Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-7-25
New York: Orthodox Jewish Schools Hope to Evade the Law and Collect Public Money https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/06/new-york-orthodox-jewish-schools-hope-to-evade-the-law-but-collect-public-money/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Orthodox Jewish schools in New York, especially Hasidic yeshivas, often fail to meet state education requirements, neglecting basic secular subjects.
- State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa opposes weakening oversight, stating it harms students’ futures.
- Hasidic leaders and political representatives have lobbied for reduced oversight, viewing government intervention as a threat.
- These schools have received substantial public funding despite non-compliance, raising questions about accountability.
- Political motives, including bloc voting by the Hasidic community, influence officials’ reluctance to enforce the law.
ProPublica: Trump's Choice for US Attorney in D.C. is Ethically Challenged--and a MAGA Extremist https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/06/propublica-trumps-choice-for-us-attorney-in-d-c-is-ethically-challenged/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Ed Martin, appointed by Trump as U.S. Attorney in D.C., has a history of promoting conspiracy theories and defending January 6 insurrectionists.
- Martin concealed his extensive appearances on Russian state media from the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- He orchestrated attacks on a judge during a legal case involving the Eagle Forum, violating ethical norms.
- Martin’s career has been marked by ethical violations, legal settlements, and professional misconduct.
- As U.S. Attorney, Martin has dismissed January 6-related cases, fired prosecutors, and pursued politically charged investigations.
What Will We All Lose If We Sacrifice Our Public Schools to Vouchers? https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2025/05/06/what-will-we-all-lose-if-we-sacrifice-our-public-schools-to-vouchers/ via @janresseger
### Key Points
- Ohio's Fair School Funding Plan, aimed at equitable school funding, has been abandoned by the Ohio House, jeopardizing public schools' financial stability.
- The diversion of public funds to private school vouchers reflects a broader national trend, often benefiting wealthier families and disadvantaging rural and underserved communities.
- Experts argue that privatization undermines the social contract, equity, and the democratic purpose of public education.
- Public schools are essential for bridging societal divides and preparing citizens for democracy, while voucher programs often exacerbate inequities.
glen brown: Trump the Conquerer https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/05/trump-conquerer.html
### Key Points
- Glen Brown emphasizes the writer's role in resisting oppression and maintaining independence from societal doctrines.
- Donald Trump expressed interest in annexing Greenland and speculated on making Canada the 51st state, sparking widespread criticism and diplomatic unease.
- A significant portion of Americans oppose the idea of annexing Greenland or Canada, as revealed by polls.
- The blog covers numerous themes, including public pension defense, social justice, education reform, and environmental issues.
This article, written by Glen Brown, reflects on various social, political, and personal issues. It begins with philosophical musings on the role of a writer, citing figures like Ambrose Bierce and Albert Camus, and transitions into a range of topics, including public pensions, political commentary, and personal experiences. A significant portion highlights the challenges of canceling a Malwarebytes subscription, illustrating frustrations with customer service and the chargeback process. Additionally, the blog discusses broader societal issues like authoritarianism, education reform, climate change, and social justice.
### Key Points
- The role of a writer is to resist oppression and remain independent of societal doctrines, as emphasized through quotes from Ambrose Bierce and Albert Camus.
- The author shares frustrations about canceling a Malwarebytes subscription, detailing the complexities of the chargeback process and interactions with customer support.
- Commentary on social and political issues, including Trump’s policies, authoritarianism, public pensions, and the erosion of democracy.
- Coverage of global concerns such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, climate change, and the war in Ukraine.
- Advocacy for social justice, fair taxation, education reform, and protection of public pensions.
Teacher Tom: I Know https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/05/i-know.html
Teacher Tom reflects on the impact of dismissive language, particularly the phrase "I know," when engaging with children. He shares an anecdote about a relative who habitually used "I know" and how it stifled conversations. He connects this to a recent experience observing a family on a flight, where the parents' repeated use of "I know" diminished their children's enthusiasm and curiosity. Tom emphasizes the importance of supporting children in their discoveries rather than shutting them down, offering alternative ways to engage meaningfully. He also promotes his course on effective communication with children to foster their thinking and cooperation.
### Key Points
- The repeated use of "I know" can unintentionally discourage curiosity and enthusiasm, especially in children.
- Dismissive responses like "I know" can make children feel unimportant or unheard, hindering their learning and engagement.
- Adults should instead acknowledge or extend children's discoveries to encourage dialogue and support their learning.
