Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
Denver: Will Dark Money Buy the School Board? https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/09/denver-will-dark-money-but-the-school-board/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Denver school board elections are increasingly shaped by expensive campaigns funded by billionaire-backed organizations promoting charter schools.
- Groups like Denver Families Action use misleading names to appear as grassroots organizations, but they are funded by external billionaires.
- Billionaire-driven strategies aim to expand charter schools, close neighborhood schools, and reduce union influence, weakening democratic control.
- Critics warn that these efforts erode local governance and risk prioritizing external agendas over community needs.
- The upcoming elections challenge voters to decide between supporting local voices or allowing billionaire-backed interests to dominate public school policy.
Thom Hartmann: Trump Orders Murder of 11 People on a Boat in International Waters https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/09/thom-hartmann-trump-orders-murder-of-11-people-on-a-boat-in-international-waters/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Trump ordered the attack on a boat in international waters, killing 11 people, claiming they were gang members smuggling drugs, but no evidence was provided.
- The boat was small and unlikely to carry significant amounts of drugs, raising doubts about the justification for the attack.
- The author condemns the lawlessness of the act, contrasting it with historical precedents where U.S. presidents sought legal or congressional approval for military actions.
- The incident is described as murder on the high seas, undermining America's claim to moral leadership and normalizing authoritarian behavior.
- Critics fear this sets a dangerous precedent, enabling unchecked presidential power to target dissidents or political opponents.
- Commenters question the motives behind the attack and criticize the Trump administration's disregard for laws and human rights.
The Atlantic: Other World Leaders Laugh at Trump https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/09/the-atlantic-other-world-leaders-laugh-at-trump/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Tom Nichols argues that authoritarian leaders mock Trump, considering him unserious and unworthy of respect.
- Trump was excluded from a meeting celebrating Japan’s WWII defeat, showcasing his diminished global influence.
- Putin manipulated Trump during their summit, embarrassing him publicly and disregarding planned events.
- Readers of the blog express concerns about Trump’s dangerous behavior and his impact on U.S. and global stability.
Big Education Ape: THE AI SMACKDOWN: I CHALLENGED THE AI OVERLORDS ON TEACHER GRIPES ABOUT BOTS IN THE CLASSROOM, AND BOY, DID THEY DELIVER https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-ai-smackdown-i-challenged-ai.html
### Key Points
- Teachers express concerns about AI enabling academic dishonesty and hindering skill development, such as critical thinking and problem-solving.
- AI tools often perpetuate biases and inaccuracies, raising ethical concerns about their use in classrooms.
- Privacy and security issues arise from AI's collection of student data, with fears of breaches and misuse.
- Equity gaps are exacerbated as wealthier districts benefit from better AI tools, leaving underprivileged students behind.
- AI's overuse can reduce social interaction, isolate students, and diminish teacher roles, impacting emotional and motivational development.
- Teachers report feeling unprepared due to lack of training and support for integrating AI into their teaching methods.
- AI's potential for workload reduction is offset by the additional effort required to verify its outputs and adapt its tools effectively.
- Concerns about AI's environmental impact, cost sustainability, and vendor lock-in complicate its implementation.
- Strategies recommended include clearer AI usage policies, professional development, equity-focused access, and process-based grading.
- AI literacy lessons and controlled scaffolding can help mitigate risks while fostering critical thinking and ethical use.
- Teachers emphasize the need for systemic policies to address AI challenges, ensuring it enhances rather than undermines education.
Big Education Ape: THE NATION’S REPORT CARD: A TALE OF DEEP DOO-DOO, BILLIONAIRES, AND THE BIG LIE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-nations-report-card-tale-of-deep.html
### Key Points
- The Nation's Report Card shows significant declines in student performance, with science, math, and reading scores dropping since 2019.
- Poverty and income inequality are major drivers of poor educational outcomes, yet often overlooked in discussions about reform.
- Privatization efforts, including charter schools and vouchers, have deepened inequalities and led to resegregation in education.
- Billionaires and corporate interests push privatization for profit, ignoring its negative impact on public schools and disadvantaged students.
- Addressing poverty and fully funding public schools, especially in low-income areas, are essential steps to improve education.
