Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
7-27-25
7-27-25
Trump Administration Releases School Funding It Was Withholding https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/26/trump-administration-releases-school-funding-it-was-withholding/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- The Trump administration withheld $6.8 billion in federal education funding, causing uncertainty for school districts.
- On July 25, 2025, the administration announced the release of $5 billion in funds and had previously released $1.4 billion for after-school programs.
- The funding freeze impacted grants for migrant education, teacher training, English-learner services, and academic enrichment programs.
- The withheld funds included $715 million for adult education, with no update provided on its release.
- Public schools faced challenges in meeting legal and necessary services due to the funding delay.
Big Education Ape: LET'S CHECK THIS WEEK'S TOP NEWS AND OTHER STORIES 7-26-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/07/lets-check-this-weeks-top-news-and_26.html
### Key Points
- Larry Cuban explains why teaching practices in public schools remain familiar across generations, citing "dynamic conservatism."
- Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters faces criticism for his actions and personal controversies.
- Diane Ravitch evolves from a conservative advocate to a staunch defender of public education against privatization efforts.
- Charter school issues, particularly at St. HOPE Charter Schools in Sacramento, are examined.
- Donald Trump’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein and broader political controversies are discussed.
- AI integration in classrooms sparks debates about progress versus ethical concerns.
- Immigration enforcement under the Trump administration is criticized for its harshness.
- Weekly educational news roundups and blog highlights provide insights into public education developments.
Big Education Ape: "I WAS JUST FOLLOWING ORDERS": DOES THE UNITARY EXECUTIVE THEORY SHIELD TRUMP'S HENCHMEN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/07/i-was-just-following-orders-does.html
"I WAS JUST FOLLOWING ORDERS": DOES THE UNITARY EXECUTIVE THEORY SHIELD TRUMP'S HENCHMEN
### Key Points
- The article explores the legal implications of the "just following orders" defense, focusing on whether the Unitary Executive Theory can shield Trump administration officials from accountability.
- The Unitary Executive Theory posits concentrated executive power in the president, potentially granting immunity to officials carrying out presidential orders.
- Historical precedents, such as the Nuremberg Trials, reject the "just following orders" defense, emphasizing individual accountability for illegal actions.
- Courts have traditionally been reluctant to extend immunity to lower-level officials acting on presidential orders, citing obligations to disobey unconstitutional or illegal directives.
- The Supreme Court's recent trend of expanding executive power raises concerns about undermining accountability and constitutional checks.
- Trump's administration faced numerous allegations of constitutional violations, including immigration policies and budgetary redirections.
- Psychological studies reveal that while coercion may reduce the sense of agency, ethical obligations remain intact, reinforcing the need for accountability.
glen brown: This Week in The Contrarian https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/07/this-week-in-contrarian.html
### Key Points
- The Trump administration faced allegations of corruption, including migrant mistreatment and the Trump-Epstein scandal.
- Legal actions, such as the Federal Tort Claims Act case, aim to hold the administration accountable.
- Public health crises, including Medicaid cuts and rural hospital closures, threaten American society.
- Tennessee's new law undermines bodily autonomy, reflecting broader attacks on democracy.
- Republicans are accused of rigging elections and suppressing voter rights.
- Activism and community efforts are vital for preserving democracy and addressing systemic issues.
- Cultural reflections include poems, cartoons, and lighter content like recipes and pet features.
Schools Matter: OK State Superintendent, Ryan Walters, Forgets to Shut His Porn Browser http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/07/ok-state-superintendent-ryan-walters.html
### Key Points
- Two Oklahoma State Board of Education members reported seeing nude images of women on a TV in Superintendent Ryan Walters' office during a meeting.
- Walters allegedly turned off the TV immediately but did not acknowledge or apologize for the incident.
- Board members criticized Walters' behavior and suggested revoking his teaching certification, citing strict standards for educators.
- Oklahoma’s state employment policies prohibit accessing explicit material on state devices, with potential disciplinary actions including termination.
- State officials, including Republican and Democratic lawmakers, have called for an investigation and accountability.
- Walters’ office dismissed the allegations as false, attributing them to a hostile board.
- Governor Kevin Stitt expressed disappointment and emphasized trust in the board members if the allegations are proven true.
Hitting Left: Episode #255 https://open.substack.com/pub/klonsky/p/hitting-left-episode-255?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
- Zohran Mamdani, a progressive socialist, is leading in the polls for the NYC mayoral race, which carries global implications and challenges the Democratic Party's direction.
- The episode of "Hitting Left" discusses Mamdani's campaign, resistance movements, and the broader political stakes.
- Historical commentary includes Bob Dylan's pivotal performance at Newport Folk Festival in 1965, symbolizing resistance and anti-capitalist themes.
- Upcoming episodes will explore protest music, baseball, and radical movements with Dick Flacks, a New Left pioneer and host of "Culture of Protest."
- The platform encourages reader support through paid subscriptions to sustain its content.
- Michael Klonsky critiques The New York Times for refusing ads calling for an end to Israel's actions in Gaza, labeling it censorship.
- Commentary on Cory Booker's faltering presidential hopes due to his alignment with AIPAC and Jared Kushner.
Explaining Continuity and Change in Teaching: "Dynamic Conservatism" https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/explaining-continuity-and-change-in-teaching-dynamic-conservatism/ via @CubanLarry
- Teaching practices in public schools have shown remarkable continuity over generations, despite reforms, explained by the concept of "dynamic conservatism," where institutions adopt changes to maintain stability.
