DUHSANTIS IS KILLING SCIENCE IN FLORIDA

DUHSANTIS IS KILLING SCIENCE IN FLORIDA

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Sunshine State, where the sun is hot, the beaches are sandy, and the science is...dead? That's right folks, Governor Ron DeSantis is killing science in Florida faster than you can say "climate change is a hoax."

In a recent op-ed in Scientific American, it was revealed that Florida's new laws are restricting discussions on race, gender, and sexuality in schools and universities. Because who needs diversity and inclusion when you can just stick your head in the sand and pretend everything is rainbows and unicorns, am I right?

But wait, it gets better. Not only are these laws encroaching on academic freedom, but they could also prevent future generations of scientists from conducting ethical research or refuting dangerous pseudoscience. Because nothing says "scientific progress" like ignoring social issues and diversity.

According to the op-ed, many science educators have begun teaching about how racism, colonialism, and sexism have been perpetuated by scientists. But apparently, that's just too much for Governor DeSantis and his cronies to handle. So instead of addressing these issues head-on, they're just going to sweep them under the rug and hope they go away. Brilliant strategy, guys.

But fear not, my fellow science enthusiasts. The op-ed suggests that STEM professionals can join and organize affinity spaces to build stronger support networks and activism pipelines. So let's all band together and fight the good fight against ignorance and bigotry.

And if you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can even track anti-DEI legislation being introduced throughout the United States using an online tool from the Chronicle of Higher Education. Because who doesn't love a good old-fashioned game of "spot the bigotry?"

In conclusion, while Governor DeSantis may be killing science in Florida, he can't kill our spirit. So let's keep fighting for diversity, inclusion, and scientific progress. And maybe one day, we'll even convince him that climate change is real. Hey, a girl can dream.

Florida's Attacks on Education Threaten Science - Scientific American https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/floridas-attacks-on-education-threaten-science/ 

OH GOD, THE NEW NEW MATH: A CRISIS OF NUMBERS AND NOSENSE

 

OH GOD, THE NEW NEW MATH: A CRISIS OF NUMBERS AND NONSENSE 

It's official: the US education system is in a state of crisis. And no, we're not talking about the pandemic (although that's certainly not helping things). We're talking about the math crisis. That's right, folks, we're in the midst of a full-blown math emergency, and it's all thanks to the New New Math.

Now, you may be thinking to yourself, "What the hell is the New New Math?" And honestly, we don't blame you. It's a confusing mess of numbers, symbols, and concepts that seem to have been dreamed up by a team of deranged mathematicians who have never actually set foot in a classroom.

But let's back up a bit. According to a recent study by The Education Reporting Collaborative*(SEE BELOW), the COVID-19 pandemic has left US public school students half a year behind in math. To combat this crisis, school officials have hired "math coaches" and parents have spent a small fortune on math tutors. But here's the thing: these measures are only helping the so-called "smarties" who were already good at math to begin with. For the rest of us who gave up on math years ago, it's just more of the same old nonsense.

So what's the problem with math education? Well, where do we even begin? For starters, there's the issue of speed. Math lectures and tests move at a breakneck pace, leaving students feeling overwhelmed and confused. And don't even get us started on group work. Nothing like being stuck with a bunch of people who are just as clueless as you are to really drive home the fact that you're never going to understand this stuff.

Then there's the matter of biased textbooks. Let's face it, most math textbooks are written by people who are way too smart for their own good. They assume that everyone else is just as brilliant as they are, which leads to a lot of confusion and frustration for those of us who are just trying to get through the damn class.

And let's not forget about teacher ridicule. We've all had that one math teacher who seemed to take pleasure in pointing out our mistakes in front of the entire class. Thanks for the memories, Mrs. Johnson.

But perhaps the biggest problem with math education is the prevailing attitude toward "boneheads." You know who we're talking about: those of us who just don't get it no matter how hard we try. Instead of offering extra help or finding new ways to explain things, teachers often write us off as hopeless cases and move on to the next lesson.

All of these factors have contributed to a rise in grade inflation in high school math courses. Despite the fact that students are not necessarily mastering the material, grades have continued to rise due to factors like attendance and effort. This has made it difficult for colleges to gauge a student's actual knowledge of math, leading to a decline in preparedness among incoming STEM students.

So what's the solution? Honestly, we're not sure. Maybe it's time to go back to basics and focus on teaching math in a way that actually makes sense to everyone. Maybe it's time to stop assuming that everyone is a genius and start offering more personalized help to those who need it. Or maybe it's time to just throw in the towel and accept that some of us will never understand math no matter how hard we try.