Big Education Ape: THE BOY WHO CRIED CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDAL: A MODERN FABLE OF WOLVES, BILLIONAIRES, AND THE DEVOURING OF PUBLIC EDUCATION https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-boy-who-cried-charter-school.html
BIG EDUCATION APE explores the ongoing issues surrounding charter schools and voucher programs in California. The article uses a modern fable to highlight the privatization of public education, driven by billionaire-backed initiatives, and the systemic fraud and mismanagement within the charter school system. It emphasizes the growing financial scandals, lack of oversight, and the impact on public education, calling for grassroots resistance and legislative reforms.
### Key Points
- California's charter school system faces widespread fraud, mismanagement, and scandals, with billions of public funds misused.
- Billionaire-backed organizations like the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) aggressively push for charter expansion, influencing elections and blocking reforms.
- Activists like Sharon Higgins and organizations such as the Network for Public Education (NPE) fight against privatization and expose charter school failures.
- The A3 Education scandal exemplifies systemic issues, with executives siphoning millions through fraudulent student enrollments.
- Reports call for stricter oversight, mandatory audits, and fraud risk assessments to prevent further exploitation of public funds.
Big Education Ape: UPDATE YESTERDAY'S AI EDUCATION NEWS: Genius Insights or Digital Spitballs? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/update-yesterdays-ai-education-news.html
Ohio Charter Schools Prove Private Sector Less Efficient than Public Sector An astonishing 447 Ohio school districts (out of 607) spend less per pupil than one Ohio charter school spends per pupil ... just on Administration! https://10thperiod.substack.com/p/ohio-charter-schools-prove-private
Ohio Charter Schools Prove Private Sector Less Efficient than Public Sector
- Ohio charter schools spend significantly more per pupil on administration compared to public school districts, with some charter schools spending more on administration than most public districts spend overall.
- Public school districts allocate a higher percentage of their funding to classroom instruction and student services, demonstrating greater efficiency in utilizing resources.
- Over the last decade, the gap in classroom spending between public and charter schools has widened, with public schools increasing investment in student services while charter schools have cut back on such spending.
- The Graham School, a charter school in Columbus, spends more per pupil on administration than 447 out of 607 Ohio school districts spend in total.
- Only seven public school districts in Ohio spend more per pupil on administrators than the average charter school, highlighting the inefficiency of charter schools in managing administrative costs.
- Ohio’s charter schools and private religious schools collectively receive billions in subsidies, raising questions about the efficiency of private sector education funding.
Judge Burroughs’ Decision on Harvard Protects Freedom of Speech in Educational Institutions https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2025/09/09/court-decisions-block-trump-admin-efforts-to-impose-ideology-on-educational-institutions/ via @janresseger
### Key Points
- Judge Burroughs ruled against the Trump administration's illegal retaliation in cutting $2.6 billion in research funding for Harvard.
- Harvard's lawsuit followed demands from the Trump administration to change governance, admissions, and diversity policies.
- Judge Burroughs emphasized the constitutional protection of free speech and academic freedom.
- Judge Gallagher blocked Trump policies banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in public schools.
- Both rulings challenge attempts to undermine the 1964 Civil Rights Act and protect marginalized student groups.
- Yale Law Professor Justin Driver highlights the First Amendment's role in safeguarding academic freedom.
- Trump's administration sought to impose ideological control on educational institutions.
Supreme Court is Colorblind in Classrooms and Color-Conscious for Cages – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/09/09/supreme-court-is-colorblind-in-classrooms-and-color-conscious-for-cages/
### Key Points
- The Supreme Court's conservative majority has upheld racial profiling in immigration enforcement, allowing Latino appearance and Spanish language to be factors in "reasonable suspicion."
- Justice Brett Kavanaugh justified this decision by claiming ethnicity alone isn't enough but can be a relevant factor alongside other cues like job type or location.
- Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, warning this decision normalizes racial profiling and undermines constitutional protections.
- The Court's decision contrasts sharply with its rejection of race-conscious college admissions, where it claimed the Constitution must be "colorblind."
- This double standard highlights a selective approach: opposing race-conscious benefits while endorsing race-based policing.
