Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights

A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
7-2-25

Glenn Sacks: I Teach Immigrant Kids in an L.A. High School: Here's the Truth https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/01/glenn-sacks-i-teach-immigrant-kids-in-an-l-a-high-school-heres-the-truth/ via @dianeravitch 

Glenn Sacks, a veteran social studies teacher in Los Angeles, shares his experiences teaching immigrant and undocumented students. He highlights their struggles, resilience, and contributions to society amidst the Trump administration's harsh immigration policies. Sacks discusses the students' challenges, such as working to support families, overcoming trauma, and balancing education with economic pressures. He emphasizes the economic and societal value of immigrants, countering negative stereotypes and advocating for their rights and dignity.

### Key Points

- Glenn Sacks discusses the lives of immigrant and undocumented students in Los Angeles, highlighting their resilience and challenges. 

- Many students and families face fear due to ICE raids and immigration policies, yet they strive to achieve educational and personal goals. 

- Immigrants significantly contribute to the U.S. economy through taxes and labor, contrary to claims that they exploit public benefits. 

- Students pursue education, military service, or jobs to improve their lives and support their families, often making sacrifices. 

- Sacks counters anti-immigrant rhetoric, emphasizing immigrants' integral role in communities and their positive impact on society. 

Carol Burris: Update on the School Funds in Trump's Big Ugly Budget Bill https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/01/carol-burris-update-on-the-school-funds-in-trumps-big-ugly-budget-bill/ via @dianeravitch 

Carol Burris: Update on the School Funds in Trump’s Big Ugly Budget Bill By diane ravitch July 1, 2025  Most attention has focused on the horrible cuts to Medicaid and food assistance (SNAP) in the bill just passed by the GOP majority in the Senate. It has some differences with the version passed by the GOP House, so there will be changes and compromises. Carol Burris, executive director of the Network for Public Educaruon, wrote this update on the education portion of the Senate bill that passed, called the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA). She refers to the Big Ugly Budget Bill as BBB. She writes: Despite the efforts of Democratic senators to get the Parliamentarian to override ECC

### Key Points

- The Senate GOP's "Big Ugly Budget Bill" (BBB) includes major cuts to Medicaid and food assistance (SNAP), with additional compromises expected as it moves forward. 

- The Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), part of the BBB, has been significantly altered, no longer functioning as a universal voucher program. 

- Key changes to ECCA include removing the $4 billion cap on contributions, making the program less appealing for tax shelters, and reducing the maximum credit to $1,700. States now have more regulatory control. 

- Public school students may benefit from scholarships under the bill for tutoring, courses, or tests, though implementation depends on state-level decisions. 

- The bill will return to the House for further revisions, and its final structure remains uncertain. 

How Republicans Preserve White Supremacy https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/01/how-texas-republicans-preserve-white-supremacy/ via @dianeravitch 

A blog post on Diane Ravitch's site discusses the preservation of white supremacy through gerrymandering and voter suppression, focusing on recent events in Tarrant County, Texas. The article highlights how redistricting maps and political maneuvers target Black and Hispanic communities to diminish their political representation. The post underscores the historical and ongoing struggles against systemic racism in voting and governance.

### Key Points

- The blog explains how gerrymandering and redistricting suppress Black and Hispanic representation in Texas, drawing parallels to historical events like the Greenwood Food Blockade in 1962. 

- In Tarrant County, a redistricting map was approved that eliminated the seat of Alisa Simmons, the only Black woman on the Commissioners Court, as retaliation for her opposition to racist policies. 

- The Republican majority claims the redistricting is for political advantage, but it is deeply tied to racial discrimination, a tactic defended by prominent Texas Republicans. 

- The article critiques how these efforts are part of a broader strategy to maintain white supremacy by silencing communities of color and advancing far-right political agendas. 

- The post highlights the coordinated political actions, including candidate placements and district modifications, to further suppress minority voices. 

Republicans Race to Pass the World's Worst Legislation to Please Trump https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/01/republicans-race-to-pass-the-worlds-worst-legislation-to-please-trump/ via @dianeravitch 

The article criticizes the rushed and chaotic legislative process surrounding Donald Trump's "Big Ugly Budget Bill," highlighting its lack of transparency, harmful provisions, and potential consequences for vulnerable populations. It discusses the bill's major components, including tax cuts, Medicaid cuts, immigration enforcement increases, and controversial amendments, while emphasizing the dysfunction in Congress and the potential fallout for Trump's own supporters.