- Schools often balance traditional and non-traditional methods, creating hybrids in response to reforms, though some policymakers criticize this as superficial rather than transformative.
- Policymakers frequently misunderstand schools as complicated rather than complex systems, leading to flawed reform strategies that ignore the subtle interplay of continuity and change.
- Borrowing practices from business organizations for school reforms has often led to resistance from stakeholders and limited success in achieving transformative change.
- The failure to grasp the interaction between constancy and change results in repeated errors in reform efforts, explaining why teaching remains a mix of old and new.
LACOE Charter School Oversight Is Broken—And It's About to Get Worse https://www.changethelausd.com/lacoe_charter_school_oversight_is_broken_and_it_s_about_to_get_worse
- The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) prioritized charter school expansion over student safety and academic success, renewing the failing North Valley Military Institute (NVMI) despite evidence of its operational deficiencies, academic failures, and allegations of misconduct.
- LACOE's decision to renew NVMI led to a chaotic closure, leaving families scrambling for new schools after the academic year had already started.
- Board Member Yvonne Chan consistently supported failing charter schools, ignoring state laws requiring data on progress and voting to keep them open despite their poor performance.
- LACOE continued its trend of charter school favoritism by overturning LAUSD decisions to close underperforming schools like KIPP Sol Academy, Los Angeles Leadership Academy, and Crete Academy, further undermining public education accountability.
- Betty Forrester, an advocate for public education on the LACOE Board, was not reappointed due to redistricting and Supervisor Janice Hahn's support for charter school privatization, weakening pro-public education voices in the governing body.
### Key Points
- The author criticizes Unity for spreading misinformation and undermining retiree health benefits, particularly opposing Bill 1096, which aims to protect retirees' health insurance coverage.
- Unity leadership is accused of prioritizing their own power and interests over union members, with examples of undemocratic practices and lobbying against retiree activists.
- Marianne Pizzitola and NYC retirees are praised for their activism that prevented retirees from being forced into inferior health plans, highlighting the importance of standing against Unity's actions.
- The author calls for union reform, expressing dissatisfaction with current leadership, particularly Michael Mulgrew, and urging members to reclaim union democracy.
Hitting Left with the Klonsky brothers. The New York race for mayor. #Mamdani https://fredklonsky.substack.com/p/hitting-left-with-the-klonsky-brothers
- The radio show "Hitting Left" with the Klonsky brothers started on Lumpen Radio in February 2017 and gained a loyal audience over time.
- Fred Klonsky left the show a couple of years ago, but his brother Mike continued hosting it, occasionally featuring Fred as a guest.
- The article briefly mentions subscribing to Fred Klonsky's content on Substack for additional posts and archives.
- Substack is described as a platform for great culture.
THAWED: Frozen Federal Funds Finally Free, by @TheAndySpears https://open.substack.com/pub/theeducationreport/p/thawed-frozen-federal-funds-finally?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
- Donald Trump, during his second term as President, withheld billions in federal funds crucial for public schools to push his political agenda, including investigations into whether grant money supported "radical left-wing agendas."
- Congress members, including Democrats and some Republicans, as well as state-level officials like North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, challenged Trump's actions, leading to lawsuits.
- Beshear and Jackson succeeded in their lawsuits, resulting in the release of over $5 billion in withheld funding, alleviating concerns for schools regarding staffing and programs for the upcoming academic year.
- The withheld funds supported programs such as English-language learning, teacher training, migrant worker children support, and academic enrichment activities.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
7-26-25
7-26-25
The article is a roundup of recent discussions and controversies in education, politics, and public policy, focusing on topics such as school funding, Supreme Court rulings, censorship, privatization, and the impact of executive decisions on public services. It highlights systemic challenges undermining public education, democracy, and equity while advocating for accountability and reform.
### Key Points
- Ohio's legislature prioritizes private school vouchers and tax cuts, neglecting public school funding and shifting the financial burden to local districts.
- Supreme Court rulings on religious charter schools, parental opt-outs, and disability rights raise concerns about inclusivity and funding challenges for public schools.
- Florida schools removed 55 books labeled "pornographic," despite minimal student engagement, with criticism over unnecessary censorship.
- The Supreme Court's conservative majority supports expanded executive authority under Trump, undermining agency independence and democratic checks.
- Harvard Educational Review canceled a special issue on Palestinian education due to political pressures, sparking concerns about academic freedom.
- Teacher Tom critiques the erosion of authentic play in early education, advocating for child-directed learning over structured activities.
- First graders using more educational media spend more time reading, with PBS providing high-quality content, easing concerns about screen time.
- Tennessee schools face controversies over leadership, transparency, weapons detection systems, and testing reforms.
- A book critiques the anthropomorphization of AI, proposing "extrude" to describe its mechanical production of word strings.
- Florida's voucher program lacks accountability, transparency, and undermines public schools, disproportionately benefiting private institutions.
- Trump supporters exhibit authoritarian traits, with the administration using racially charged distractions to divert attention from controversies.
- Seattle school board campaigns see increased funding and endorsements, raising concerns about influence and political alignments.
- The MAHA movement claims to prioritize children's health but enacts policies harmful to essential systems supporting children’s well-being.
- The FBI and DOJ found no credible evidence of Epstein-related blackmail, raising questions about political implications in their statements.
- The Freedom Flotilla activists faced abuse and sabotage during Israeli interception, prompting war crimes investigations.
- Trump administration delayed federal education funding, causing stress for schools, but released most funds after public outcry.
- Advocacy for public education emphasizes equity, accountability, and resistance to privatization and systemic inequality.
