DECEMBER 3, 2025
- Bipartisan Scrutiny on Caribbean Drug Boat Strikes: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended a secondary U.S. strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean, citing the "fog of war," amid accusations of potential war crimes and execution without trial. The White House faces questions over command authority for the attacks.
- National Guard Shooting Suspect Pleads Not Guilty: The Afghan migrant accused of shooting two National Guard troops near the White House on November 26 pleaded not guilty via video from his hospital bed; the case is being investigated as terrorism.
- Winter Storm Alerts for 75 Million Americans: A bomb cyclone is rapidly strengthening along the Northeast coast, bringing snow, ice, and disruptions from Kansas to Maine, affecting travel and power.
- Republican Wins Tennessee Special Election: Matt Van Epps secured the U.S. House seat in Tennessee's 7th District in a nationally watched race, maintaining GOP control despite Democratic gains in 2025 special elections.
- Tennessee Special Election Tests Trump's Influence: Republican Matt Van Epps won the House seat in a deep-red district, aided by over $1 million from Trump's MAGA Inc. PAC, amid Democratic overperformance in 2025 specials by an average of 16 points.
- Trump Pardons Former Honduran President: President Trump pardoned the ex-leader, accused by U.S. officials of leading one of the world's largest drug-trafficking operations, sparking debate on foreign policy leniency.
- Cabinet Meeting Highlights Boat Strike Controversy: During a White House Cabinet session, Hegseth addressed the drug boat strikes under bipartisan fire, while Trump dismissed health concerns and touted deportations nearing 2 million.
- Honduras Election Heats Up with U.S. Endorsement: Trump's backing of a conservative candidate has injected uncertainty into the tight presidential race, with early results showing conservatives leading.
- U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Yield Limited Progress: High-level Moscow discussions with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were called "productive" by Russia, but no breakthroughs on compromise; work continues amid ongoing conflict.
- Pope Leo XIV Visits Lebanon Amid Regional Tensions: The pontiff concluded his first foreign trip with prayers at Beirut's port and a Mass for 150,000, urging hope in a nation fearing renewed war.
- Israeli Forces Kill Two Palestinian Teens in West Bank Raids: Separate incidents during operations in the occupied territory highlight escalating violence, even as Gaza ceasefire holds.
- No Breakthrough in China-U.K. Embassy Dispute: Plans for a massive Chinese embassy in London face further delays over security concerns.
- Journalists Launch "AI Week of Action" for Ethical Standards: Unionized NewsGuild-CWA members nationwide demand guidelines on AI use in newsrooms to protect jobs and integrity.
- ACLU Challenges Georgia's Social Media Parental Consent Law: Digital rights groups urge courts to block the measure requiring consent for minors under 16, citing free speech and anonymity risks.
- Meta Debunks Viral AI Training Claim on Private Messages: The company clarified that only AI tool interactions—not personal DMs—will inform data insights, amid privacy policy update fears.
- U.S. Department of Education Launches Foreign Funding Portal: Institutions must report via a new system starting January 2026 to enhance transparency on overseas influences.
- OECD Upgrades Global Growth Forecast to 3.2% Despite Tariffs: The world economy shows resilience to U.S. trade wars, boosted by AI investments; U.S. growth raised to 2%, euro area to 1.3%.
- U.S. Inflation at 3% Core CPI, Unemployment Steady at 4.4%: Mixed signals include moderating prices but rising unemployment; experts eye productivity gains to ease pressures.
- Cyber Monday Sales Hit $44.2 Billion Record: Online holiday spending surged, driven by tech deals, though affordability concerns persist for consumers.
- China's Fixed-Asset Investment Down 1.7% Amid Slowing Retail: Industrial production grows modestly at 4.9%, but property and auto spending weaken, signaling broader challenges.
- Nvidia Invests $2 Billion in Synopsys for AI Chip Design: The partnership aims to integrate Nvidia's AI tech into Synopsys' tools for faster data center and hardware development.
- Marvell in Talks for $5 Billion Celestial AI Acquisition: The deal would bolster Marvell's photonics for AI infrastructure, amid Q3 earnings anticipation and analyst upgrades.
- Mirror Security Raises €2.1M for Encrypted AI Compute: The startup's VectaX engine enables secure data processing in AI models, backed by Sure Valley Ventures.
- Israel's Iron Beam Laser Interceptor Nears Deployment: Rafael reports record results and a $22B backlog as demand for defense tech surges globally.