### Key Points

- The "Big Ugly Budget Bill" is being hastily pushed through Congress under pressure from Trump, with many senators unaware of its full contents. 

- The bill combines various measures, including tax cuts and budget reconciliation, to bypass filibuster rules, but lacks hearings or proper analysis. 

- Controversial provisions, such as a new tax on wind and solar projects, have been added last minute, causing confusion among senators. 

- The bill includes significant Medicaid cuts, immigration enforcement increases, and tax breaks for the wealthy, likely harming poorer, rural Trump supporters. 

- Despite potential negative impacts, Trump supporters largely dismiss concerns, assuming the cuts will affect others. 

The Senate Passes Trump's Big Ugly Budget Deal, and Vouchers Are in It https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/01/update-vouchers-have-been-restored-in-the-big-ugly-budget-deal/ via @dianeravitch 

The article discusses the passage of a controversial budget bill in the U.S. Senate under the Trump administration. The bill includes significant tax cuts for the wealthy, major cuts to Medicaid, and the reinstatement of a national private school voucher program, which diverts public funds to private and religious schools. Critics highlight the inequities and lack of accountability associated with the voucher system, as well as its potential to harm public education.

### Key Points

- The Senate passed a budget bill that renews tax cuts for the wealthy and cuts $1 trillion from Medicaid. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote. 

- The bill reinstates a national private school voucher program, which critics argue represents a massive wealth transfer from the poorest to the richest Americans. 

- Amendments to remove the voucher provision failed by just one vote, despite efforts from Democratic senators. 

- Key changes to the voucher program include unlimited tax credits for donors, state opt-in requirements, and federal regulation of private schools receiving vouchers. 

- Critics, including the National Coalition for Public Education, argue that the voucher program diverts funds from public schools and enables discrimination in private schools. 

Randi Weingarten: Trump's Big Bad Bill Is Good for His Billionaire Buddies https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/01/randi-weingarten-trump-big-bad-bill-is-good-for-his-billionaire-buddies/ via @dianeravitch 

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, criticized the Senate's approval of President Trump's budget bill, labeling it a "billionaire tax scam." She argued that the bill prioritizes tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of working families, affecting healthcare, education, and public services. Weingarten emphasized the bill's negative impact on public schools through vouchers, which she claims benefit affluent families. She called for an alternative approach focused on working-class tax cuts and full funding for education.

### Key Points

- Randi Weingarten criticized the Senate's approval of Trump's budget bill, calling it a "billionaire tax scam." 

- The bill is said to prioritize tax cuts for the wealthy, affecting healthcare, education, and public services. 

- Weingarten highlighted the negative impact on public schools due to vouchers benefiting affluent families. 

- She advocates for an alternative focused on working-class tax cuts and full education funding. 

David Dayen: What Else Is Included in the Big Ugly Budget Bill? https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/01/david-dayen-what-else-is-included-in-the-big-ugly-budget-bill/ via @dianeravitch 

This article discusses the controversial passage of a Republican-sponsored budget bill, highlighting its impact on public education, social programs, and environmental initiatives. The bill, narrowly passed in the Senate, includes provisions favoring tax cuts for the wealthy while cutting Medicaid and other critical programs. Specific deals were made to secure votes, including benefits for Alaska. The legislation has sparked criticism for prioritizing wealthy interests over vulnerable populations.

### Key Points

- The bill significantly cuts Medicaid and other social programs while providing tax cuts favoring the wealthy. 

- Senator Lisa Murkowski's vote was secured through provisions benefiting Alaska, such as SNAP waivers and tax breaks for fishing villages. 

- Renewable energy tax credits were partially preserved, but the overall phase-out will still harm clean energy development. 

- A rural hospital fund was increased to $50 billion, though it doesn't compensate for the deep Medicaid cuts. 

- The bill faces opposition from the House Freedom Caucus and moderates due to spending cuts and other controversial provisions. 

Senate Passes A Different Version Of Federal School Vouchers https://open.substack.com/pub/curmudgucation/p/senate-passes-a-different-version?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false 

### Key Points

- The Senate passed a version of the federal school voucher tax shelter bill different from the House version, despite an attempt to remove the voucher language. 

- The Senate version proposes a tax credit scholarship program, allowing taxpayers to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for contributions, but without a cap on the tax revenue given up, unlike the House version. 

