FROM HOMEROOM TO HYSTERIA: HOW MAGA POLITICAL CONFLICT IS RUINING HIGH SCHOOL

FROM HOMEROOM TO HYSTERIA: HOW MAGA POLITICAL CONFLICT IS RUINING HIGH SCHOOL

It's no secret that the political climate in the United States is a bit tense right now. But did you know that this tension has seeped its way into our public schools? That's right, folks, MAGA madness has officially come to our classrooms.

According to a recent report by John Rogers and Joseph Kahne, political conflicts have had a chilling effect on public education. But let's be real, what's more chilling than a bunch of high schoolers arguing about politics? It's like watching a bunch of baby goats try to headbutt each other. Hilarious, yet slightly concerning.

The report found that principals in politically diverse communities (aka "purple districts") face the most challenges when it comes to addressing controversial issues. They're more likely to experience political pressure from parents, community members, and district officials. And let's be honest, no one wants to deal with Karen from PTA when she's on a mission.

But it's not just purple districts that are feeling the heat. Principals in politically homogeneous communities (aka "blue or red districts") are also facing their own set of challenges. They're more likely to encounter misinformation and disinformation among students and families. And let's face it, teenagers believing everything they read on the internet is about as surprising as a Kardashian posting a selfie.

So, what can we do about this? The report offers some recommendations for educators, policymakers, and civic leaders. But let's be real, we all know the real solution is to just make everything a joke.

Imagine if every time a student tried to argue about politics, the teacher responded with a dad joke. "I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of how much I don't care." Or what if we replaced all textbooks with memes? "The history of the United States in one picture: George Washington crossing the Delaware, followed by a bunch of Kardashians crossing the street."

But in all seriousness, civic education and engagement are important. We need to prepare our students for the real world and teach them how to have civil dialogue. And let's be real, if we can't do that, we're all screwed.

So, let's take a page out of Leslie Knope's book and "treat yo' self" to some civic engagement. Let's have debates where the winner gets a free pizza. Let's have mock elections where the candidates are all fictional characters. And most importantly, let's remember that at the end of the day, we're all just a bunch of baby goats trying to headbutt each other.

Educating Diverse Democracy for a The Chilling Role of Political Conflict in Blue, Purple, and Red Communities https://idea.gseis.ucla.edu/publications/files/diverse-democracy-report

Public high school principals detail impact of political conflicts on students and educators - ABC7 Los Angeles https://abc7.com/public-schools-political-conflicts-in-the-classroom-uclas-institute-for-democracy-education/13788291/ 

THE DEFT DIVE

FROM BING AI

The Chilling Role of Political Conflict in Blue, Purple, and Red Communities is a report by John Rogers and Joseph Kahne that examines how the current political climate in the United States affects public education and civic engagement. The report is based on a survey of 3,000 high school principals and interviews with 60 principals from different regions and political contexts. The report finds that political conflicts have had a chilling effect that has limited opportunities for students to engage in learning and respectful dialogue on controversial topics and made it harder to address rampant misinformation. The report also offers recommendations for educators, policymakers, and civic leaders to support public schools as sites of democratic education and participation.

Some of the main findings of the report are:

• - Principals in politically diverse communities (purple districts) face the most challenges in addressing controversial issues and fostering civic engagement. They are more likely to experience political pressure from parents, community members, and district officials, and more likely to avoid or censor topics that might spark conflict.
• - Principals in politically homogeneous communities (blue or red districts) also face challenges, but of a different nature. They are more likely to encounter misinformation and disinformation among students and families, and less likely to expose students to diverse perspectives and experiences.
• - Principals across all types of communities report that the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 presidential election, and the racial justice protests have increased the level of political polarization and conflict in their schools and communities.
• - Principals across all types of communities also report that they value civic education and engagement, and that they try to provide opportunities for students to learn about current events, discuss controversial issues, participate in service learning, and engage with local government.

Some of the main recommendations of the report are:

• - Educators should adopt a proactive approach to civic education and engagement, rather than a reactive one. They should plan ahead for how to address controversial issues, prepare students for civil dialogue, and create a supportive school climate.
• - Policymakers should provide adequate funding, guidance, and professional development for civic education and engagement. They should also protect the academic freedom and professional judgment of educators from political interference.
• - Civic leaders should partner with public schools to offer authentic and meaningful opportunities for civic participation. They should also model civil discourse and respect for democratic norms and values.

Bing, 9/17/2023

• (1) Educating for a Diverse Democracy: The Chilling Role of Political .... https://idea.gseis.ucla.edu/publications/educating-for-a-diverse-democracy.
• (2) Educating for a Diverse Democracy: The Chilling Role of Political .... https://www.civicsurvey.org/publications/educating-for-a-diverse-democracy.
• (3) Hot-button political issues are having a chilling effect on public .... https://bing.com/search?q=The+Chilling+Role+of+Political+Conflict+in+Blue%2c+Purple%2c+and+Red+Communities.
• (4) Hot-button political issues are having a chilling effect on public .... https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/political-issues-chilling-effect-on-public-schools.
• (5) Hot-button political issues are having a chilling effect on public schools. https://phys.org/news/2022-12-hot-button-political-issues-chilling-effect.html.
• (6) Political Conflicts are Having a Chilling Effect on Public Schools. https://seis.ucla.edu/news/political-conflicts-are-having-a-chilling-effect-on.