- The ruling risks legitimizing broader racialized policing practices, disproportionately affecting Latino citizens and lawful residents.
- Critics argue the decision reflects a racialized power dynamic, selectively applying "colorblindness" to serve political and systemic interests.
glen brown: "Just because Donald Trump barks out an executive decree does not mean it is the law of the land" https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/09/just-because-donald-trump-barks-out.html
- The article criticizes Donald Trump's attempt to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War, highlighting the impracticality, costs, and superficiality of such changes.
- It emphasizes the misuse of military resources under Trump, including diverting personnel for domestic law enforcement and symbolic actions that undermine military morale and public trust.
- The piece underscores Trump's inability to grasp the values of military service, such as honor, discipline, and sacrifice, while trivializing the armed forces with superficial gestures and unlawful directives.
- Trump's actions, such as slashing funding for veterans and firing transgender service members, demonstrate disregard for military personnel and their contributions.
- The article calls for rejecting Trump's "rebranding" efforts and treating his actions as illegitimate and harmful to the military's integrity.
Teacher Tom: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Pickaxe https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/harry-potter-and-philosophers-pickax.html
### Key Points
- A preschooler used his passion for Minecraft and Harry Potter as a foundation for collaborative, creative play, demonstrating self-directed learning.
- Traditional schooling often prioritizes grades over genuine learning, leading to a lack of curiosity and creativity.
- The rise of AI challenges traditional educational practices, as machines can now perform tasks like writing essays, raising questions about the purpose of such assignments.
- Self-directed learning fosters critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills, which are essential for lifelong learning.
- Standard schooling distrusts children's natural ability to learn, relying on compulsion and rigid curricula.
- Childhood should be a time for pursuing passions and curiosity, not merely preparation for future careers.
- The author advocates for an education system that trusts and supports children's passions, allowing them to thrive as curious and creative individuals.
- AI's ability to summarize and produce essays raises concerns about its role in replacing the learning process, yet it also offers efficiency for adults seeking information.
- The author reflects on the limitations of standard schooling and its focus on grades, contrasting it with the joy of curiosity-driven learning.
- Parenting and teaching should focus on providing a stable, secure base of love to foster happiness and curiosity in children.
Schools Matter: New Mexico Becomes First State in U.S. to Provide Free Universal Child Care http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/09/new-mexico-becomes-first-state-in-us-to.html
### Key Points
- New Mexico will offer free universal child care starting November 1, 2025, removing income eligibility requirements and waiving family copayments.
- Families will save an average of $12,000 annually per child, promoting financial stability and equitable access to quality care.
- The initiative aims to create socioeconomic mixing among children and parents by eliminating distinctions between facilities based on affordability.
- The state is investing in expanding child care infrastructure, including a $12.7 million loan fund and a $20 million budget request for Fiscal Year 2027.
- Efforts include recruiting providers, raising reimbursement rates, and incentivizing programs offering better pay and extended hours for staff.
- Universal child care is viewed as a public good, improving outcomes for families, children, and the economy while building equity and prosperity.
- New Mexico will serve as a national model for sustainable and affordable early childhood care systems.
It was never about fighting crime Operation 'Midway Blitz' hits Chicago, but no NG troops in sight. https://klonsky.substack.com/p/it-was-never-about-fighting-crime
- Trump's administration launched "Operation Midway Blitz," deploying federal agents to enforce immigration policies in Chicago, targeting undocumented immigrants under Illinois' sanctuary policies.
- The operation has sparked criticism, with local leaders calling it a fear-driven campaign rather than a crime-fighting initiative.
- Despite threats to send National Guard troops, no military presence has been deployed in Chicago; instead, masked federal agents are conducting arrests without local law enforcement coordination.
- Critics argue the operation is ideologically motivated, targeting Democratic-run cities and leveraging fear to suppress civic engagement and immigrant voter turnout ahead of elections.
- Gun violence and crime rates are linked to poverty and income inequality, with experts advocating community-based programs over militarized interventions.
- The timing and tactics of the raids suggest political motives, with Trump using incendiary rhetoric and spectacle to intimidate and control opposition cities.
