Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights

A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
7-18-25

Supreme Court Okays Trump's Evisceration of US Department of Education  https://open.substack.com/pub/dianebrooklyn/p/supreme-court-okays-trumps-evisceration?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false 

### Key Points

- Supreme Court ruling allows Trump to dismantle the Department of Education without Congressional approval, raising concerns about constitutional checks and balances. 

- Historical overview of Republican attitudes toward the Department of Education, highlighting shifts under Reagan, Bush, and Trump. 

- Trump’s second term shows increased influence of far-right extremists, reshaping education policies and governance. 

Heather Cox Richardson: In the Trump Administration, Cruelty Is the Point https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/17/heather-cox-richardson-in-the-trump-administratuon-cruelty-is-the-point/ via @dianeravitch 

Heather Cox Richardson's article critiques the Trump administration's expansion of presidential power, particularly its efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and bypass congressional authority. The Supreme Court's right-wing majority has enabled these actions, raising concerns about constitutional violations. The administration's chaotic governance style, driven by lower-level officials and detached leadership, has led to controversial decisions, including destroying emergency food supplies and targeting public broadcasting. Meanwhile, MAGA supporters are increasingly disillusioned, particularly over suppressed Epstein-related information.

### Key Points

- The Trump administration aims to dismantle the Department of Education, claiming it promotes "woke" ideology, despite its primary role in supporting high-poverty schools and prohibiting discrimination. 

- The Supreme Court's right-wing majority has supported these actions, allowing unconstitutional executive overreach. 

- Controversial spending cuts and rescissions proposed by the administration challenge congressional authority, including defunding public broadcasting. 

- Lower-level officials, rather than top leadership, appear to drive policy decisions, creating governance chaos reminiscent of authoritarian regimes. 

- The administration ordered the destruction of emergency food supplies, citing concerns about terrorism, wasting taxpayer money. 

- MAGA supporters are increasingly frustrated over suppressed Epstein-related information, with growing discontent across various issues. 

Missouri: Legislature Bans Teacher Use of "Three Cueing" https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/17/missouri/ via @dianeravitch 

Missouri lawmakers have banned the use of the "three-cueing" method in reading instruction, favoring phonics-based approaches as part of an education reform package. The law permits three-cueing as a supplementary tool but mandates phonics as the primary method. Critics argue that legislators lack the expertise to dictate teaching strategies and that reading instruction should be guided by research and tailored to student needs. The debate reflects broader tensions over the politicization of education and the effectiveness of different instructional methods.

### Key Points

- Missouri banned the "three-cueing" method in favor of phonics-based reading instruction, allowing it only as a supplement. 

- Proponents claim phonics is essential for effective learning, while critics argue three-cueing encourages guessing rather than decoding. 

- Some educators believe the ban is unnecessary, as phonics is already widely used, and three-cueing can complement phonics instruction. 

- Critics assert that legislators lack the qualifications to mandate teaching methods and should focus on empowering educators instead. 

The Teenage Girl Who Struck Out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/17/the-teenage-girl-who-struck-out-babe-ruth-and-lou-gehrig/ via @dianeravitch 

The article recounts the fascinating story of Jackie Mitchell, a 17-year-old girl who famously struck out baseball legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig during an exhibition game on April 2, 1931. It explores her background, her rise in baseball, and the debate surrounding whether her strikeouts were legitimate or a publicity stunt orchestrated by Joe Engel, the president of the Chattanooga Lookouts. Despite skepticism, Mitchell maintained until her death that her strikeouts were genuine. The article also delves into the broader historical context of women in baseball and Engel's eccentric promotional tactics.

### Key Points

- Jackie Mitchell, a 17-year-old girl, struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in an exhibition game in 1931, sparking debate over the legitimacy of the event. 

- Mitchell learned pitching from Dazzy Vance, a neighbor and former MLB pitcher, and was signed by Joe Engel to pitch for the Chattanooga Lookouts. 

- Engel, known for his wild publicity stunts, may have staged the strikeouts to draw fans during the Great Depression. 

- Mitchell’s contract was voided days after the game, but she continued playing baseball for barnstorming teams, including the House of David, until her retirement in 1937. 

- Arguments supporting the legitimacy of the strikeouts include Ruth’s tendency to strike out, Gehrig’s competitive nature, and Mitchell’s skill as a southpaw pitcher with a sinker/curveball. 