CHATBOTS: THE NEW HOMEWORK HELPERS OR FUTURE ROBOT OVERLORDS

 

CHATBOTS: THE NEW HOMEWORK HELPERS OR FUTURE ROBOT OVERLORDS

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made its way into our classrooms, and it's causing quite a stir. Teachers are scrambling to keep up with the latest technology, while students are wondering if the robots will take over their education. But fear not, my fellow humans, for AI is just another tool to be used in learning. And let's be honest, with all the cheating and laziness that goes on in schools these days, we could use all the help we can get.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "But wait, won't AI replace teachers?" Ha! As if. Sure, AI can help with lesson plans and individualized education programs, but it can't replace the human touch that teachers provide. Who else will give us those awkwardly long pauses after we give a wrong answer? Or make us read out loud in front of the class when we didn't do the reading? We need teachers to keep us on our toes and make us feel like we're actually learning something.

But let's talk about the real benefits of AI in education: chatbots. Yes, you heard me right. Chatbots. These little guys can help us with everything from understanding difficult concepts to providing unlimited feedback on our writing. And let's face it, who wouldn't want a robot to do their homework for them? Okay, okay, I know that's not ethical. But still, chatbots can be a valuable resource for students who need a little extra help.

Of course, there are concerns about the ethics of using AI in education. Some worry about bias and privacy issues. But let's be real, if AI is going to take over the world, it's going to do it whether we use it in schools or not. So we might as well embrace it and teach our students how to use it ethically. And who better to do that than our trusty teachers?

In fact, some students are already advocating for the use of chatbots in curriculums. One high school senior from Massachusetts wrote an article for CNN arguing that chatbots should be an essential tool in education. She pointed out that chatbots can offer ideas and perspectives that students might not have considered otherwise. And let's be honest, sometimes we need a fresh perspective to really understand something.

But how can teachers guide students to use chatbots effectively? Well, for starters, they can teach them about the dangers of plagiarism and encourage them to think critically about the information they're receiving. They can also monitor their students' use of chatbots and provide feedback on how they're using them. And let's not forget about the importance of good old-fashioned human interaction. Teachers can still provide valuable feedback and guidance that chatbots simply can't.

So there you have it, folks. AI is here to stay, but don't worry, your teachers aren't going anywhere (at least for now). Chatbots can be a valuable resource for students who need a little extra help, but we need to use them ethically and responsibly. And let's not forget to thank our teachers for keeping us on our toes and making us feel like we're failing at life (in the best way possible).

Teachers Are Going All In on Generative AI | WIRED https://www.wired.com/story/teachers-are-going-all-in-on-generative-ai/ 

Artificial intelligence in schools is here to stay. How will teachers adjust? - Newsday https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/artificial-intelligence-schools-chatgpt-uhnxre5w 

‘Technology is not something we can hide from students’: How NYC Public Schools invited AI into its classrooms - Source https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/digital-transformation/how-nyc-public-schools-invited-ai-into-its-classrooms/ 

STUDENT LOANS: THE NEW VAMPIRES OF THE ECONOMY

STUDENT LOANS: THE NEW VAMPIRES OF THE ECONOMY

As the saying goes, "money makes the world go round," and for many Americans, that money comes in the form of student loans. But starting October 1st, those loans will begin to suck the life out of the economy, as borrowers are forced to make monthly payments once again.

This news has left many students feeling like they've been hit with a ton of bricks (or should we say, debt?). After all, it's not like they've been living the high life since March 2020, when payments were temporarily suspended due to the pandemic. Most have been scraping by on ramen noodles and dollar store snacks, trying to make ends meet while juggling classes, work, and a social life (well, at least a socially distanced one).

But now, with payments looming on the horizon, students are tightening their belts even further. They're cutting back on everything from clothes to coffee, worried that they won't be able to make ends meet once those loan payments start rolling in.

And it's not just students who are feeling the pinch. Retailers across the country are bracing for a potential slowdown in spending, as consumers divert their hard-earned cash towards loan payments instead of shopping sprees. This has led to some hilarious headlines, such as "Student Loans Threaten to Turn Fashionistas into Frugalistas" and "Loan Payments Leave Starbucks Baristas High and Dry."

But while students may be feeling the pain, Republicans are quick to remind them that bailing out businesses is far more important than helping out the average Joe (or Jane). After all, corporations are people too (at least in the eyes of the law), while students are just a bunch of broke millennials who need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps (which they can't afford to buy).

But fear not, dear readers, for the Biden administration has come up with a solution that is sure to put a smile on your face (or at least a smirk). They've rolled out a program that allows borrowers to make monthly payments based on a small percentage of their discretionary income. So if you're currently living on a diet of ramen and instant coffee, you'll only have to pay a fraction of what your more well-off counterparts are shelling out.

Of course, this program comes with its own set of challenges. For starters, it can be difficult to determine what counts as discretionary income when you're barely scraping by. Is that extra pack of ramen noodles discretionary? What about the occasional trip to the dollar store for some non-essential snacks?

And then there's the issue of paperwork. Applying for this program can be a bureaucratic nightmare, with endless forms to fill out and documents to provide. It's enough to make you want to throw your laptop out the window and scream into the void.

But in the end, isn't that what being a student is all about? Navigating complex systems, juggling competing demands, and finding humor in even the most dire of situations? So go forth, dear readers, and face those loan payments with a smile on your face (or at least a grimace). After all, laughter is the best medicine - unless you're trying to pay off your student loans.

Student-Loan Restart Threatens to Pull $100 Billion Out of Consumers’ Pockets - WSJ https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/student-loan-repayment-consumers-economy-2218ca25?utm_source=newsshowcase