- U.S. Skips World AIDS Day Commemoration: The Trump administration's silence—citing "awareness isn't strategy"—draws criticism from activists amid ongoing global epidemic.
- First U.S. Death from Rare Bird Flu Strain: A Washington man died from H5N6, but officials stress low public risk; flu season starts slowly.
- Trump Signs Bill for Billions in Addiction Recovery Funding: The measure aims to prevent overdoses and support recovery, unlocking federal resources.
- UCSF Therapy Controls HIV Without Meds for Months: Seven patients maintained viral suppression post-treatment, a potential step toward eradication.
- CFP Rankings: Ohio State, Indiana Lead Top Four: The penultimate poll shakes up seeds with Alabama and Notre Dame holding at-large spots; playoff bracket updated.
- Stephen Curry Out vs. Thunder with Quad Injury: The Warriors star misses his second straight game, facing OKC's league-best defense without their top scorer.
- Neal Brown Named North Texas Head Coach: The former West Virginia coach takes over amid college football's coaching carousel.
- Haaland Hits 100 Premier League Goals Fastest Ever: Manchester City's Erling Haaland reaches milestone in 105 games during a dominant win over Fulham.
New Hampshire: Parents Complain that Voucher Program is a Scam | Diane Ravitch's blog https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/02/new-hampshire-parents-complain-that-voucher-program-is-a-scam/
### Key Points
- New Hampshire’s voucher program, originally designed for low-income families, has expanded to all income levels, with 80% of vouchers claimed by students who never attended public schools.
- Critics, including public education advocates, argue the program diverts funds from public schools, destabilizes them, and lacks accountability, while benefiting wealthier families.
- The program’s cost has grown significantly, doubling its participants and increasing taxpayer burden, while public schools face underfunding.
- Private and religious schools receiving voucher funds are not bound by federal civil rights provisions or required to accept all students, raising equity concerns.
- Public education advocates and some lawmakers are urging reforms, increased transparency, and a recommitment to fully funding public schools.
Tom Ultican Reviews My New Book, with Some Personal Reflections https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/02/tom-ultican-reviews-my-new-book-with-some-personal-reflections/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Tom Ultican reviews Diane Ravitch's memoir, which details her transformation from a conservative education reformer to a public school advocate.
- Ravitch's book provides a personal narrative, including her upbringing in Texas and her early conservative affiliations.
- The memoir highlights the courage it took for Ravitch to reverse her positions, risking professional and personal relationships.
- Ultican shares his own experiences as a teacher and how Ravitch's work influenced his journey in education advocacy.
- The review praises Ravitch's dedication to public education and her role as a national treasure in the fight against privatization.
Glenn Kessler: Finding the Facts in a World of Lies and Propaganda https://dianeravitch.net/2025/12/02/glenn-kessler-finding-the-facts-in-a-world-of-lies-and-propaganda/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Glenn Kessler, a professional fact-checker, shared insights from his keynote speech at the 2025 #SweFactChrck conference about the importance and challenges of fact-checking in the modern era.
- Fact-checking grew globally between 2011 and 2021, with over 400 organizations across more than 100 countries. However, the rise of misinformation has made this work more difficult.
- The pandemic saw collaborative fact-checking efforts, such as the Coronavirus Facts Alliance, which tracked and countered misinformation globally.
- Despite the growth of fact-checking, misinformation has become more sophisticated, creating an “arms race” between truth and lies.
- Fact-checking organizations face funding challenges, political pushback, and diminishing support from platforms like Meta and Google.
- Social media enables falsehoods to spread faster than corrections can reach audiences, exacerbating the problem of misinformation.
- Politicians, including elected leaders in democracies, increasingly use misinformation as a political tool, normalizing dishonesty.
- Donald Trump’s presidency marked a significant shift in political falsehoods, with an unprecedented volume of misleading claims tracked by The Washington Post.
- Social media platforms amplified falsehoods, while political leaders and autocrats used disinformation to delegitimize journalists and fact-checkers.
- Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, contribute to the spread of misinformation, while harming the economic foundation of traditional journalism.
- Russian disinformation campaigns exploit AI models, infecting them with fabricated stories that are then spread globally.
- Human psychology and political polarization make it harder for people to accept facts that challenge their beliefs, further complicating fact-checking efforts.
- Governments and political entities have increasingly targeted fact-checkers, accusing them of bias or using them to attack opponents.