Either way, one thing is clear: the New New Math has got to go. It's time for a new approach to math education, one that doesn't leave us all feeling like we're just not good enough. Because let's face it, we're all boneheads when it comes to math. And that's okay.

The Latest ‘Math Crisis’ - CounterPunch.org https://www.counterpunch.org/2023/09/19/the-latest-math-crisis/ 

PROOF POINTS: It's easier and easier to get an A in math https://hechingerreport.org/proof-points-its-easier-and-easier-to-get-an-a-in-math/ 

*FROM BARD AI: 

The Education Reporting Collaborative (ERC) is a nonprofit organization that supports education journalism. The ERC was founded in 2014 by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Walton Family Foundation, and the Ford Foundation.

The ERC's funding comes from a variety of sources, including:

Foundations: The ERC's founding funders, as well as other foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Overdeck Family Foundation, and the Spencer Foundation, continue to provide significant support to the organization.

Individual donors: The ERC also receives support from individual donors who care about education journalism.

News organizations: Some news organizations, such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR, also contribute to the ERC.

BROAD ACADEMY SUPERINTENDENTS ACADEMY AKA PRIVATIZER TRAINING

 

BROAD ACADEMY SUPERINTENDENTS ACADEMY AKA PRIVATIZER TRAINING

Public education, oh how we love to hate it. From the endless standardized testing to the budget cuts that leave our schools looking like they were decorated by a hoarder, it's no wonder we're all a little bit skeptical of the system. But have you ever wondered how public education got so screwed up? Let me give you a hint: it involves billionaires and their thirst for power.

The oligarchy of billionaires has all the money in the world to make things happen. They can buy politicians, buy marketing and research, and convince us all that their way is the only way. And what do they want? To defund colleges and schools at the state level, harass teachers and their unions, and break up communities. And they've been pretty successful at it too.

One of their most successful tactics is the Broad Superintendent's Academy. This program, founded in 2002 by the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, trains and supports aspiring superintendents. And when I say "supports," I mean they throw money at them until they do their bidding.

The program is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 10%. But once you're in, you're in for a wild ride. You'll learn about educational leadership, policy, and finance. You'll get internships and executive coaching. And you'll be indoctrinated into the oligarchy's way of thinking.

But don't take my word for it. Check out Diane Ravitch's exposé, "Slaying Goliath: The Passionate Resistance to Privatization and the Fight to Save America's Public Schools." It tells the stories of individuals and groups who are resisting the privatization of public schools.

If you've ever seen closed schools, teacher strikes, or parents protesting at school board meetings, you've probably experienced the joy of having a Broad Academy superintendent. And if you haven't, just wait. They're coming for your school district next.

But don't worry, the Broad Foundation has our best interests at heart. That's why they moved the program to Yale University in 2019, following a $100 million gift from philanthropist Eli Broad. Because nothing says "we care about public education" like co-opting academia and advancing your own political agenda.

Some critics have argued that the move to Yale is a sign that the Broad Center is trying to legitimize its education reform efforts. Others have argued that it's just a way to give the program access to Yale's resources. But let's be real, we all know what's really going on here.

The Broad Superintendent's Academy has trained over 1,300 superintendents, of whom over 1,000 are currently employed in education. So if your superintendent seems a little too eager to privatize your school district, chances are they're a Broad Academy graduate.

But don't worry, there are other programs that train superintendents too. And let's not forget that superintendents come and go. They retire, they resign, they get fired. It's a revolving door of incompetence.

So next time you're wondering why public education is so screwed up, just remember: it's all thanks to the oligarchy of billionaires and their thirst for power. And if you want to fight back, join the passionate resistance to privatization and the fight to save America's public schools. Or at least bring some popcorn to the next school board meeting. It's sure to be a wild ride.

THE DEFT DIVE

FROM UPDATED BARD AI 

The Broad Superintendent's Academy moved to Yale University in 2019, following a $100 million gift from philanthropist Eli Broad. The program, which was founded in 2002, trains and supports aspiring superintendents.

According to the Broad Center at Yale, the program has trained over 1,300 superintendents, of whom over 1,000 are currently employed in education. This includes superintendents in large urban districts, as well as smaller, rural districts.

The Broad Superintendent's Academy is a highly competitive program, with an acceptance rate of around 10%. The program is one year long and includes a mix of coursework, internships, and executive coaching. Fellows in the program learn about a variety of topics, including educational leadership, policy, and finance.

The Broad Superintendent's Academy has been praised for its rigorous training and its focus on diversity. However, it has also been criticized for its close ties to the Broad Foundation, which has been accused of promoting privatization and other market-based reforms in education.

