Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
8-28-25
8-28-25
Great News from Local Elections! https://dianeravitch.net/2025/08/27/great-news-from-local-elections/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Democrat Caitlin Drey won a state Senate seat in Iowa, flipping a solidly Republican district and breaking the Republican supermajority. This represents a significant 20-point swing toward Democrats.
- In Georgia, Democrat Debra Shirley led a crowded race for a state Senate seat in a ruby-red district with 39% of the vote. She will face the top Republican candidate in a runoff election on September 23.
- The results signal a shift in traditionally Republican areas, reflecting potential changes in voter sentiment and challenges to gerrymandering efforts.
Texas: Federal Judge Blocks Law Requiring Ten Commandments in Every Classroom https://dianeravitch.net/2025/08/27/183296/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- A federal judge blocked a Texas law mandating Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms, citing constitutional concerns.
- Judge Fred Biery emphasized the potential for unintended religious discussions in schools, which could infringe on students' rights to secular education.
- The ruling referenced hypothetical scenarios and historical religious conflicts to underline the risks of favoring one religion over others.
- The judge criticized the law for favoring Christian denominations and potentially pressuring students into religious observance.
- Plaintiffs argue the law violates the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.
- The case may proceed to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and potentially the Supreme Court, raising broader implications for church-state separation.
A Warning: Trump Declares That "A Lot of People" Want a Dictator https://dianeravitch.net/2025/08/27/trump-declares-that-a-lot-of-people-want-a-dictator/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Donald Trump expressed interest in dictatorship and dismissed constitutional processes, showcasing contempt for Congress and federal laws.
- Trump announced actions like renaming the Department of Defense and firing a Federal Reserve Board member, defying legal authority and constitutional boundaries.
- Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker delivered a powerful rebuttal against Trump’s authoritarian moves, emphasizing federalism and democratic values.
- Pritzker criticized the media’s normalization of Trump’s behavior and called for courage in reporting the truth.
- The article warns about the danger of desensitization to authoritarianism and the erosion of democracy through small, incremental steps.
- It questions whether institutions and citizens will act in time to protect democratic principles.
Big Education Ape: A MODEST PROPOSAL FOR A TRIGGER-HAPPY NATION https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/a-modest-proposal-for-trigger-happy.html
### Key Points
- ICE must present judicial or administrative warrants to enter private property.
- A school shooting in Minneapolis underscores the tragedy of gun violence in the U.S.
- The U.S. has seen 44 school shootings in 2025, with 18 deaths and 74 injuries.
- Southern states lead in school shootings, with Texas and Washington, DC, as key contributors.
- A satirical proposal suggests taxing guns, ammo, and introducing mandatory insurance for gun owners.
- Proposed penalties for gun-related crimes include hefty fines and prison sentences.
- Suggestions include holding gun manufacturers liable for damages caused by their products.
- Revenue from gun taxes could fund mental health programs, school security, and public infrastructure.
- The satire critiques societal reliance on "thoughts and prayers" without actionable solutions.
Big Education Ape: IS RFK JR. A WITCH DOCTOR OR JUST TRYING TO KILL US? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/is-rfk-jr-witch-doctor-or-just-trying.html
Choosing Democracy Labor Day -Solidarity - A demonstration per day keeps the fascists away.
### Key Points
- The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released findings from the May 2025 School Pulse Panel, focusing on trends in education.
- Seattle Times conducted a survey asking how to convince someone to take the job of running Seattle Public Schools.
- Satirical critique of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial tenure as HHS Secretary, highlighting his anti-vaccine stance, personal controversies, and public health policies that have led to outbreaks and diminished trust.
- RFK Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" agenda includes cutting vaccine research, restructuring food assistance programs, and deregulating the FDA, raising concerns about its impact on public health.
- RFK Jr.'s personal life and statements during the COVID-19 pandemic have attracted criticism from health experts and even his own family.
- Public opinion on RFK Jr.'s performance as HHS Secretary is largely negative, as reported by Pew Research Center.
Big Education Ape: TRUMP'S LAW & ORDER FEVER DREAM https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/trumps-law-order-fever-dream.html
Big Education Ape TRUMP'S LAW & ORDER FEVER DREAM - *TRUMP'S LAW & ORDER FEVER DREAM*
### Key Points
- Trump’s fictional TV series, "Law & Order Fever Dream," portrays him as a crime-fighting hero, turning urban cities into theatrical backdrops for his political fantasies. The show is filled with staged and fake scenes involving actors, props, and CGI effects.
- The production exploits federal funds via a “Patriotic Entertainment” clause, while cities struggle with real problems like funding schools and infrastructure.
- The show is a distraction from Trump’s authoritarian tactics, such as consolidating power and replacing civil servants with loyalists. Critics argue it’s propaganda disguised as entertainment.
- Trump’s base enthusiastically supports the show, while local officials and critics condemn its impact on cities and its lack of authenticity.
- Spinoffs like "Pedophile Pursuit" further inflame conspiracy theories, despite lacking evidence and being labeled as ratings stunts.
- The series symbolizes Trump’s strategy of selling fantasies and ignoring real issues, with political analysts considering it a smokescreen for deeper governance problems.
Big Education Ape: Back to School: When August Hijacked September and Summer Got Short-Changed https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/back-to-school-when-august-hijacked.html
The article discusses the shortening of summer vacations in the U.S. due to earlier school start dates, particularly in August, and explores the historical, logistical, and practical reasons behind this trend. It reflects on the nostalgia for traditional post-Labor Day school starts and examines the trade-offs involved in this shift.