- The erosion of shared factual baselines and the rise of curated, algorithm-driven realities have fragmented public discourse.
- Fact-checking remains vital for democracy, but it faces significant challenges, including attacks on credibility, funding constraints, and the overwhelming volume of misinformation.
Big Education Ape: THE ONE "THING" A MANAGER CAN'T DELEGATE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-one-thing-manager-cant-delegate.html
### Key Points
- Donald Trump and his administration's billionaire appointees highlight the disparity between wealth and moral clarity.
- State Superintendent Tony Thurmond discusses 2026 education proposals with stakeholders.
- A major winter storm disrupts the Northeast, impacting 75 million Americans.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces scrutiny over a controversial strike on a Venezuelan drug boat.
- Immigration policies tighten after a shooting near the White House.
- Congress works to extend ACA subsidies before their expiration to prevent premium hikes.
- U.S.-Venezuela tensions rise over drug boat strikes, with lawmakers demanding accountability.
- Over 1,200 deaths and millions displaced in Asian floods, attributed to climate change.
- Russia-Ukraine conflict persists, with disputes over control of key cities and ongoing peace talks.
- Education programs are being dismantled under the Trump administration, shifting responsibilities to states.
- AI reshapes industries, leading to job losses and ethical debates.
- Nvidia accelerates AI chip design with a $2 billion stake in Synopsys.
- Congress debates rural health funding transparency and the hepatitis B vaccine policy.
- The Supreme Court hears cases on First Amendment rights and copyright issues.
- Sports updates include India’s cricket victories, World Cup preparations, and local basketball wins.
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POST DECEMBER 1, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/todays-top-news-yesterdays-best-blog.html
The article provides a comprehensive overview of various global, national, and societal topics, including education reforms, technological advancements, political developments, and health updates. It emphasizes themes such as equity, resilience, systemic challenges, and the impact of AI on jobs and education. Additionally, it highlights advocacy efforts for public education, environmental issues, and historical reflections on Thanksgiving.
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: DECEMBER 1, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/12/morning-news-update-december-1-2025.html
Big Education Ape: LOOKING BACK: THE WEEK IN REVIEW SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/looking-back-week-in-review-sunday_0218094292.html
This article provides a collection of blogs, posts, and updates focused on public education, social issues, and broader societal challenges. It highlights topics like anti-intellectualism, AI impact on jobs, H-1B visas, and the defense of public education, while also showcasing curated content from various contributors.
Retiree Advocate Attempts to Rise from the Dead They mandate a Unity-like loyalty oath and, exactly like Unity, claim it ISN'T a loyalty oath. ARTHUR GOLDSTEIN https://arthurgoldstein.substack.com/p/retiree-advocate-attempts-to-rise
### Key Points
- RA's undemocratic decision-making processes, where a small group of leaders makes decisions without consulting the wider membership.
- Introduction of bylaws requiring members to pledge not to openly oppose RA campaigns, causing discontent among members.
- Members criticize the lack of transparency, consultation, and the top-down approach in creating the mission statement and bylaws.
- RA's association with ARISE and its failure to consult members on this decision.
- RA's perceived failure to adequately support Intro 1096 and its handling of Medicare Advantage (MA) controversies.
- Criticism of RA leaders for taking credit for stopping MA, which was primarily led by a separate retirees' group.
- Concerns over the overlap between RA and RTC (Retired Teachers Chapter) leadership, creating confusion about their roles and responsibilities.
- RA's failure to sufficiently engage with the 300 delegates who ran with them, leading to a lack of involvement and declining morale.
- Suggestions for RA to improve its structure by holding more inclusive elections and addressing members' concerns about bylaws.
- Calls for RA to collaborate with other groups like NYC Retirees and ABC to regain relevance and effectiveness.
- Criticism of RA for not filing an amicus brief in a critical court case, which some members believe could have made a difference.
- Members express frustration over the lack of communication, transparency in finances, and clarity about leadership roles.
- Debate over the loyalty clause in the bylaws, with members asserting it limits personal freedom and dissent.
- Calls for more openness, transparency, and member involvement in shaping RA's future direction.
Bad Bunny Knows the Truth. Do We? – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/12/02/bad-bunny-knows-the-truth-do-we/
### Key Points
- Puerto Rico remains an unincorporated U.S. territory, with limited democratic rights for its residents, who are U.S. citizens but lack voting representation in Congress and the right to vote for the president unless they leave the island.