- The House version permits donors to contribute up to 10% of their income, while the Senate version limits contributions to $1,700. 

- The House version imposes school vouchers on states without existing programs, whereas the Senate version allows states to opt in voluntarily. 

- Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) in the Senate version are restricted to administering programs within their own states, unlike the broader scope allowed in the House version. 

Whatever Happened to Detracking? https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2025/07/01/whatever-happened-to-detracking-2/ via @CubanLarry 

Larry Cuban's article explores the history and impact of tracking and detracking in U.S. schools, particularly in math education. Tracking, which began in the early 20th century, groups students by ability and performance into different academic paths. Detracking emerged as a reform to promote equal access to advanced courses and reduce societal inequalities. While detracking has shown some success in improving opportunities for underperforming students without harming high achievers, its implementation remains inconsistent, with many schools continuing to use modified tracking systems.

### Key Points

- Tracking originated in the 1920s to group students by ability and performance, creating separate academic paths such as college prep, general, and vocational tracks. 

- Detracking, introduced in the 1960s, aimed to combat inequalities by allowing all students access to advanced courses, regardless of ability. 

- Detracking has shown mixed results: it has improved opportunities for low-achieving students while maintaining performance levels for high achievers but has not completely replaced tracking in many schools. 

- Despite detracking efforts, the majority of schools still use modified tracking, particularly in math, while mixed grouping remains more common in subjects like English and social studies. 

New Ohio Budget Dangerously Cuts Public School Funding, Favors Individualism, and Sacrifices Public Institutions https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2025/07/01/new-ohio-budget-dangerously-cuts-public-school-funding-favors-individualism-and-sacrifices-public-institutions/ via @janresseger 

Ohio's newly approved two-year budget prioritizes tax cuts for the wealthy, increased funding for private school vouchers, and reduced support for public schools and libraries. Despite the adoption of the Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP) framework, the legislature failed to fully fund it, leaving public schools underfunded by over $2.5 billion. The budget shifts more financial responsibility to local school districts and emphasizes individualism over public institutions, sparking concerns about its long-term impact on public education and equity.

### Key Points

- Ohio's new budget cuts taxes for the wealthy, underfunds public schools, increases funding for private school vouchers, and reduces support for public libraries. 

- The budget replaces Ohio's graduated income tax with a flat tax, benefiting high-income earners and reducing state revenue by $1.1 billion annually. 

- The Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP), designed to address funding disparities among districts, remains underfunded, with the state covering a declining percentage of public school costs. 

- Public schools will receive $281.9 million more in funding, while private school vouchers will see a $327.1 million increase, despite public schools serving significantly more students. 

- Governor DeWine vetoed some harmful provisions, such as limiting school district carryover balances and partisan school board elections, but many damaging budget measures remain. 

How Colorado charter schools align with Trump’s vision for K-12 education  - Network For Public Education https://networkforpubliceducation.org/how-colorado-charter-schools-align-with-trumps-vision-for-k-12-education/ 

### Key Points

- The article discusses how Colorado's charter school growth aligns with former President Donald Trump’s vision for K-12 education, emphasizing support from billionaire and corporate interests. 

- It highlights that the charter school expansion in Colorado is driven by ideological goals from arch-conservative groups closely tied to the Trump administration. 

- The Network for Public Education is mentioned as an organization advocating for public schools and accepting tax-deductible donations to support its mission. 

Teacher Tom: The Present is Our Business https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-present-is-our-business.html 

The article discusses the impact of smartphones on parenting, teaching, and childhood development, emphasizing the importance of staying present in the moment with children. It explores the pros and cons of technology, its historical context, and its influence on human behavior and relationships, particularly the reduction in verbal engagement with infants due to smartphone use. The author advocates focusing on the present and loving children for who they are now, rather than worrying excessively about the future.

### Key Points

- Cooperative preschool parents assist in classrooms and face challenges balancing smartphone use with their responsibilities. 

- Smartphones enhance documentation and access to information but also bring debates about their impact on education and children's development. 

- Technology, like smartphones, changes human abilities, sometimes enhancing them while diminishing others, as seen throughout history. 

- Research shows smartphone use by caretakers reduces verbal engagement with infants, which is crucial for language development. 

- Parents today spend more time with children than in past decades, potentially offsetting some negative impacts of smartphone distractions. 

