new recruits during their five-week preparation period for teaching. He found it very d
Managing Crowds: ClassDojo (Part 2) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice : Managing Crowds: ClassDojo (Part 2) ClassDojo is a recently-developed software platform (2011) that, according to the founders of the company, is used in 90 percent of schools in the U.S (see here ). In the past five years, however, ClassDojo has become much more than a free digital tool to motivate studen
NYC Educator: FMPR Stands Tall in the Bronx : FMPR Stands Tall in the Bronx If you've been following the news about Puerto Rico, even a little bit, you know it's in an economic mess. They're 72 billion dollars in debt, and controlled by a board that pretty much doesn't give a crap about the people who live there. Pensions have been eliminated for most public workers. Though teachers have somehow
A Charter School Violates Student Privacy to Shame Parents Into Volunteering : A Charter School Violates Student Privacy to Shame Parents Into Volunteering When work is required, it’s not voluntary. It’s wrong and unlawful to punish a child for what his or her parents can’t or won’t do. ” – Hilary Hammell, Public Advocates attorney In return for their receipt of public funding, charter organizati
Badass Teachers Association: The Role of a School Board Member by Gregory Sampson : The Role of a School Board Member by Gregory Sampson Stone Eggs: Thoughts about world events, education, and theology Originally Posted at: http://stoneeggs.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-role-of-school-board-member.html The Role of a School Board Member This morning brings news from California that a school board membe
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 6/18/17 Featured Post Florida leads the states who are testing worksite charter schools for company kids Rethinking the parent-teacher conference: Meeting more often, working as a team - The