Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
8-10-25
8-10-25
Big Education Ape: THE GREAT ED NEWS ROUNDUP AUGUST 2-9, 2025 FROM THE 4 HORSEBOTS OF THE AI-POCALYPSE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-great-ed-news-roundup-august-2-9.html
### Key Points
- Trump’s executive order mandates colleges to submit admissions data to ensure meritocracy, sparking debates on diversity and institutional autonomy.
- The Presidential Fitness Test returns, prompting nostalgia and skepticism about its relevance in modern education.
- Tuition fees in England and Wales rise to £9,535, fueling affordability concerns and debates about the value of higher education.
- Google commits $1 billion to AI training at universities, while teachers express unease about AI’s impact on classrooms and student behavior.
- A report highlights teen loneliness as a growing issue linked to mental health struggles and school challenges.
- School voucher debates intensify, with surprising bipartisan support and outrage over withheld K-12 funding.
- Chronic absenteeism remains a crisis, and teacher stress continues to escalate due to workloads and understaffing.
- Special education faces a dire shortage of teachers and funding cuts, threatening support for students with disabilities.
- Microsoft Copilot highlights global education challenges, including cyber fraud in India, the Sahel region’s education crisis, and threats to Afghan women’s education rights.
Big Education Ape: LET'S CHECK THIS WEEK'S TOP NEWS AND OTHER STORIES 8-9-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/lets-check-this-weeks-top-news-and.html
- Weekly roundup of education news, highlighting privatization efforts and AI's role in education.
- Scrutiny of public school privatization by billionaires and organizations like DFER.
- Jeffrey Epstein-related controversies continue to draw public attention.
- Examination of political theories like the Unitary Executive Theory and their implications.
- Advocacy for public education and resistance against privatization efforts.
Big Education Ape: Who Knew Jeffrey Epstein? Apparently, Nobody and Everybody—But Only for a Hot Minute https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/who-knew-jeffrey-epstein-apparently.html
Big Education Ape's article delves into Jeffrey Epstein's complex social connections, revealing a web of high-profile individuals who interacted with him while distancing themselves after his crimes surfaced. It highlights unsealed court documents from 2024 that list over 150 names, including political figures, celebrities, and business leaders. Despite speculation about a "client list," the DOJ refuted claims of blackmail or extensive conspiracies, emphasizing victim privacy. The article explores Epstein's dual life—one as an elite socialite and another as a predator—and examines the reluctance of his acquaintances to acknowledge their ties, driven by shame and fear of scandal.
### Key Points
- Jeffrey Epstein's social circle included politicians, celebrities, and business leaders, yet many deny deep connections after his crimes were exposed.
- Unsealed court documents from 2024 revealed over 150 names linked to Epstein, including Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, Leslie Wexner, and others.
- The DOJ dismissed theories of a "client list" or blackmail operation, citing victim privacy and lack of evidence.
- Epstein's dual life—hobnobbing with elites while committing heinous crimes—added to the difficulty of untangling truth from speculation.
- Ghislaine Maxwell and other close associates played pivotal roles in Epstein's operations, but many high-profile figures claim fleeting connections.
Just remember this https://www.dailykos.com/story/2025/8/9/2337589/-Just-remember-this?pm_campaign=blog&pm_medium=rss&pm_source=teacherken
- The article discusses Dean Cain's alignment with ICE and MAGA politics, contrasting his portrayal of Superman with his current political stance, which some view as hypocritical given Superman's values.
- Readers criticize Cain for supporting ideologies contrary to his family history of internment and the values associated with Superman.
- The commentary reflects broader discontent with political figures and celebrities aligning with right-wing ideologies, comparing Trump to Lex Luthor.
- Discussion extends to the impact of showbiz on actors' careers and their subsequent involvement in political movements.
- Additional trending topics include critiques of Trump’s policies, redistricting strategies, and updates on MAGA-related controversies.
The Best Resources For Organizing “Connection” or “Community Building” Circles - Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/
- The blog offers education news and resources, focusing on topics like AI, community building, and leadership studies.
- Infographics and videos are used to spark classroom discussions on cultural responsiveness and name pronunciation.
- Weekly updates on free and useful AI tools for classrooms are shared, along with tips for ELL teachers and research studies applicable to education.
- Books and resources provide research-based instructional strategies for various subjects and student motivation techniques.
- Additional work includes blogs, radio shows, and posts on platforms like Education Week Teacher and the New York Times.