- The article emphasizes living in the present and prioritizing love and connection with children over concerns about future predictions. 

Education Research Report: The Impact of Evictions on Children: Evicted children are more likely to be chronically absent from school https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-impact-of-evictions-on-children.html

The Impact of Evictions on Children: Evicted children are more likely to be chronically absent from school

### Key Points

- Evicted children are more likely to experience homelessness and housing instability, with increased chances of living in multigenerational or "doubled-up" households. 

- Eviction raises school absenteeism rates by 2.4 percentage points and increases chronic absenteeism by 9 percentage points, leading to a 21% rise compared to non-evicted peers. 

- Evicted children are 5.3 percentage points more likely to repeat a grade and are less likely to complete high school, with a 12.5 percentage point decrease in graduation rates. 

- Boys face particularly negative academic outcomes due to eviction. 

- Children in families facing eviction cases already showed higher absenteeism and lower academic performance before the eviction process began. 

- The study uses the random assignment of judges to assess the causal impact of eviction on children's welfare. 

Education Research Report: Negative effects from grade retention after 8th Grade https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/07/negative-effects-from-grade-retention.html 

Education Research Report Tuesday, July 1, 2025 Negative effects from grade retention after 8th Grade Debates about grade retention weigh the academic benefits of remediation against its social and psychological costs. Louisiana adopted a retention policy aimed at capturing these benefits while mitigating the harm. It used test score thresholds to distinguish between retention in grade 8, promotion to grade 9, and a grade “8.5” where students would move with their peers to high school (social promotion) but receive 8th grade instruction once there (academic remediation). This study assessed the effects of receiving these placements. By linking students’ K-12 and higher education records, the authors examine educational attainment through high school and college, finding that more retention-oriented placements result in substantially lower educational attainment at each margin: grade 8 versus 8.5, 8.5 versus 9, and 8 versus 9. This suggests negative effects from both grade retention and academic remediation when administered

### Key Points

- Louisiana implemented a retention policy using test score thresholds to decide between retention in grade 8, promotion to grade 9, or a grade “8.5” for social promotion with academic remediation. 

- The study linked students' K-12 and higher education records to evaluate the effects of these placements on educational attainment. 

- More retention-oriented placements led to significantly lower educational attainment in high school and college enrollment. 

- Negative effects from grade retention and academic remediation were observed, extending beyond high school to college enrollment but not affecting college persistence or graduation. 

The Uppity Minority: When the White Ally Isn’t – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/07/01/the-uppity-minority-when-the-white-ally-isnt/ 

The article discusses the complexities and challenges of allyship, particularly focusing on the betrayal often experienced by minorities from so-called allies who fail to stand with them when it matters most. It critiques performative allyship and emphasizes the need for genuine solidarity, courage, and principled action in the face of institutional inequities.

### Key Points

- Betrayal by supposed allies is especially painful when they fail to stand up for equity under pressure. 

- Some allies maintain a safe distance, using proximity to minorities as proof of their own virtue without risking anything. 

- Performative allyship becomes evident when allies retreat or remain silent during critical moments of conflict or injustice. 

- True allies are those who take risks, advocate for others in power, and stand firm during crises. 

- The institution rewards performative allyship that signals support without disrupting the status quo. 

- Trust in allyship should be earned through action, especially in moments of peril, not assumed based on superficial gestures. 

- The article urges minorities to remain resilient, emphasizing the importance of standing tall for justice despite betrayals, as it inspires future generations. 

Full Circle: Mumia, Teach Truth, and the Long Struggle for Liberation https://open.substack.com/pub/jessehagopian/p/full-circle-mumia-teach-truth-and?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false 

Mumia Abu-Jamal, a journalist and political prisoner, recently received a copy of Jesse Hagopian's book "Teach Truth: The Struggle for Antiracist Education," which includes a story about Mumia. The book highlights the case of Marylin Zuniga, a teacher fired for allowing students to write letters to Mumia, illustrating the state's control over education and solidarity. Hagopian reflects on his personal connection to Mumia, whose writings inspired him as a teenager. He encourages readers to engage with Mumia's work and support efforts to free him after 44 years of imprisonment.

### Key Points

- Mumia Abu-Jamal received Jesse Hagopian's book "Teach Truth," which includes a story about him. 

- The book discusses Marylin Zuniga, a teacher fired for supporting students' compassion towards Mumia, highlighting state control over education. 

