Higher Education in the Crosshairs/at a Crossroad
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Let me begin with an assertion that may upset some readers: Most American
colleges and universities are glorified vocational institutions whose
primary pur...
This and That, September 3, 2025
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Feelings are mixed in The Seattle Times' comment section on this headline:
*Seattle students return to school, whether they want to or not: ‘I don’t
want...
RFK Jr. Testifies Before Congressional Committee
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We have not forgotten that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promised Republican
Senator (and medical doctor) Bill Cassidy that he would not impose his past
anti-vacci...
Protecting Teacher Tom
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I typically sit on the sign-in table near the front gate as the children in
our afternoon class convene on the playground. This gives me a chance to
gre...
Privatized Education Disaster in New Orleans
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By Thomas Ultican 9/3/2025 August 29th was the twentieth anniversary of
hurricane Katrina wiping out New Orleans. On this occasion, the billionaire
funded ...
Drones In Schools
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School surveillance continues to be a growth industry, maybe because
students don't have a lobby and some adults curl up every time someone
says, "But it's...
Why Adults Still Dream About School (Kelly Conaboy)
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“Kelly Conaboy is a writer based in New York. Her work has appeared
in Gawker, The Awl, and The New Yorker.” This article appeared in The
Atlantic, Septemb...
Is there really a decline in pleasure reading?
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The mainstream media has been full of the bad news: new study shows that
reading for pleasure has declined! Fewer people are reading for fun: From
2003 to ...
A Look Back: Compasses Or Road Maps?
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For the next several months, each day I’ll be republishing a post from the
past that I think readers might still find useful. I’m starting from the
beginn...
I'm Afraid of Americans
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Traveling to Canada to see Nine Inch Nails in Vancouver, I was
subconsciously aware of our President’s poor treatment of our friend and
ally to the north...
SBE Meeting for September 2025
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Agenda and other related materials for the California State Board of
Education (SBE) meeting on September 10-11, 2025.
Is There Really a Decline in Pleasure Reading?
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The mainstream media has been full of the bad news: new study shows that
reading for pleasure has declined! Fewer people are reading for fun: From
2003 to ...
Last call for ARC readers: Addicted to Glove
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"Major League" meets "Ted Lasso" with a hint of "Three Men and a Baby" in
this age gap, surprise pregnancy romcom set in the Pacific Northwest.
THIS IS IMPORTANT
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\ DEMS NEED TO PUT HOLDS ON ALL PEOPLE NOMINATED AS REPLACEMENTS FOR THE
FLAG OFFICERS BEING FIRED.. YES I AM SCREAMING. REPLACEMENT WILL BE WILLING
TO U...
Exceptional Delaware Hero of the Month: Bob Vacca
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For all you have done just in August of 2025, you, Bob Vacca, are the
Exceptional Delaware Hero of August, 2025. Bob is the Chief Financial
Officer of the ...
Rows and Aisles (DC and Washington, Too)
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DC is one of my favorite cities in the country. That’s different than me
saying Washington, of course. I’ve visited Washington on multiple occasions
in ....
Rows and Aisles (DC and Washington, Too)
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DC is one of my favorite cities in the country. That’s different than me
saying Washington, of course. I’ve visited Washington on multiple occasions
in ....
The Story of the Rider and the Horse
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History shows us there is a fast and slippery road from the loss of
freedoms to the overreach of power. If we allow our rights to be stripped
away, we lose...
Analyzing UFT election results – from 2022
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JD2718 blog posts from May and June 2022. Post-UFT election for the last
two decades I have done some analysis of the numbers. I am getting ready to
start ...
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...
Trump plays Putin’s Playbook
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Recently Aleksander Dugin was interviewed on CNN, last week, and he stated
that he believes Trump is closer ideologically to President Putin than to
Washin...
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...
Site Index - Updated December 31, 2024
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When I was teaching,
I got tired of hearing how bad American educators were.
*My Promise *
WHEN I STARTED BLOGGING IN 2011, I said I planned to speak ...
Number 18 — A barely-hanging-on Blogoversary
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Blogoversary #18 SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 I started this blog while I was still
teaching, in 2006. I had just begun my 31st year as an educator. Just like
in pre...
Student "Growth" Measures Are STILL Biased
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This caught my attention:
New Jersey school districts may soon be evaluated differently, *with a
greater emphasis on student growth* as compared to stud...
AIN’T IT AWFUL
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As the terrible feelings of dread and angst spread across the world the
great majority of the American people feel powerless before the onslaught
of those ...
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
...
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 GarcÃa
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...
My First and Last Visit to Hudson Yards
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Figuring I did not need to invite any more darkness and vulgarity into my
head than that provided on a daily basis from Trump’s White House, and
after read...
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.