Fixing Schools Again and Again https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2025/08/09/fixing-schools-again-and-again-2/ via @CubanLarry
### Key Points
- U.S. school reform over the past century has repeatedly shifted from one major policy fix to another without reflecting on past outcomes.
- Reformers have targeted students, schools, and teachers with various solutions, such as early childhood education, curriculum standards, accountability measures, and classroom technologies.
- Policymakers often prioritize ideological and political agendas over evidence-based reforms, as public schools are politically vulnerable institutions.
- Public schools have historically been tasked with addressing broader societal issues like segregation, defense, and economic inequality, leading to frequent shifts in reform strategies.
- Since the mid-1980s, global economic competitiveness has driven school reform, focusing on standardized tests, curriculum standards, and parental choice.
- Pushback against standardized testing and federal overreach has led to calls for returning power to states and local districts, with elements of Progressive-era reforms resurfacing.
- Reformers are advised to learn from past efforts and consider the historical context of school reforms to avoid repeating mistakes.
Men Who Like Books Start Out as Boys Who Read https://teacherinastrangeland.blog/2025/08/09/men-who-like-books-start-out-as-boys-who-read/ via @nancyflanagan
### Key Points
- Men are reading less, with women dominating fiction sales, raising concerns about cultural regression.
- The author finds men who read attractive and considers fostering male literacy a national education goal.
- Personal anecdotes highlight the joy and lifelong benefits of reading for pleasure.
- Current reading instruction focuses heavily on technical skills, often neglecting the motivation to read.
- Effective literacy education requires personalized approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
- Literacy is tied to informed citizenship and success, transcending mere academic skills.
- A comparison of presidents emphasizes the cultural value of reading as a leadership trait.
- Shared memories of reading underscore its role in building relationships and legacy.
glen brown: Wildfire smoke is like smoking half a pack a day. Here's how to protect yourself https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/08/wildfire-smoke-is-like-smoking-half.html
### Key Points
- Wildfire smoke exposure is likened to smoking cigarettes and poses significant health risks, especially during high AQI levels.
- Vulnerable groups include children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and first responders, with potential long-term impacts such as dementia and preterm birth.
- Climate change has intensified wildfires and their frequency, erasing prior air quality improvements.
- Toxic materials from burned homes and synthetic fibers exacerbate the health dangers of wildfire smoke.
- Protective measures include staying indoors, using air filters, limiting physical activity, and wearing N95 masks outdoors.
How Andrew Cuomo helps the poor by staying away from them. He accuses Mamdani of living too modestly. https://michaelklonsky.substack.com/p/how-andrew-cuomo-helps-the-poor-by
- Andrew Cuomo criticized Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani for occupying a rent-controlled apartment, accusing him of being wealthy and depriving the homeless of shelter.
- Cuomo lives in a luxurious $7,800-a-month Midtown rental, distancing himself from affordable housing while claiming to help the poor.
- Mamdani built his campaign on grassroots donations, whereas Cuomo relies on billionaire backers like Michael Bloomberg and Alice Walton.
- Despite Mamdani’s modest lifestyle and history as a housing counselor, Cuomo attacked him for being rich, ignoring his own scandals and wealth.
- Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 due to sexual harassment allegations but is now running for NYC Mayor in 2025, leveraging his billionaire connections.
- The article critiques Cuomo’s approach to poverty, highlighting his reliance on luxury, billionaire support, and attacks on working-class advocates like Mamdani.
Memories of Live Aid https://www.changethelausd.com/memories_of_live_aid
- Live Aid was a global concert organized by Bob Geldof in 1985 to raise funds for famine relief in Africa, featuring simultaneous performances in Philadelphia and London.
- The event showcased iconic performances, including Queen’s legendary set, U2’s impactful chant, and reunions of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, with music alternating between the two locations.
- Live Aid raised approximately $245 million and highlighted the power of music as a force for social change, inspiring future charity events like Farm Aid.
- The article reflects on the cultural significance of Live Aid, contrasting its compassionate spirit with modern isolationism and the corporatization of the music industry.
Schools Matter: New Study Finds Racist AI Bots Used to Assist Teachers http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/08/new-study-finds-racist-ai-bots-used-to.html
- A study by Common Sense Media reveals racial bias in AI teacher assistants, showing punitive measures for Black-coded names and supportive approaches for White-coded names.
- AI tools like MagicSchool, Khanmingo, Curipod, and Google Gemini for Education, designed for classroom support, pose risks of bias, especially for special education students.
- The rush to implement AI in education without proper bias training for teachers is criticized, highlighting the vulnerabilities of underprepared educators and students.