**Here are some additional insights about the Broad Superintendent's Academy move to Yale:**

• * The move to Yale was seen as a way to legitimize the Broad Center's education reform efforts and to give the program access to Yale's resources.
• * Some critics have argued that the move to Yale is a sign that the Broad Center is trying to co-opt academia and to advance its own political agenda.
• * Others have argued that the move to Yale is a positive development, as it will give the Broad Superintendent's Academy access to Yale's world-class faculty and facilities.

**Here are some additional insights about the number of superintendents trained by the Broad Superintendent's Academy and the number that are currently employed in education:**

• * The Broad Superintendent's Academy has trained over 1,300 superintendents, of whom over 1,000 are currently employed in education.
• * This means that the Broad Superintendent's Academy has made a significant contribution to the pipeline of superintendents in the United States.
• * However, it is important to note that the Broad Superintendent's Academy is just one of many programs that trains superintendents.
• * Additionally, it is important to note that the number of superintendents who are employed in education changes over time, as superintendents retire, resign, or move on to other jobs.

Overall, the Broad Superintendent's Academy is a significant player in the field of superintendent training. The program has trained over 1,300 superintendents, of whom over 1,000 are currently employed in education. The program has been praised for its rigorous training and its focus on diversity. However, it has also been criticized for its close ties to the Broad Foundation, which has been accused of promoting privatization and other market-based reforms in education.

FROM BING AI

Here is some information about the Broad Superintendent's Academy, its move to Yale, and the number of superintendents trained and employed in education:

• - The Broad Superintendent's Academy (BSA) is a program that trains current and aspiring leaders of urban public school systems in the United States. It was founded in 2002 by the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, a philanthropic organization that supports education reform initiatives. The BSA claims to prepare its participants for the challenges and opportunities of leading large, complex, and diverse school districts. The BSA is not accredited by any educational institution or agency, and its curriculum is not publicly available¹².
• - In December 2019, the Broad Foundation announced that it would invest $100 million to move the BSA and its parent organization, the Broad Center, to Yale University's School of Management (SOM). The move was intended to create a new entity called the Broad Center at Yale SOM, which would offer a free master's degree program in public education management and advanced leadership training for top school system executives. The new center would also conduct research, policy analysis, and convenings on public education issues³⁴.
• - According to the Broad Center's website, over 150 BSA fellows have served as superintendents or chief executives of local and state systems, and over 70 are currently serving in system leader roles. However, some of these graduates have faced criticism, controversy, and resistance from teachers, parents, students, and community members in their districts. Some have also resigned or been fired after short tenures or poor performance¹⁵. A list of all known BSA graduates can be found here⁶.

Bing, 9/19/2023

• (1) AASA | American Association of School Administrators. https://www.aasa.org/SchoolAdministratorArticle.aspx?id=6636.
• (2) . https://bing.com/search?q=The+Broad+Superintendent%27s+Academy.
• (3) Eli Broad’s Superintendent Academy Goes Ivy League. https://capitalandmain.com/eli-broads-superintendent-academy-ivy-league-1208.
• (4) The Broad Center | The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation. https://broadfoundation.org/grantees/the-broad-center/.
• (5) Defend Public Education! - The Broad Superintendents Academy. https://www.pa-sos.org/the-broad-superintendents-acad/.
• (6) The Broad Center | Yale School of Management. https://som.yale.edu/centers/the-broad-center.
• (7) The Broad Network | Yale School of Management. https://som.yale.edu/centers/the-broad-center/the-network.
• (8) About The Broad Center at Yale SOM | Yale School of Management. https://som.yale.edu/centers/the-broad-center/about-the-broad-center.
• (9) Meet the Broad Superintendents | Diane Ravitch's blog. https://dianeravitch.net/2013/08/15/meet-the-broad-superintendents/.
• (10) Boot Camp for Education CEOs - Rethinking Schools. https://rethinkingschools.org/articles/boot-camp-for-education-ceos-the-broad-foundation-superintendents-academy/.
• (11) undefined. http://www.broadacademy.org/fellows/map.html.
• (12) undefined. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadlands_School.

SAN ANTONIO ISD: RIGHTSIZING IS THE CODE WORD FOR PRIVATIZING

 

SAN ANTONIO ISD: RIGHTSIZING IS THE CODE WORD FOR PRIVATIZING

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, gather around because I have a story to tell you. It's a story about a secret code word that billionaires use to destroy public education. You see, they don't just come out and say they want to privatize everything. No, no, no. They're much sneakier than that. They use a term that sounds harmless enough, but it's really the beginning of the end for our schools. That term, my friends, is "rightsizing."