- The U.S. imposes decisions on Puerto Rico's institutions, including education, often without local accountability, reflecting ongoing colonial power structures.
- Dr. Patricia Virella’s 2025 Mistifer Lecture emphasized the inseparability of education and political power, framing education as a reflection of broader systems of governance.
- Virella challenged the audience to confront historical and present-day coloniality and consider courage as a daily practice in resisting oppressive systems.
- Puerto Rico’s educational history has been shaped by colonial policies, including forced assimilation and cultural erasure, with schools used as tools to impose American authority.
- Contemporary reforms like school closures and externally imposed policies in Puerto Rico continue to reflect colonial logic, undermining local governance and autonomy.
- The PROMESA oversight board and post-Maria charter expansions exemplify how external authorities control Puerto Rico’s budget and education system without democratic input.
- Virella highlighted the importance of community power and family stories as tools of resistance and survival against colonial structures.
- The historical forced assimilation of Puerto Rican Indigenous children in U.S. boarding schools mirrors broader colonial patterns of erasing cultural identity.
- Virella connected Puerto Rico’s colonial experience to similar patterns of governance and educational reforms on the U.S. mainland, such as state takeovers of schools in communities of color.
- Courage in educational leadership requires resisting compliance with oppressive systems and aligning with community needs, as demonstrated through daily decisions.
- Virella emphasized that hope and resistance are essential for overcoming structural barriers, urging educators to prioritize community values and dignity.
- Bad Bunny’s lyrics were used throughout the lecture to illustrate themes of resistance, autonomy, and community power in Puerto Rico’s struggle against coloniality.
Financing a High-Quality System of Free Public Schools for Florida’s Children – School Finance 101 https://schoolfinance101.com/2025/12/02/financing-a-high-quality-system-of-free-public-schools-for-floridas-children/
School Finance 101 Data and thoughts on public and private school funding in the U.S.
### Key Points
- Florida's public school funding has declined since the early 2000s, leading to reduced teacher wages, staffing ratios, and student outcomes. However, Florida schools have maintained efficiency despite limited resources.
- Local districts have increased property taxes to compensate for reduced state funding, but inequality persists due to inadequate support for students with greater needs, especially in charter schools.
- Florida's charter schools exacerbate inequality by serving fewer low-income students, English learners, and children with disabilities, while showing poor educational outcomes compared to traditional public schools.
- A significant portion of state funds is allocated to private school vouchers, primarily benefiting higher-income families, which could yield better public benefits if redirected to public schools in high-poverty areas.
- Recommendations include establishing a statewide commission to set funding standards, reforming the school finance formula, increasing state aid, and imposing a moratorium on charter school expansion to improve equity and efficiency.
- Additional proposals advocate stricter regulations for charter schools, freezing voucher program expansion, and ensuring charter schools operate as "public" entities adhering to constitutional rights and federal statutes.
CBS Covers Florida Charter Schools PETER GREENE https://curmudgucation.substack.com/p/cbs-covers-florida-charter-schools
### Key Points
- New Hampshire's taxpayer-funded voucher program lacks transparency, with details about spending concealed from the public.
- Investigations revealed that 90% of tuition funds went to private religious schools, and significant amounts were spent on extracurricular activities like skiing and martial arts.
- The Children’s Scholarship Fund, managing voucher money, restricted access to spending details, citing concerns about harassment, which critics argue undermines taxpayer oversight.
- Voucher systems often operate with minimal safeguards, raising concerns about financial accountability and legislative irresponsibility.
Teacher Tom: There is Never a Reason to Arrest a Child https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/there-is-never-reason-to-arrest-child.html
### Key Points
- Arresting children for minor incidents, such as wearing sunglasses or a hoodie, reflects a harmful culture of compliance and control, disproportionately affecting Black and neuro-atypical children.
- The criminal justice system harms children by causing trauma, fear, and long-term psychological damage, rather than addressing underlying issues.
- Society's focus on obedience over freedom perpetuates injustices, including punitive measures like arresting children for asserting autonomy.
- The author advocates for valuing freedom, liberty, and autonomy in education, as these principles are fundamental to self-governance and societal progress.
- Addressing systemic issues in classroom management and education can help break the cycle of control, punishment, and compliance.