Blockchain: Life on the Ledger
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Originally posted on Wrench in the Gears:
I created this video as a follow up to the one I prepared last year on
Social Impact Bonds. It is time to examine...
New Local Businesses in Sacramento
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Starting a new local business in Sacramento is a monumental task, but can
be accomplished with footwork, perseverance and knowledge. One must learn
the loc...
Lesson Plan: Rhyme and Rhythm in Poetry
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I’ve started a recent unit on poetry with my class. I’m not a poet, and I’m
not a poetry fan (I don’t hate it, but I’m a prose gal), so this makes it
harde...
The Apotheosis of Betsy DeVos
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Betsy Devos has drawn few headlines in recent months, and that is a good
thing for the Secretary of Education. Her tenure began with Vice President
Mike P...
Education Is a Civic Question
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In their final post to end Bridging Differences' decade-long run, Deborah
Meier and Harry Boyte urge readers to put the energy, talents, wisdom, and
hard w...
Site News: New Home for Education News & Commentary
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Quick! Get over there! The daily education news roundup and education
commentaries that you're probably looking for are now being published over
at The Gra...
Should We Be Grateful?
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In an odd turn of events, and with little explanation, Michigan Governor
Rick Snyder has decided to return the state’s School Reform Office back to
the Dep...
An Open Letter to NC Lawmakers
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An Open Letter to NC State Lawmakers and NC State Superintendent Mark
Johnson: I am a NC native, voter, and public school teacher. I am
addressing you all ...
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My Next Bestseller)
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The Secret to Fixing Schools (My next bestseller) Prologue I just finished
watching a fascinating documentary on Netflix entitled, “The Secret”. The
film p...
Farewell, Sleep
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Today is the official last day of my spring break. I've done a scientific
survey: My natural bedtime is 2 AM, and my natural wake up time is 9:41
AM. Tom...
REPORT: States With the Best and Worst Schools
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States With the Best (and Worst)Schools
By *Evan Comen, Michael B. Sauter, Samuel Stebbins and Thomas C. Frohlich*
January 20, 2017- http://247wallst.com
...
Test Refusal = People Power
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In recent months, social media has been ablaze with talk of regular folk
taking action to resist the Trump agenda. Protests are a daily occurrence,
and ev...
Random Musings and Observations. . . .
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I’ve been gone a while from the blogging scene. Some of my more regular
readers no doubt noticed but did not hassle me about it. Thank you for
that. Sinc...
AB 934: A LEGISLATIVE FIX FOR VERGARA?
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By Michael Stratford | in the Politco Morning Education Report | via email
05/24/2016 10:00 AM EDT :: Two national education groups are backing a
Califor...
MY NEW BLOG
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My new blog will consist of fictitious headlines, meant to be a blend of
humor and satire. I apologize ahead of time if any other satirical site has
simila...
Thank you
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Dear Readers,
Thank you for visiting *The Perimeter Primate*. This blog is being retired
for the time being. Although I no longer post here, I do still s...
I am Retiring
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I have some news: I am retiring from the PBS NewsHour and Learning Matters.
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other
conte...
New Beginnings: Kickstarter and EdWeek Teacher
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Greetings to InterACT readers one and all! If you’ve been following posts
here recently you might recall that I’m moving my blogging activity to
other loca...
Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School
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*“With Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School closing, Newark families must
move on.”* The Star-Ledger (NJ), 6/25/2013
NEWARK — Bobby and Troy Shanks saw the...