Big Education Ape: WHY DONALD TRUMP IS RUNNING FROM THE GHOST OF JEFFREY EPSTEIN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/07/why-donald-trump-is-running-from-ghost.html 

The article explores various topics, including political intrigue surrounding Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, public education challenges, and other societal issues.

### Key Points

- Donald Trump dismisses the Jeffrey Epstein inquiry as "boring," sparking backlash from MAGA supporters demanding transparency. 

- MAGA supporters criticize Trump for perceived hypocrisy, claiming he avoids accountability for elites linked to Epstein's case. 

- Prominent Republicans call for the release of Epstein files, but Trump resists, leading to internal divisions within his base. 

- Trump frames the controversy as media bias and political witch-hunting, but Epstein's shadow continues to affect his legacy. 

STUBBY STACK AND THE CASE OF THE EXTREME WEATHER WHODUNIT https://ru4people.substack.com/p/stubby-stack-and-the-case-of-the 

Stubby Stack narrates a humorous yet insightful tale about extreme weather in 2025, exploring its human-made causes and potential solutions. Assisted by four AI "detectives," he uncovers the role of greenhouse gases, deforestation, and fossil fuels in exacerbating climate change. The article emphasizes systemic changes, individual actions, and global cooperation to mitigate and adapt to the crisis.

### Key Points

- Extreme weather events like heatwaves, hurricanes, and floods are worsening, largely due to human activities such as fossil fuel use, deforestation, and methane emissions from livestock. 

- Greenhouse gases act like a "mafia," trapping heat and accelerating climate chaos through feedback loops. 

- Solutions include transitioning to renewable energy, reforesting landscapes, reducing emissions, and promoting sustainable practices like cutting meat consumption and ditching plastics. 

- Systemic changes—government policies, corporate accountability, and international cooperation—are crucial for addressing climate change effectively. 

- Wealthy nations and corporations bear significant responsibility and must support developing countries while avoiding greenwashing. 

Supreme Court Acquiesces to Trump's Move to Abolish Education Department https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2025/07/17/supreme-court-acquiesces-to-trumps-move-to-abolish-education-department/ via @janresseger 

The article discusses the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education under President Trump, following his executive order on March 20, 2025. Despite legal challenges and rulings from lower courts to reinstate fired employees, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of allowing the administration to proceed with layoffs, effectively crippling the department. This decision raises concerns about expanding presidential power and the use of the "shadow docket" for significant rulings without detailed explanations. Critics highlight the harm caused to civil rights enforcement, particularly in areas like gender, racial equity, and disability rights, as well as the implications for families and communities. The dissenting justices argue that Congress, not the President, has the authority to abolish a Cabinet-level agency.

### Key Points

- The Supreme Court allowed President Trump to proceed with dismantling the U.S. Department of Education through mass layoffs, raising concerns about expanded presidential power. 

- Lower courts initially blocked the layoffs, but the Supreme Court's ruling overturned those decisions, leaving the department in disarray. 

- Critics, including dissenting justices, argue that the President lacks unilateral authority to close a Cabinet-level agency created by Congress. 

- The administration has shifted the department’s priorities, emphasizing investigations into civil rights issues while reducing enforcement of traditional protections. 

- The use of the Supreme Court's "shadow docket" for major decisions without detailed explanations has sparked debate about transparency and accountability. 

Teacher Tom: Play, Like Love, Is Always in the Eye of the Beholder https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/07/play-like-love-is-always-in-eye-of.html 

Play, like love, is difficult to define but universally recognized through experience. The article explores the parallels between love and play, emphasizing their elusive nature and the challenges in scientifically defining them. It highlights the importance of play for children's development, the struggle to create cohesive research to support play-based learning, and the need to advocate for play despite its subjective perception. The author, Teacher Tom, promotes his play-based pedagogy and invites readers to join his summer camp for deeper insights into fostering play for children.

### Key Points

- Love and play are universally recognized but difficult to define, with their meaning varying across contexts. 

- Scientists struggle to define play, making it challenging to create cohesive research or persuade policymakers of its importance. 

- Play is critical for children's physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development, as reaffirmed by research from the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

- Teacher Tom advocates for play-based learning and offers a summer camp to help educators and caregivers create environments that foster genuine play. 