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Rightsizing? That doesn't sound so bad." But let me tell you, it's a wolf in sheep's clothing. The billionaires start by wringing their hands about the cost of education. "It's just too expensive," they say. "We need to cut back." Then they start looking at schools strategically located in areas where they can make a killing on real estate. They announce that these schools will be closing, and the parents and community start to protest.

But here's the thing: the district doesn't really care about those protests. They might take a few schools off the list to appease people, but they're still going to close a bunch of them. It's all part of what they call the "20% plan." And once they get started, it's hard to stop. Just look at what's happening in Los Angeles.

So what's the real goal of all these closures? It's simple: they want to open up real estate for charter schools. They want to free up teachers to teach in those charter schools. And they want to make a ton of money in the process. It's all about the bottom line, folks.

So if you hear the term "rightsizing" in your district, watch out. They've come for you. And they won't stop until they've privatized everything.

But don't worry, there's still hope. We can fight back against these billionaires and their sneaky tactics. We can rally together and demand that our public schools be protected. We can show them that we won't stand for their greed and their disregard for our children's education.

And if all else fails, we can always start our own school. Who needs billionaires when you've got a group of dedicated parents and teachers? We'll show them what real education looks like.

In conclusion, my friends, let us not be fooled by the code word "rightsizing." Let us stand strong and fight for our public schools. And let us never forget that laughter is the best medicine, especially when dealing with billionaires and their ridiculous schemes. Thank you for listening, and may your education always be public and hilarious.

San Antonio ISD proposes closing 19 schools as part of ‘rightsizing’ plan https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/09/19/san-antonio-isd-proposes-closing-19-schools-as-part-of-rightsizing-plan/

MEATAXE MIKE MILES SEEMS TO BE SAYING MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY BITCHES , SURPRISINGLY THERE HAS BEEN PROTESTS

MEATAXE MIKE MILES SEEMS TO BE SAYING MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY BITCHES , SURPRISINGLY THERE HAS BEEN PROTESTS  

In a move that has left teachers and parents alike scratching their heads, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) has implemented a new education system (NES) that seems to be more about control than education. And Superintendent Meataxe Mike Miles is leading the charge.

Under the NES, teachers are required to follow tightly scripted lessons, engage students every four minutes, and administer timed quizzes at the end of each class. Failure to comply with the model can result in reassignment or termination. It's as if Superintendent Miles is saying, "My way or the highway, bitches!"

But the NES has come under fire for its lack of flexibility, particularly when it comes to special education students who require accommodations such as extra time on quizzes or read-aloud assessments. And when two teachers dared to question the system at a meeting, they were threatened with termination for alleged insubordination.

Parents and students have had enough and are rallying outside HISD campuses in protest. One teacher, who has been with HISD for over two decades, claims she was fired for speaking out against the district's use of the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment model. The computer-based test is supposed to measure student progress and teacher effectiveness, but the teacher alleges that it's flawed and unreliable, putting undue pressure on everyone involved.

Meanwhile, teachers at Chrysalis Middle School have been warned to implement the NES without question or face termination. Two teachers have already been fired for insubordination, leading to protests from parents and students who are struggling to adapt to the new regime.

It's not just Chrysalis Middle School that's feeling the heat. Teachers at Cage Elementary and Project Chrysalis Middle School have been given an ultimatum: embrace the NES or find a new job. But the NES has been criticized for its lack of transparency and rigid style, leaving many wondering if it's really about education or just control.

Superintendent Meataxe Mike Miles seems determined to push his agenda, but parents and students are pushing back. As one parent put it, "We want our kids to learn, but we also want them to be happy and healthy. The NES seems to be doing more harm than good."

So what's next for HISD? Will Superintendent Miles continue to bulldoze his way through, or will he listen to the concerns of parents and teachers? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: there's never a dull moment in the world of education.

After Houston ISD administrator tells ‘nonbelievers’ to accept reforms or ‘You will not be here,’ students and parents protest  – Houston Public Media https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/education-news/hisd/2023/09/18/462681/after-houston-isd-administrator-tells-nonbelievers-to-accept-reforms-or-you-will-not-be-here-students-and-parents-protest/ 

Parents protest HISD and NES after teacher said she was fired | khou.com https://www.khou.com/article/news/education/hisd-rally-nes/285-0f023700-ff9a-4eeb-a169-26d550506d1c 

Protesting Teacher Dismissals and Changes at HISD Schools | Houston Press https://www.houstonpress.com/news/protesting-teacher-dismissals-and-changes-at-hisd-schools-16501273 

HISD teachers must commit to Miles' system or leave their campuses https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-teachers-ultimatum-18371072.php