- Teacher Tom promotes a course on how language impacts children's learning environments and relationships.
Code Acts in Education: Great Edtech Exhibitions as Futuring Events | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/great-edtech
### Key Points
- Edtech exhibitions, such as BETT, act as "futuring events" where technology's potential to transform education is showcased, often with speculative and optimistic claims.
- These events promote "smart" technologies as solutions to systemic educational issues, with a focus on AI and robotics for personalized and automated learning.
- The exhibitions emphasize a shift from traditional schooling to more agile, tech-driven "learning" models, often sidelining the complexities of education reform.
- They serve as political and economic platforms where governments, investors, and industry leaders collaborate to drive edtech adoption, often prioritizing market interests over public education needs.
- Behind the glossy presentations, the business models of edtech companies focus on securing long-term contracts and monetizing educational data.
“Disruption” is having a moment—but for all the wrong reasons – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/05/06/disruption-is-having-a-moment-but-for-all-the-wrong-reasons/
### Key Points
- The term "disruption," once associated with educational innovation, is now being manipulated to justify attacks on academic freedom, equity, and public trust. Competing forms of disruption either dismantle inclusion or rebuild systems for marginalized communities.
- Conservative legislatures are enacting state laws targeting DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), tenure, and academic programs, aiming to disrupt higher education for inequity and consolidate power.
- University presidents often fail to resist these political pressures, either remaining silent or prioritizing compliance over equity, which undermines institutional values and academic freedom.
- Disruption for equity requires bold leadership, inclusive pedagogy, defense of tenure, and coalition-building to protect marginalized communities and promote justice.
- Attacks on DEI are not about merit but about control, aiming to stifle inclusion, community success, and equitable outcomes for students, staff, and faculty.
- The article contrasts two types of disruption: inequity-driven, which silences dissent and defunds diverse programs, and equity-driven, which fosters inclusion and community-centered change.
- The call to action emphasizes fighting for disruption that builds equitable systems, centers marginalized voices, and defends DEI as essential for community success.
How to Vote in the UFT Election https://open.substack.com/pub/arthurgoldstein/p/how-to-vote-in-the-uft-election?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
- The article discusses the upcoming UFT (United Federation of Teachers) election, emphasizing its importance and the option to vote for "A Better Contract" (ABC) to challenge the Unity Caucus.
- Clear instructions are provided on how to fill out and mail the UFT ballot correctly, including steps like marking the ballot, using the Secrecy Sleeve, and mailing it promptly.
- Voters are advised not to write their name on the ballot or damage the barcode on the Return Envelope and to contact Global Election Services for replacement ballots if needed.
- The author, Arthur Goldstein, expresses dissatisfaction with the current state of the union and advocates for reform through ABC.
- Comments and discussions reveal concerns about ballot delivery timing and accountability.
- Additional unrelated posts by the author touch on union-related issues and criticisms, such as UFT's stance on Medicare Advantage and pension management.
Schools Matter: The Nicest "Go F*** Yourself" That a Convicted Felon Will Ever Hear http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/05/the-nicest-go-f-yourself-that-convicted.html
- The blog post critiques the influence of classmates on a child's learning, referencing James Coleman's 1972 statement.
- The post discusses various social and political issues, including Trump’s actions, the role of poverty in education, and corporate influence on charter schools.
- Highlights the increasing focus on testing in education and its consequences.
- References articles and reviews on educational reform, teacher experiences, and systemic challenges in public schools.
Big Education Ape: THE CORNERSTONES OF LIBERTY: HABEAS CORPUS, DUE PROCESS AND THE RULE OF LAW IN THE AGE OF TRUMP https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-cornerstones-of-liberty-habeas.html
Explores the challenges facing democracy, particularly under the Trump administration, focusing on the importance of habeas corpus, due process, and the rule of law. The article highlights how these principles have been tested by Trump's policies, especially on immigration and executive power, and emphasizes their essential role in safeguarding personal freedoms and democracy.
### Key Points
- Habeas corpus, rooted in English common law and the Magna Carta, ensures protection against unlawful detention but has been historically suspended during crises, such as Lincoln’s Civil War actions.
- Due process guarantees fair legal procedures, safeguarding individuals from arbitrary punishment, but is sometimes compromised for political expediency.
- The rule of law ensures equality under the law but is vulnerable when power is abused, as seen with Trump's policies challenging constitutional norms.
- Trump’s immigration policies, including family separations and expedited deportations, raised concerns about violations of habeas corpus and due process.