EPISODE # 133 | Bill Ayers https://billayers.org/2025/07/17/episode-133/ 

### Key Points

- The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project (CRR19) aims to provoke discussions on white supremacy and racial violence, marking the 100th anniversary of the riot. 

- CRR19 remembers the 1919 Chicago Race Riot, the city's worst racial violence incident, and its lasting impact on racial segregation. 

- Eve Ewing’s poetry collection, "1919," uses excerpts from the commission report on the riot to highlight racial tensions and injustices. 

- CRR19 organizes an annual commemoration, including a south-side bike tour, to educate and engage the public. 

- Resources such as free e-books, historic tours, and educational materials are available to support CRR19's work. 

- The project connects to broader historical markers like the Monument to the Great Migration and Claude McKay's poem "If We Must Die." 

Kicking Away the Ladder The great American wealth transfer is underway https://educationwars.substack.com/p/kicking-away-the-ladder 

The article discusses the impact of recent legislation and policies on public education, economic mobility, and wealth distribution in the United States. It highlights how these measures, driven by the GOP and Trump Administration, exacerbate class divides, limit opportunities for lower-income students, and redirect public resources to benefit the wealthy. The policies include caps on student loans, cuts to Medicaid and public school funding, and the expansion of school voucher programs, which collectively destabilize public schools and make higher education less accessible. Historical parallels, such as Kansas' tax-cut experiment, are drawn to showcase the long-term consequences of such actions.

### Key Points

- Recent legislation increases barriers to economic mobility, favoring wealthy individuals while disadvantaging lower-income students. 

- Caps on student loans and cuts to Medicaid funding reduce access to higher education for non-wealthy students. 

- School voucher programs redistribute public dollars upward, worsening funding for public schools and limiting college opportunities for most students. 

- Federal funding freezes disproportionately harm schools in red states, with significant budget cuts leading to reduced educational quality. 

- Historical comparisons to Kansas’ tax-cut experiment show the devastating impact of slashing public school funding on student outcomes and community well-being. 

- Bipartisan backlash against destabilizing public education suggests potential voter pushback in the future. 

glen brown: Scientists Discover the Largest Wolf Pack Roaming America https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/07/scientists-discover-largest-wolf-pack.html 

Scientists have discovered the largest wolf pack ever documented in North America, named the "Yellowstone Northern Range Pack," consisting of 42 wolves. This groundbreaking finding challenges previous understandings of wolf social structures and offers insights into their adaptability and ecological impact. The pack exhibits unique multi-family dynamics, advanced hunting strategies, and sophisticated communication systems. Its presence significantly influences the ecosystem, affecting prey behavior, vegetation growth, and scavenger populations. Researchers are using innovative technologies to study the pack, which has implications for conservation efforts, public education, and wildlife management.

### Key Points

- Researchers identified the largest wolf pack in North America, consisting of 42 wolves in Yellowstone. 

- The pack's multi-family structure and advanced communication systems enable coordinated hunting and territory management. 

- The pack's ecological impact includes changes in prey behavior, vegetation patterns, and scavenger populations. 

- Genetic analysis reveals unique lineage and behavioral tendencies toward larger social groupings. 

- Conservation implications include reassessing habitat needs and advocating for expanded protections. 

- Public interest has led to educational outreach and increased tourism, with efforts to manage human-wolf interactions. 

- Researchers employ cutting-edge technologies like GPS collars, camera traps, and acoustic monitoring to study the pack. 

Education Research Report: Scholar argues for move away from meritocracy in schools to redefine purpose of education https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/07/scholar-argues-for-move-away-from.html 

### Key Points

- Scholar Yong Zhao argues that meritocracy in education fosters unhealthy competition, ignores individual differences, and contributes to societal stratification. 

- Meritocracy allocates resources unevenly, fails to account for unequal starting points, and hinders individual fulfillment and societal progress. Zhao proposes shifting to a human interdependence paradigm to nurture unique talents and solve real-world problems. 

- Zhao critiques the obsession with standardized metrics like GPA and SAT scores, highlighting their poor predictive value for intelligence and ability. 

- The human interdependence paradigm emphasizes identifying students’ strengths and interests early, creating personalized education to foster talents beneficial to both individuals and society. 

- Meritocracy often prioritizes certain subjects, like math and science, over others, disadvantaging students with talents in humanities, arts, or vocational fields. 