Second Breakfast: War Pigs | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/war-pigs
- The author expresses concerns about current political, social, and technological developments, including arrests of political leaders, Supreme Court decisions, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society.
- AI's integration into education and society is criticized for its unethical, environmentally destructive, and politically regressive implications, with companies like OpenAI collaborating with controversial entities.
- The exploitation of workers, particularly those involved in AI training processes, is highlighted, alongside the harmful effects of AI-generated content, including its ties to child exploitation material.
- The commercialization of AI in children's toys and education is questioned, with concerns over privacy, safety, and the manipulation of childhood experiences.
- AI's broader societal impacts, such as its role in disinformation, library scraping, and equity rollback, are discussed, with skepticism toward its purported benefits.
- The blog post criticizes the tech industry's focus on AI achievements, such as ChatGPT passing AP Biology, as misguided and emblematic of larger systemic issues.
Learning About LGBTQ Topics in School | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/newsletter-mahmoud-taylor-090925
- The article outlines the resources and publications provided by the National Education Policy Center (NEPC), including reviews, policy briefs, legislative briefs, research briefs, and memos.
- NEPC focuses on initiatives like Schools of Opportunity, Closing the Opportunity Gap, and the Research Hub for Youth Organizing, aiming to improve educational equity and access.
- A specific Q&A discusses the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, concerning faith-based objections to LGBTQ-related school materials.
- NEPC offers resources on LGBTQ issues and encourages learning about such topics in schools.
- Contact and search options are available for NEPC publications, categorized by word, phrase, topic, author, or year.
Teachers Adopting and Using Technology in U.S. Schools: Who Decides? https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2025/09/09/teachers-adopting-and-using-technology-in-u-s-schools-who-decides/ via @CubanLarry
- Teachers are considered the most important in-school factor for student learning, yet they have minimal involvement in decisions about technology adoption in classrooms.
- Policymakers, not teachers, often decide on purchasing and deploying new technologies, sidelining teachers from the decision-making process.
- Other professions, like doctors and lawyers, are typically consulted about the technologies they use, unlike teachers in school districts.
- Some teachers creatively integrate new technologies into lessons, but they represent a small fraction of the teaching workforce.
- Excluding teachers from technology decision-making undermines their professional judgment and leads to implementation challenges.
- Involving teachers in piloting and decision-making could improve technology integration and foster expertise among educators.
- Treating teachers as professionals in technology decisions could lead to better-informed choices and potentially greater adoption of new tools.
Education Research Report: New Report: 2024 Science at Grade 8 https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/09/new-report-2024-science-at-grade-8_9.html
- The article discusses the NAEP 2024 science assessment results for eighth-grade students, including overall average science scores on a 0 to 300 scale.
- Performance is analyzed across three achievement levels: NAEP Basic, NAEP Proficient, and NAEP Advanced.
- Results are broken down by content areas: Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth and Space Sciences.
- The report includes performance data for various student groups based on race/ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, disabilities, and English learner status.
- Information is provided on student engagement in science both at school and outside of school, along with sample assessment questions.
Education Research Report: New Report: 2024 Reading at Grade 12 - Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
- The article discusses the NAEP 2024 reading assessment results for 12th-grade students, focusing on average scores (0-500 scale) and changes in performance compared to previous years.
- It highlights the percentages of students achieving three levels of NAEP reading proficiency: Basic, Proficient, and Advanced.
- Results are broken down by demographic groups, including race/ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, disabilities, and English learner status.
- The report includes insights into students' reading opportunities both in and out of school and sample assessment question performance.
- The complete report can be accessed via the provided link.
WHAT DOES THE NATION’S REPORT CARD REALLY TELL US? A DIVE INTO AMERICA’S EDUCATIONAL ABYSS https://ru4people.substack.com/p/what-does-the-nations-report-card
### Key Points
- The Nation’s Report Card reveals declines in science, math, and reading scores, reflecting systemic issues in education.
- Poverty significantly impacts student achievement, creating a widening gap between wealthier and poorer students.
- Privatization of education exacerbates segregation and inequality, favoring wealthy families while underfunding public schools.
- Cuts to the Department of Education have hampered progress tracking, worsening academic outcomes.