Behaviorism as Cognitive Science | tultican https://tultican.com/2025/08/10/behaviorism-as-cognitive-science/
### Key Points
- Cognitive Load Theory emphasizes explicit instruction, claiming critical thinking requires extensive content knowledge and is not teachable as a transferable skill.
- Critics argue CLT is philosophically flawed and undermines broader cognitive science research, favoring behaviorist principles.
- Billionaires and privatization efforts influence education reforms, with examples from the UK under Michael Gove, whose policies faced significant backlash.
- Standardized testing data cited to support behaviorist approaches is weak and inconclusive, especially when comparing US and UK scores.
- Researchers challenge CLT’s assertions, presenting evidence that critical thinking can be taught and transferred beyond content mastery.
Pardons, Power, and the Maxwell Mystery: What Trump Doesn’t Want You to Ask – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/08/09/pardons-power-and-the-maxwell-mystery-what-trump-doesnt-want-you-to-ask/
### Key Points
- Donald Trump has used presidential powers, including pardons, for personal preservation, raising moral, legal, and political concerns.
- His remarks about Ghislaine Maxwell in 2020, coupled with her alleged role in grooming minors, were unsettling and tested the boundaries of public accountability.
- The constitutional framework for presidential pardons is meant to preserve justice, not shield allies or serve self-interest. Abuse of this power could meet thresholds for bribery or obstruction.
- Historical examples, such as Nixon’s pardon discussions during Watergate and Ford’s pardon of Nixon, highlight the importance of intent in acts of clemency.
- Maxwell’s transfer to a lower-security prison has fueled suspicions of preferential treatment and potential agreements to protect powerful individuals.
- Discrepancies in Epstein’s prison footage and shifting narratives about Trump’s connection to Epstein have eroded public trust in the justice system.
- Allegations about Trump’s ties to Epstein and the lack of transparency regarding the so-called Epstein client list continue to deepen public skepticism.
- The political right has weaponized pedophilia allegations against opponents while ignoring credible cases involving their own allies, demonstrating hypocrisy.
- Consistent application of justice principles is essential to protect vulnerable individuals and uphold the rule of law.
- Abuse of the pardon power undermines democracy and erodes public trust, necessitating scrutiny by Congress, courts, and the press.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
8-9-25
8-9-25
The article is a collection of various topics related to education, politics, societal issues, and current events. It includes discussions on media integrity, immigration policies, liberal arts education, controversies surrounding charter schools, standardized testing, and other pressing matters impacting public education and broader societal dynamics.
### Key Points
- CBS agreed to a $16 million settlement with Trump and installed a "bias monitor" reporting directly to him to resolve a lawsuit and secure FCC approval for a merger.
- Immigrant children in Oklahoma schools live in fear due to ICE raids and strict immigration policies, causing absenteeism and anxiety.
- Liberal arts education at the University of Tulsa’s Honors College was popular among students but was closed due to financial and vocational education priorities.
- Jeffrey Epstein’s social circle included high-profile figures, yet many deny deep connections after his crimes were exposed.
- A meeting at JD Vance’s residence aimed to rewrite *The Epstein Files Season 3* narrative amid its poor reception, focusing on deflecting controversies.
- Standardized testing disproportionately impacts marginalized students, perpetuating systemic racism and benefiting the testing industry.
- Oklahoma’s education leader proposed a politically biased test for incoming teachers, favoring MAGA-aligned perspectives.
- Pro-social lies are explored as small untruths told to maintain social harmony, emphasizing kindness over blunt honesty.
- Unity’s modifications to the SHIP program for retirees make it overly complex and discouraging for users.
- Ireland defied Trump’s threats by supporting Palestine and boycotting trade with illegal Israeli settlements.
- Charter schools are often located in industrial zones or environmentally hazardous areas, raising safety and environmental concerns.
- Researchers at Harvard discovered lithium deficiency may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting potential for early diagnosis and treatment.
- Trump’s policies, including budget cuts and executive orders, negatively impact public education, migrant families, and international relations.
- Advocates call for alternatives to standardized tests, such as performance-based assessments and collaborative projects.
- AI ethics and societal risks are discussed, highlighting concerns about misinformation and self-preservation tactics.
- Climate change impacts, such as wildfire smoke, are emphasized as urgent issues.
- Libraries play a crucial role in combating misinformation and preserving intellectual freedom amid AI distortions.
- Charter schools divert resources from public schools, creating parallel systems that serve fewer students at the expense of the majority.