- Schools in Australia and New Zealand have implemented "school within a school" models to personalize education based on students' strengths, demonstrating the feasibility of the human interdependence paradigm. 

- Zhao advocates for a mindset shift in education to prioritize happiness, meaningful lives, and societal inclusivity over grades, test scores, and college placement. 

Education Research Report: Food preferences, stigma among reasons students don’t eat free school meals https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/07/food-preferences-stigma-among-reasons.html

Education Research Report: Food Preferences and Stigma Affecting Free School Meal Participation

### Key Points

- During the Covid-19 pandemic, free school meals were provided universally, but many students still declined them due to factors beyond cost. 

- A study by nutrition researchers identified barriers to participation, including preferences for home-cooked meals or fast food, perceptions of meal healthiness, and stigma associated with free meals. 

- Researchers analyzed survey data from 599 foodservice directors in California and Maine and conducted follow-up interviews with 49 participants. 

- Three major barriers were highlighted: concerns about food healthiness, preference for eating at home or elsewhere, and stigma tied to the perception that only lower-income students eat school meals. 

- Recommendations for improving participation include scratch cooking, incorporating student feedback, and extending lunch periods to reduce logistical challenges and stigma. 

Curmudgucation: AI Is Bad At Grading Essays (Chapter #412,277) https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/ai-bad 

The article discusses the shortcomings of AI-based essay grading systems, particularly ChatGPT, emphasizing their inability to accurately evaluate writing and their inherent biases. It critiques the reliance on algorithmic tools for essay scoring, highlighting the negative implications for education and student performance.

### Key Points

- AI tools like ChatGPT are ineffective at grading essays, as they rely on proxies for writing quality rather than understanding or reading. 

- Robograding systems have consistently failed over the years, with examples of nonsensical essays receiving high scores from these tools. 

- ChatGPT exhibits bias in grading, particularly against Black students, contradicting claims of objectivity in AI systems. 

- Using AI for essay grading undermines the fundamental purpose of writing: communication between humans. 

- The reliance on AI grading tools reflects a problematic focus on output over process in modern educational reform. 

CURMUDGUCATION: The Problem With Parent Power https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-problem-with-parent-power.html 

The article critiques the concept of "parent power" in education, particularly as promoted by voucher advocates. It argues that such policies exacerbate inequality by favoring wealthy families while neglecting systemic reforms that could address disparities. The author suggests alternatives like equitable funding, removing discriminatory practices in private schools, and emphasizing shared societal responsibility for education.

### Key Points

- The concept of "parent power" in education often favors affluent families over disadvantaged ones, highlighting unequal access to resources. 

- Voucher systems typically benefit wealthy families, failing to address the power imbalance between different socioeconomic groups. 

- Proposed solutions include indexed vouchers, equitable school funding, and removing discriminatory practices in private schools, but these ideas face resistance due to wealth redistribution concerns. 

- The author emphasizes that education should be a shared societal responsibility, benefiting all children and the country, rather than relying solely on individual parental power. 

- Valorizing "parent power" perpetuates inequity and undermines the broader goal of equal educational opportunities. 

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Candidates 2025 Update, July 17 https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2025/07/seattle-school-board-candidates-2025.html?spref=tw 

### Key Points

- The Seattle Times endorsed Sarah Clark for District 2, highlighting her support for expanding the Highly Capable Cohort and reactivating the Budget and Finance Committees, criticizing the current Student Outcomes Focused Governance (SOFG) model. 

- Sarah Clark criticized SOFG for limiting financial oversight and hindering critical decision-making, signaling potential changes if elected. 

- Candidate statements from the Seattle Primary Election Video Voters' Guide revealed mixed levels of engagement and messaging, with some candidates not participating. 

- District 4 candidate Gloria Suella Menchaca emphasized her scientific background, while Joe Mizrahi highlighted transparency and trust, and Laura Marie Rivera stressed values and change. 

- District 5 candidates discussed diverse priorities, including budgeting clarity, protecting marginalized students, and addressing systemic issues. Janis White stood out for her focus on student mental health. 

- The Stranger's endorsements varied, with Kathleen Smith (D2), Joe Mizrahi (D4), and Vivian Song (D5) receiving support, though their reasoning sometimes appeared inconsistent or dismissive of other candidates. 