School Cell Phone Bans and Student Achievement Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
### Key Points
- A Florida school district's all-day cell phone ban led to improved test scores, especially among male students and middle/high school students, while disciplinary rates initially rose but normalized over time.
- Declining U.S. community college enrollment is attributed to labor market strength and institutional reclassification, with vulnerable students often not completing degrees.
- Training MBA students in effective listening fosters humility and ethical leadership, with face-to-face experiences proving more impactful than online methods.
- A sense of belonging in college significantly increases graduation rates, emphasizing the importance of institutional efforts to foster integration and support.
- Excessive screen time in children is linked to ADHD symptoms and developmental brain abnormalities, highlighting the need to manage digital habits.
- Unrealistic parental expectations for athletic success are influenced by factors like athletic identity, socioeconomic status, and neighborhood demographics.
- Finger counting in young children supports early arithmetic skills and facilitates the transition to advanced mathematical strategies later on.
Nearly 2.2 million U.S. adolescents aged 12–17 met the criteria for at least one substance use disorder Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
THE ONE “THING” A MANAGER CAN’T DELEGATE A BUCK-PASSING MASTERCLASS FROM THE OVAL OFFICE CIRCUS https://ru4people.substack.com/p/the-one-thing-a-manager-cant-delegate
### Key Points
- Managers can delegate tasks and authority but cannot delegate responsibility or accountability, a foundational principle of management.
- The article critiques the lack of accountability in government, highlighting instances of blame-shifting during Trump’s cabinet meeting and the adoption of the Unitary Executive Theory.
- The Unitary Executive Theory centralizes power in the President, allowing control over executive functions without accountability, leading to organizational dysfunction.
- The Supreme Court, traditionally a check on executive power, has also abdicated its oversight role, exacerbating the issue of unchecked presidential authority.
- Misleading claims made during Trump’s cabinet meeting are criticized, showcasing a lack of factual accountability akin to poor corporate leadership.
- The article emphasizes the importance of voting in the 2026 midterms to restore accountability and improve government management.
The Blogosphere Brigade: Public Education’s Last, Best Hope Against the Oligarchy’s Onslaught https://ru4people.substack.com/p/the-blogosphere-brigade-public-educations
SPI Discusses 2026 Education Proposals - Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education) https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr25/yr25rel51.asp
### Key Points
- State Superintendent Tony Thurmond discussed 2026 education proposals with the Literacy Task Force, legislators, and educators.
- The proposals include universal kindergarten, a five-year literacy plan, and addressing learning gaps for African American and Native American students.
- Investments in TK–12 education have tripled per-pupil funding, supporting initiatives like universal preschool, school meals, and literacy programs.
- Superintendent Thurmond emphasized the need to accelerate student achievement and close learning gaps.
glen brown: "Riches Are No Guarantee of Intelligence, Judgment, or Moral Clarity" https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/12/riches-are-no-guarantee-of-intelligence.html
### Key Points
- Wealth is often confused with wisdom, leading to the elevation of incompetent individuals to positions of power.
- Historical examples, such as the Gilded Age robber barons and plantation oligarchs, illustrate the harm caused by unchecked wealth.
- Modern billionaires like Trump, Musk, and Zuckerberg are critiqued for their reckless decisions and their insulation from consequences due to privilege.
- The "Powell Memo" of 1971 marked a turning point where the wealthy began consolidating power in politics, media, and academia, leading to systemic inequality.
- Psychological studies reveal that extreme wealth fosters reduced empathy, overconfidence, and poor leadership qualities.
- The article stresses that strong communities, not great fortunes, build strong nations, advocating for accountability and regulation of the wealthy.
"Kill them all." FRED KLONSKY https://fredklonsky.substack.com/p/kill-them-all
### Key Points
- The article reflects on the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War in 1968, where U.S. soldiers, under orders, committed atrocities against civilians, with Lieutenant William Calley being the only one held accountable.
- It draws a parallel to recent events under Trump’s administration, highlighting illegal actions such as bombing fishing boats in the Caribbean, allegedly targeting drug traffickers but killing many without evidence, violating U.S. and international law.
- The article briefly mentions other unrelated topics, such as union democracy issues involving Michael Mulgrew and a Bob Dylan biopic.
Florida Loses Track of 30,000 Students Sunshine State's school voucher schemes take a heavy toll ANDY SPEARS https://theeducationreport.substack.com/p/florida-loses-track-of-30000-students
- Florida’s school voucher program has accountability issues, with the state unable to track the whereabouts of 30,000 students, representing $270 million in education funds.