- Hagopian shares his personal connection to Mumia, inspired by his writings and activism. 

- Hagopian encourages readers to read Mumia's works and support the movement to free him. 

Vouchers Unconstitutional. Now What? https://open.substack.com/pub/10thperiod/p/vouchers-unconstitutional-now-what?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Ohio's EdChoice Vouchers have been ruled unconstitutional by a Franklin County judge, as they divert funds from public schools. The proposed solution is to reallocate the voucher funds to fully support the Fair School Funding Plan, potentially adding $945 million to it. This move could enhance public education and provide property tax relief, as schools may not need additional levies. The article calls for legislative action to implement this change.

### Key Points

- Ohio’s EdChoice Vouchers were deemed unconstitutional, as they prevent adequate funding for public schools. 

- The proposed solution is to redirect voucher funds to fully finance the Fair School Funding Plan. 

- Reallocating funds could improve public education and reduce the need for property tax levies. 

- The article urges legislators to introduce legislation to enact this funding change. 

The Big Murderous Bill Is a Big Ugly Threat to Medicaid https://open.substack.com/pub/klonsky/p/the-big-murderous-bill-is-a-big-ugly?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false 

### Key Points

- The "Big Beautiful Bill," recently passed in the Senate, proposes over $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts, potentially stripping 11.8 million Americans of health coverage by 2034, with children, seniors, and disabled individuals among the most affected. 

- Medicaid cuts would lead to reduced access to life-saving services for vulnerable populations, including nursing home care for seniors and support for family caregivers, who may lose coverage unless meeting strict work or school requirements. 

- The bill imposes work requirements for Medicaid, forcing unemployed or part-time workers into low-paying jobs, a policy proven ineffective in states like Arkansas and Georgia. Many lost coverage due to bureaucratic hurdles rather than non-compliance. 

- The legislation is criticized as a tool to shrink the social safety net, benefiting the wealthy through tax cuts while penalizing the poor and working families. Advocates argue for universal healthcare instead of restrictive policies. 

Janresseger: One Way President Trump Is Trying to Weaken Civil Rights Protection in Public Schools | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/one-way 

President Donald Trump issued an executive order in April 2025 to eliminate the use of "disparate impact" as a tool in civil rights investigations, particularly in school discipline cases. "Disparate impact" identifies policies that, while neutral on the surface, disproportionately harm certain groups, such as students of color. This move overturns decades of civil rights enforcement and is expected to face legal challenges. The concept has been a key mechanism for addressing systemic discrimination in schools and other areas. Critics argue this order undermines civil rights protections, while some school districts, like Rapid City, South Dakota, plan to uphold previous agreements to combat discrimination despite federal rollbacks.

### Key Points

- President Trump’s executive order in 2025 bans the use of "disparate impact" in civil rights investigations, reversing a longstanding tool for identifying systemic discrimination. 

- The "disparate impact" concept highlights policies that disproportionately harm certain demographic groups, even if applied neutrally. It has been crucial in addressing racial disparities in school discipline. 

- Critics argue this order dismantles civil rights protections, with legal challenges expected due to prior Supreme Court rulings upholding the concept. 

- The Trump administration also terminated agreements addressing discriminatory practices, such as in Rapid City, South Dakota, though the district pledged to continue reforms. 

An Update on Federal School Vouchers https://open.substack.com/pub/theeducationreport/p/an-update-on-federal-school-vouchers?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

### Key Points

- The Senate and House have both passed versions of a federal school voucher plan, but the two versions differ significantly. 

- The federal voucher program is designed as a tax credit scholarship, allowing donors a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, which is more favorable than other donation credits. 

- The House version caps the amount of tax revenue lost and allows donors to contribute up to 10% of their income, while the Senate version has no revenue cap but limits donations to $1,700. 

- Depending on the final version, the program could cost taxpayers over $20 billion. 

Schools Matter: Mamdani’s Response to Felon47’s Threats http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/07/mamdanis-response-to-felon47s-threats.html 

### Key Points

- The blog discusses the influence of classmates on a child's learning, referencing James Coleman's 1972 statement. 

- It highlights various posts and topics, including teacher experiences, education reform, poverty's impact on education, and corporate influence on schools. 

- The blog archives span several years, showcasing a history of educational discussions and critiques. 