This Is Probably A Good Time To Learn (& Teach) About The Work Of Stacey Abrams & Her Colleagues – Here’s A Good Start | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=114596 on @Larryferlazzo
ACTION ALERT: Delaware Superintendents & Boards MUST NOT Send Students & Staff Into Hybrid Learning Next Monday | Exceptional Delaware - https://wp.me/p4JboV-5KH via @ExcptlDelaware
Connecticut will become the first state to require high schools to offer Black and Latino studies in fall 2022 | KNBR-AF - https://www.knbr.com/?p=819583
Answer Sheet: What Public Education Advocates Want to See in Biden’s Pick to Succeed Betsy DeVos | National Education Policy Center - https://nepc.colorado.edu/node/10684 on @NEPCtweet
Why Are Schools Opening When Covid-19 is Surging? Why Are Schools Opening When Covid-19 is Surging? It has become a cruel joke. Shut everything down! Stay home! Cancel the holidays! Close everything! But open schools! Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious diseases expert, told Americans to stay home throughout the holiday season, avoid groups, wash hands, wear masks, and stay so
State’s Poor Pandemic Response Takes Toll on Teachers – Tennessee Education Report RESPONSE TAKES TOLL ON TEACHERS The Tennessee Education Association (TEA) today released the results of a statewide survey of teachers regarding the experience of teaching during the pandemic. According to the report, 74% of teachers rated the state’s handling of the issues surrounding schools and COVID-19 as “poor
The Lives They Lived (personal edition) COVID-19 was responsible for the deaths of hundreds and hundreds of teachers in 2020 , enough alone to make the year an ‘annus horribilis,’ to borrow Queen Elizabeth II’s phrase. But the world of education also lost Ruth Bader Ginsburg, John Lewis, Sir Ken Robinson, Jim Lehrer and Les Crystal of the PBS NewsHour, the Reverend Darius L. Swann, David K. Cohe
NewBlackMan (in Exile) NewBlackMan (in Exile) TODAY Big Education Ape: THIS WEEK WITH NEWBLACKMAN (IN EXILE) - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/01/this-week-with-newblackman-in-exile-blm.html Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. on Season 7 of 'Finding Your Roots' by Mark Anthony Neal / 2min 'Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. joins CBS This Morning to discuss his popular PBS series, "Fin
Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 Big Education Ape: THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007 - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/01/this-week-in-education-larry-ferlazzos.html This Is Probably A Good Time To Learn (& Teach) About The Work Of Stacey Abr
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all DID YOU MISS DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG TODAY? A site to discuss better education for all Big Education Ape: KEEP UP/ CATCH UP WITH DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG A site to discuss better education for all -
Some Questions for 2021 If you are reading this, you might know me. And if you know me, you know I can ask questions that are not really questions. That’s not these. Real questions for the New Year (in the order in which I expect us to learn the answers) November – January: How will the national elections turn out? January 5 – what happens in the Georgia Senate runoffs? 2 Republicans, 2 Democrat
USING DATA AND RESEARCH TO UNLEARN CHAIT’S FALSE OPINION ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS In this blog I respond to Chait’s grossly unfounded opinions in the New York Magazine article entitled Unlearning an Answer with data, peer reviewed research and by highlighting the work of scholars who have conducted extensive research about charter schools. I will also recognize when the predominance of the research
What Do We Know about Our Next Education Secretary, Dr. Miguel Cardona? Today Congress will meet to certify the electoral college vote and confirm Joe Biden as our next president. Biden’s election guarantees Betsy DeVos’s exit as Secretary of Education. It looks as though, by nominating Dr. Miguel Cardona, currently Connecticut’s state Commissioner of Education, President-Elect Biden has fulfill
Thinking Beyond Bean Dad: A Reader First, Bean Dad (as he would become known) posted a Twitter thread about teaching his daughter a lesson. The thread was flippant, snarky—and about a child not knowing how to use a can opener. I was, frankly, surprised that Bean Dad took a beating on this because his approach to his child is essentially the foundational belief system in the U.S. about child rear
John Ewing: “Learning Loss” is an Absurd Concept John Ewing, president of Math for America, skewers the concept of “learning loss” in this article in Forbes. I have been a fan of Dr. Ewing ever since I read his article “Mathematical Intimidation: Driven by the Data,” in which he eviscerated the idiotic idea of rating students by the test scores of their students. If you have not read it, you sho
Isn't This Belittling to Children? There was an old hamster wheel in our classroom. Most of the children had no idea what it was, but it was nevertheless an endlessly popular plaything. Someone was forever spinning it or turning it upside down to roll on the floor or otherwise employing it in their games. Over the years, I saw it used as a part of block castles, as a bulldozer in the sensory tab
Desperation, Thy Name Is De Blasio In the face of an exploding epidemic, and in the face of a new more virulent strain, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio has decided that quarantine needs to be cut rather than extended. The mayor just decided that rather than quarantine for 14 days, as recommended by CDC, he will cut it to ten, because they said it was allowable. It's remarkable in this day and age to fi
About Teachers4OpenSchools You may have run across a shiny new group on line that is agitating for teachers to be back in the classroom-- Teachers4OpenSchools . The arguments are the usual ones, from the legitimate concern about mental health to the learning loss baloney. There's not much of anything new here, and not the kind of balance we find in a piece like this one . But I'm always curious
A TEACHER’S PREDICTIONS FOR 2021 Some of these predictions are educated guesses that I hope don’t come true, and some may be pipe dreams. Check them out, let me know which ones are off-base, and share your own! You can see the predictions I’ve made in previous years at the end of this post. *The new stimulus package will be a much-needed boost for schools. However, it won’t be sufficient to deal
Poor leadership is destroying the district I want to acknowledge that being a superintendent is undoubtedly a hard job, and the powers that be in Florida often work to undermine public education. That being said, I can’t imagine a superintendent doing worse than Greene. Her leadership is just plain bad, and don’t take my word for it, take the Times Unions. The indifference to the pandemic. Addin
Big Education Ape THE TOP BANANA TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Education Research Report: Addressing COVID-19’s Disruption of Student Assessment - http://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/ Trump