- The narrative blaming bad teachers ignores structural problems like poverty and resource deprivation in public schools.
- Reform requires investments in public schools, addressing segregation, and treating education as a public good rather than a business venture.
AI is More Con than Reality | tultican https://tultican.com/2025/09/09/ai-is-more-con-than-reality/
### Key Points
- AI is misrepresented as intelligent; it is based on algorithms and driven by FOMO rather than utility.
- Large Language Models (LLMs) produce plausible but misleading outputs, lacking human thought.
- AI technologies consume massive energy, water, and resources, posing environmental challenges.
- Major tech companies fail to meet climate pledges due to AI's resource demands.
- AI development involves data theft, labor exploitation, and harmful incentives.
- The debate between AI "Boosters" and "Doomers" distracts from real automation harms.
- Claims of AGI and intelligence are tied to biased historical concepts and modern eugenics.
- Billionaires use AI hype for profit while AGI remains unlikely.
- AI's inefficiencies harm education, healthcare, and scientific inquiry.
CURMUDGUCATION: How The Youngs Can Get Ahead https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/09/how-youngs-can-get-ahead.html
### Key Points
- Criticism of Tim Gurner's 2017 comments blaming millennials' financial struggles on frivolous spending like expensive avocado toast.
- Joel Kotkin's advice for millennials to move to cheaper areas, pursue trades, marry, and buy homes is critiqued for ignoring systemic challenges like unaffordable housing and low-paying jobs.
- Kotkin's dismissal of millennials' struggles as personal failings, including accusations of laziness and escapism, reflects generational disconnect and lack of empathy.
- The article advocates for more realistic approaches to preparing younger generations for success, moving beyond outdated narratives of "work hard and everything will fall into place."
Why Democrats Keep Losing to Trump — and How Newsom Could Change That https://www.changethelausd.com/why_democrats_keep_losing_to_trump_and_how_newsom_could_change_that
### Key Points
- Democrats historically fail to counter Republican emotional tactics, relying heavily on facts.
- Trump’s cult of personality makes fact-based opposition ineffective. Democrats only succeeded during COVID when reality caused undeniable pain.
- Gavin Newsom displays a fighting spirit reminiscent of his defiance of Bush’s policies but needs to back his rhetoric with impactful actions.
- Proposed actions for Newsom include holding National Guard troops accountable, enforcing laws against ICE violations, and reclaiming federal funds for state priorities.
- Newsom’s success in combating Trump could make him a strong contender for the 2028 elections, but immediate action is crucial to protect vulnerable populations.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
The article provides a comprehensive roundup of recent societal, political, and educational issues. Topics range from charter school scandals, AI integration in education, climate change, and parental rights laws to systemic reforms and advocacy efforts. It highlights the challenges posed by privatization, misuse of funds, lack of oversight, and authoritarian tendencies while emphasizing equity, transparency, and grassroots activism.
### Key Points
- Kristen Buras' book examines systemic neglect faced by Black communities, focusing on the closure of George Washington Carver High School in New Orleans.
- Sacramento charter school Highlands Community Charter misused $180 million, revealing systemic issues in adult charter schools. Legislative efforts are underway for accountability.
- Federal courts struck down multiple Trump policies, showcasing legal resistance against authoritarian tendencies.
- SCOTUS upheld ICE "roving patrols," raising concerns about racial profiling and Fourth Amendment violations.
- California's charter school system faces widespread fraud and privatization efforts, driven by billionaire-backed initiatives.
- Texas's SB 12 and similar parental rights laws harm children by denying critical medical care without parental consent, especially in abusive situations.
- AI tools like Gemini, Grok, Copilot, and ChatGPT-4 show limitations in summarizing education trends and addressing nuanced issues.
- Climate models accurately predict global warming effects, emphasizing the need for solar energy and sustainable solutions.
- Advocacy for equitable education, transparency in school closures, and community engagement remains a priority in Seattle and nationwide.
- Joy is framed as a transformative force in education and activism, emphasizing resilience, creativity, and communal power.
- AI's role in education is growing, but its inability to address social and motivational needs limits its effectiveness.
- Public education funding cuts and privatization efforts continue to undermine equitable access to quality education.