- Specific articles and reviews address issues like testing, teacher education, literacy, and the impact of policies like No Child Left Behind (NCLB). 

State Superintendent Thurmond, Education Leaders Call on Trump Administration to Release Billions in Illegally Impounded School Funds https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr25/yr25rel35.asp

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and other California education leaders criticized the Trump Administration for withholding billions of dollars in federal education funds allocated by Congress for the 2025-26 school year. These funds, essential for public schools, include Title I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, and IV-B, and are typically awarded annually on July 1. The California Department of Education (CDE) estimates that approximately one billion dollars for California and billions nationwide are being withheld without legal justification. Superintendent Thurmond emphasized the impact on students and educators and announced plans to pursue legal action, citing previous court victories against similar actions by the administration. Education leaders from various organizations joined Thurmond in demanding the release of the funds....

### Key Points

- State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and education leaders condemned the Trump Administration for withholding billions in federal school funds for the 2025-26 school year. 

- The withheld funds, including Title I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, and IV-B, are critical for sustaining public schools and supporting students and educators. 

- The California Department of Education estimates over one billion dollars is being withheld from California alone, with no legal justification provided. 

- Superintendent Thurmond announced plans for legal action, referencing prior court victories against similar federal overreach. 

- Education leaders from various organizations joined Thurmond in demanding the release of the funds. 

CA Dept. of Education responds as Trump administration freezes federal school funds nationwide - ABC7 Los Angeles https://abc7.com/post/ca-dept-education-responds-trump-administration-freezes-federal-school-funds-nationwide/16897862/ 

California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond criticized the Trump administration's decision to freeze federal education funds nationwide, claiming it is illegal and politically motivated. This funding, appropriated by Congress, was intended for after-school programs, English learners, migrants, and professional development. The Trump administration justified the freeze by citing non-compliance with the President's priorities, such as allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls' and women's sports. California officials plan to challenge this decision in court, emphasizing the importance of these funds for students' welfare.

### Key Points

- The Trump administration froze federal education funds nationwide, including in California, citing non-compliance with the President's political priorities. 

- California Superintendent Tony Thurmond and his team argue the move is illegal and plan to challenge it in court. 

- The withheld funds were meant for critical programs like after-school activities, services for English learners and migrants, and professional development. 

- The Trump administration's justification includes prioritizing policies such as restricting transgender athletes in sports. 

- California officials stress that withholding these funds harms students and should not be used as a political tool. 

Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights

A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!

7-1-25 

The article is a comprehensive roundup of various blog posts and reports discussing education, politics, societal challenges, and systemic reforms in the United States. Topics include controversial legislation, privatization of education, Medicaid cuts, immigration policies, and equity concerns. The discussions emphasize the need for public awareness, advocacy, and systemic reforms to address pressing issues.

### Key Points  

- The GOP's budget bill seeks to eliminate student loan relief, reduce federal student aid, and impose debt as a social control tool, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income families.   

- Indiana’s voucher program has grown to $497 million, benefiting affluent families and undermining public school systems.   

- John Merrow calls for the Democratic Party to define its principles, focusing on the public good, individual rights, and rebuilding post-Trump.   

- Jeff Bezos' wedding distracted the public from a harmful U.S. bill proposing cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and public education while funding a $5 billion school voucher program.   

- The Trump administration’s changes to IDEA reduce federal oversight, potentially jeopardizing special education services.   

- ICE policies under Trump and Biden administrations are criticized for racial profiling and reliance on private detention facilities, sparking calls for systemic reforms.   

- The "science of reading" movement, funded by billionaires, is criticized for its corporate-driven agenda and questionable effectiveness in improving education outcomes.   

- A study highlights the long-term benefits of CUNY's ACE program, including increased graduation rates and economic gains for participants.   

- Full-day kindergarten expansions have significantly influenced mothers' employment growth and reduced childcare costs.   

- Medicaid and CHIP cuts threaten coverage for 17 million people, prioritizing tax breaks for the wealthy over children's health.   

- Arizona's legislative session failed to improve public education funding, maintaining its low national ranking.   

- Activists protested against healthcare cuts, emphasizing the devastating impact on vulnerable communities and urging collective action.   

- The Roberts Supreme Court rulings emphasize state rights, creating fragmented legal landscapes on issues like abortion, voting rights, and same-sex marriage.   

- Advocacy groups emphasize grassroots organizing to address public education challenges and societal inequities.