- A private school fraudulently claimed voucher funds for 80 students who lived 130 miles away and did not attend the school, highlighting misuse of taxpayer money.
- The owner of the fraudulent school claimed ignorance about the illegality of taking funds for students not physically attending her school.
- The voucher system enables private school operators to bill for students who do not attend, leading to unaccounted taxpayer money and lack of oversight.
'Kill Them All' is now White House policy Adm. Bradley is being set up to take the fall for Hegseth. MICHAEL KLONSKY https://klonsky.substack.com/p/kill-them-all-is-now-white-house 'Kill Them All' is now White House policy
Adm. Bradley is being set up to take the fall for Hegseth.
### Key Points
- A controversial verbal command "Kill them all," reportedly given by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, is linked to President Trump, sparking accusations of violating the laws of war.
- Survivors of shipwrecks, protected under the Geneva Conventions, were deliberately targeted in a second strike carried out by Adm. Frank Bradley, who is now being scapegoated by the administration.
- Despite Bradley being praised as a "hero" by Hegseth, the administration insists Bradley acted lawfully, while bipartisan voices in Congress demand an investigation into the killings, labeled as "murder" by military lawyers.
- Adm. Alvin Holsey's abrupt resignation during the Caribbean strike campaign raises suspicions of avoiding accountability for potential war crimes.
- The CIA and military contractors are implicated in the operations, highlighting concerns about extrajudicial killings becoming normalized under the guise of "narco-terrorism."
Science of Reading or Science of Retention?: Why Miracles Fail Reading Reform https://radicalscholarship.com/2025/12/02/science-of-reading-or-science-of-retention-why-miracles-fail-reading-reform/ via @plthomasEdD
### Key Points
- Education reform has been marked by a repetitive cycle of crisis and reform, often fueled by exaggerated or false claims of success.
- "Education miracles" are typically debunked as statistical anomalies, misinformation, or fraud, and are not scalable for universal reform.
- Mississippi's grade 4 reading score improvements are attributed to a retention policy rather than genuine instructional reforms, creating an illusion of success.
- Retention policies, while temporarily boosting scores, have negative long-term effects on students, including reduced earnings, higher absenteeism, and increased social issues.
- The "science of reading" movement is criticized as being more about retention policies than genuine literacy improvement, harming vulnerable students.
Janresseger: Trump Admin. Quietly Accelerates Cancellation of Federal Education Grants Said to Promote D.E.I. | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/trump-admin
The article discusses the Trump administration's controversial actions regarding federal education grants, focusing on its efforts to align funding with its policy priorities. It highlights the cancellation of numerous grants supporting diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), special education, and other educational initiatives. The administration's moves have disrupted ongoing projects, sparked criticism, and raised concerns about the impact on students and educators.
### Key Points
- The Trump administration canceled or withheld federal education grants, claiming they promoted a "radical, left-wing agenda" or conflicted with its focus on "merit, fairness, and excellence."
- Over $30 million in special education programs were jeopardized, affecting services for disabled students, aspiring teachers, and parent outreach.
- Grants for civics, arts, literacy education, and college preparation were terminated, along with programs for racial desegregation and technical assistance for violent threats in schools.
- The Department of Education justified its actions by citing grant applications that prioritized diversity or DEI initiatives, which it opposed.
- Specific districts, including New York City, Chicago, and Fairfax County, faced funding cuts for refusing to overhaul diversity and transgender-inclusive policies.
- Critics argue the cuts are discriminatory and harmful, particularly to marginalized students, and lack due process.
Seattle Schools Community Forum: SPS Legal News https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2025/12/sps-legal-news.html?spref=tw
### Key Points
- A lawsuit regarding childhood sexual abuse claims highlights Washington's statute of limitations, allowing survivors to file lawsuits years after discovering the connection between abuse and injuries.
- Newly elected SPS Board members will take their oaths and begin tasks like monitoring early literacy and math performance. Concerns arise over a potential quorum at a planned Zoom meeting.
- A criminal trial for a former Garfield High volunteer coach accused of rape ends in a hung jury, while a related civil lawsuit resulted in a $16M settlement—the largest in SPS history.
- Allegations of nepotism within SPS highlight concerns over promotions and job shifts based on personal connections rather than merit.
- Discussions on advanced learning services and policies continue to feature in board meetings.