- Universities emerged as defenders of democratic principles, challenging policies that affected foreign students and immigration rights.
- The article underscores that democracy requires vigilance to uphold its foundational principles, even amid dysfunction and debate.
DONNY TRUMP'S NEW BOOK: The Art of Being Right https://open.substack.com/pub/ru4people/p/donny-trumps-new-book-the-art-of?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- Donny T declares himself the leader of Libertyville and announces plans to reform immigration using outdated laws, leading to skepticism and protests.
- Donny dismisses due process and proposes extreme measures like deportations without hearings and building walls around universities, sparking outrage from citizens and students.
- Legal and constitutional challenges arise, with judges and officials opposing Donny's actions to protect democracy and the rule of law.
- The Supreme Court gets involved, with mixed reactions to Donny’s policies, while protests and resistance from the community continue.
- Despite his actions, Libertyville survives due to its citizens' commitment to democracy, and Donny retires to write his memoirs, reflecting his inflated self-perception.
House Bill 82 Passes Delaware House, Clock Ticking For Christina’s MIA Board Member https://exceptionaldelaware.com/2025/05/06/house-bill-82-passes-delaware-house-clock-ticking-for-christinas-mia-board-member/ via @ExcptlDelaware
- House Bill 82, which requires Delaware school board members to reside in their district for at least 75% of the year, passed the Delaware House of Representatives with 33 votes in favor and 8 absences.
- Dr. Naveed Baqir, a Christina School Board member who only spent 1.36% of 2024 in the U.S., would lose his position under this bill.
- The bill now moves to the Delaware Senate Education Committee and, if approved, will proceed to the Delaware Senate and Governor Matt Meyer for final approval.
Choosing Democracy: Vouchers: A Republican Scam : Kevin Kiley https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2025/05/vouchers-republican-scam.html
### Key Points
- Private school vouchers divert crucial funding from public schools, primarily benefit wealthy families, and do not improve student achievement.
- The proposed "tuition tax credit" is a disguised national voucher program that could allow wealthy individuals to profit while public schools remain underfunded.
- Vouchers harm students with special needs, enable discrimination with public funds, and negatively impact nonprofits like food banks and houses of worship by redirecting donations.
- Public schools serve 90% of students and are nondiscriminatory, yet they face financial depletion due to voucher schemes.
- Advocacy efforts are needed to oppose the voucher program, urging citizens to send letters to Congress to protect public school funding.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-6-25
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/05/yesterdays-gems-todays-insights-roundup_6.html
The article is a compilation of various discussions on political, educational, and societal issues, including controversies surrounding public education policies, Trump administration decisions, grassroots activism, and challenges to democratic values. It highlights the impact of authoritarian governance, systemic inequalities, and efforts to resist such challenges through activism and reform.
### Key Points
- Private school vouchers divert funding from public schools, benefiting private institutions while harming public education.
- Trump issued an executive order to revise U.S. history exhibits, removing content deemed unpatriotic or divisive, raising concerns about censorship and historical distortion.
- Donald Trump made a political comeback in 2024, with years of planning and support from figures like Kevin McCarthy.
- Glenn Kessler fact-checked 32 claims by Trump during his second term’s first 100 days, exposing numerous inaccuracies and misrepresentations on trade, inflation, and more.
- The Supreme Court is reviewing cases that may allow taxpayer funding for religious charter schools, potentially undermining secular public education.
- Growth mindset and grit theories lack strong empirical evidence and may perpetuate systemic racism and classism, distracting from broader social issues like poverty.
- Resistance to control is natural; guiding children through natural consequences fosters independent thinking better than punishments or rewards.
- NYC Chancellor’s regulations on student privacy are inadequate, with ongoing concerns about data sharing and AI risks in classrooms.
- Seattle Public Schools face financial deficits, declining enrollment, and governance issues, with upcoming elections seen as a chance for reform.
- Trump’s second term policies, including cuts to education funding and promoting “patriotic education,” have raised concerns about democracy and public education.
- RFK Jr. eliminated Biden’s lead pipe removal program, leaving states to address lead poisoning independently, disproportionately affecting low-income communities.
- Grassroots activism has played a key role in resisting billionaire-backed education reforms and authoritarian policies, preserving democratic values.
- The University of Michigan’s presidential search emphasizes the need for leaders with strong equity, diversity, and community ties.
- Mental health challenges among college students have worsened since 2013, with financial stress and systemic inequities as contributing factors.