- Broader concerns about nepotism in Seattle Public Schools were mentioned, reflecting ongoing issues with personnel management and promotions. 

Schools Matter: Nothing in the NY Times about Any of This, But If It Had Been Biden . . . http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/07/nothing-in-ny-times-about-any-of-this.html 

### Key Points

- The blog highlights the significance of poverty over teacher quality in affecting education outcomes, emphasizing systemic issues like privatization, censorship, and indoctrination in schools. 

- It critiques the influence of corporate insiders on education reform, calling out the focus on testing and compliance rather than addressing root societal issues like poverty. 

- The author discusses political and social topics, including the legacy of convicted felon presidents, the privatization agenda, and the impact of big pharmaceutical companies on child welfare in schools. 

- The blog archives a wide range of educational critiques, essay reviews, and historical analyses, including topics like No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the role of education in societal inequities. 

Why Fascists Fear Teachers - Penguin Random House https://sites.prh.com/whyfascistsfearteachers 

WATCH: Teachers vs. fascists Teachers union leader Randi Weingarten on why Trump fears educators, how the Democratic Party has to change, and why A.I. will transform learning itself https://the.ink/p/watch-teachers-vs-fascists?utm_source=substack&utm_content=feed%3Arecommended%3Acopy_link 

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, discusses the challenges facing public education, democracy, and societal progress. Topics include the politicization of education, the Democratic Party's need for inclusivity, and the transformative impact of AI on learning. She also reflects on her resignation from the Democratic National Committee, the importance of engaging with concerned parents, and lessons from the gay rights movement. While many praise her advocacy, some critics accuse her of aligning with tech billionaires and undermining public education.

### Key Points

- Randi Weingarten explains why education is targeted by the right and highlights the fears fascists have regarding teachers. 

- She emphasizes the need for the Democratic Party to expand its tent and address parental concerns about social change. 

- Weingarten discusses the future of education in the context of AI and addictive technologies. 

- Her interview sparked positive reactions about her insights and leadership, though some criticized her alleged ties to tech billionaires and their influence on public education. 

- Critics argue that her support of AI and partnerships with corporations may harm the teaching profession and public schools. 

Volunteer Opportunities, Events, and Petitions Near Me · AFT on Mobilize

https://www.mobilize.us/aft/?org_ids=7229 

Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights

A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!

7-17-25

  https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/07/yesterdays-gems-todays-insights-roundup_01529595144.html

The article provides a comprehensive roundup of recent blog posts, studies, and discussions on key topics such as public education, Supreme Court rulings, immigration policy, AI in classrooms, and political controversies. It highlights systemic issues like privatization, censorship, socio-economic inequality, and the erosion of democracy, while emphasizing the importance of advocacy, ethical education practices, and defending vulnerable communities.

### Key Points  

- Supreme Court ruling allows Trump to dismantle the Department of Education without Congressional approval, raising concerns about constitutional checks and balances.   

- The Supreme Court ruled in Mahmoud v. Taylor that exposing students to ideas conflicting with their parents' religious beliefs violates the First Amendment, potentially undermining public education.   

- U.S. immigration policy has evolved significantly, from racial quotas in the 1924 Johnson-Reed Act to the impacts of Title 42 under Trump and reform efforts under Biden.   

- AI’s integration in education raises concerns about bias, misinformation, privacy, and corporate influence, despite its potential benefits.   

- Teacher Tom advocates for play-based learning, emphasizing child-led education to foster critical thinking and collaboration.   

- Delaware State Auditor investigates Appoquinimink School District for a $5 million budget shortfall, highlighting systemic fiscal issues.   

- Diquat, a toxic herbicide replacing glyphosate, poses significant health risks, yet remains widely used due to weak U.S. pesticide regulations.   

- Union leadership faces criticism over healthcare decisions, including Medicare Advantage plans, and COPE contributions for political causes.   

- Former President Obama calls for bold leadership to defend equity, academic freedom, and institutional values against political pressures.   

- Randi Weingarten discusses the politicization of education, AI’s transformative impact, and the importance of addressing parental concerns.   

- Grassroots movements and advocacy groups combat authoritarianism, privatization, and censorship in public education.   

- Misinformation about student reading proficiency perpetuates ineffective education reforms and disproportionately impacts marginalized populations.