Chickens Coming Home to Roost: Latino Voters and Trump’s Assault on Them – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/08/27/chickens-coming-home-to-roost-latino-voters-and-trumps-assault-on-them/
### Key Points
- Latino voters' growing support for Trump has created tensions with African Americans, who view it as a betrayal of shared struggles against racism and inequality.
- The Justice Department's refusal to defend HSI grants threatens decades of progress in supporting Latino students, eroding educational equity.
- Latino families are now facing the real-life consequences of policies they indirectly supported, such as deportations, racial profiling, and financial barriers to higher education.
- Many Latinos justified their Trump vote based on promises about jobs, taxes, and conservative values, but these decisions have proven harmful to their community.
- The dismantling of equity programs and attacks on Latino-focused initiatives mirror historical patterns of systemic exclusion faced by African Americans, emphasizing the need for solidarity.
- Building multiracial coalitions and holding politicians accountable are essential steps for ensuring justice, equity, and opportunity for marginalized communities.
glen brown: "Trump’s already well more than halfway down the road toward fascism" https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/08/trumps-already-well-more-than-halfway.html
- The article explores themes of authoritarianism, oppression, and the erosion of democratic norms under the Trump administration, highlighting Trump's controversial attempts to consolidate power, manipulate monetary policy, and demonize political opponents.
- Trump’s administration is criticized for using fear tactics, such as emphasizing crime and targeting undocumented immigrants, to rally support, while ignoring proven violence prevention strategies.
- The firing of Federal Reserve Board governor Lisa Cook by Trump is depicted as an attack on institutional independence, with economists warning of long-term consequences for U.S. governance.
- The persecution of undocumented immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia illustrates the administration’s disregard for legal norms and human rights, with coercive tactics used to force guilty pleas.
- Recent Democratic victories in local elections signal a shift in political dynamics, with significant swings against Republican strongholds.
- The blog also includes commentary on broader societal issues such as pensions, social justice, healthcare, and environmental concerns, tying them to the author's perspectives on systemic injustice.
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Meeting - August 27, 2025 https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2025/08/seattle-school-board-meeting-august-27.html?spref=tw
### Key Points
- Tragic school shootings in Minneapolis at Catholic schools raise concerns about safety, even in private institutions.
- A Mercer Island teacher was accused of sexual misconduct, leading to criticism of the district's lack of transparency in addressing the issue.
- Memorial Stadium in Seattle is closed for renovation, leading to increased use of other athletic complexes for school sports.
- Washington State public schools are increasingly implementing cell phone bans due to concerns about distractions and mental health impacts.
- Nepotism in Seattle Public Schools raises questions about hiring and promotion practices within the district.
Schools Matter: Know Your Rights When ICE Comes Knocking http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/08/know-your-rights-when-ice-comes-knocking.html
- The blog emphasizes that a child's learning is more influenced by their peers than their teacher, referencing James Coleman’s 1972 findings.
-
The article discusses knowing your rights when dealing with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and highlights various socio-political issues such as poverty, corruption, and education reform.
- Topics include critiques of standardized testing, AI in education, and the intersection of racism and technology.
- Historical and ongoing concerns about public education policies, corporate influence, and the failures of initiatives like No Child Left Behind are explored.
Why Democrats Who Want to Win Should Defend Public Education Evidence from actual elections shows support for public schools is a winner https://theeducationreport.substack.com/p/why-democrats-who-want-to-win-should
- Democrats are reflecting on their losses in the 2024 elections and strategizing to regain ground, with public education emerging as a key issue to connect with voters.
- Some Democratic consultants suggest attacking public schools and supporting "school choice," but evidence indicates this approach is misguided, as most people have a favorable view of their local public schools.
- A Democrat, Catelin Drey, flipped an Iowa state Senate seat by campaigning on defending public schools, increasing funding, and opposing school vouchers, winning by 11 points in a GOP-leaning district.
- Election results in 2024, including in red states like Kentucky and Nebraska, showed strong voter opposition to school vouchers and support for public schools.
- Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear secured re-election in 2023 due to his strong defense of public education, highlighting its importance as a unifying issue across party lines.
Teacher Tom: "Your Footsteps are the Road" https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/08/your-footsteps-are-road.html
- Transformation and self-change come through action, not mere thinking or planning, as highlighted by the philosophy "Your footsteps are the road."
- Preschoolers intuitively understand that embodying roles, like a firefighter, starts with imagination and doing, emphasizing play-based learning.
- Teacher Tom has been blogging about play-based education for over 15 years, compiling 4000+ posts and offering a free download of his top 10 favorites.
- Teacher Tom provides opportunities for event bookings and encourages early scheduling due to high demand.
- Readers can stay updated with Teacher Tom's work by subscribing to his email list, ensuring privacy and minimal inbox clutter.
- Teacher Tom's blog covers diverse topics such as dramatic play, education reform, parenting, and outdoor play.
- Teacher Tom advocates for high-quality, play-based preschool education globally through collaborations with businesses and institutions.
Code Acts in Education: Enumerating AI Effects in Education | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/enumerating
- Recent studies claim generative AI improves learning outcomes, but critics argue these findings are methodologically flawed and overhyped.
- Meta-analyses of ChatGPT's educational impact have gained significant attention online, but their evidentiary standards and quality control are questionable.
- The World Bank study on AI tutoring in Nigeria reports dramatic learning gains, but critics highlight flawed experimental designs and misleading comparisons.
- Statistical claims about AI's effects on education are often generalized beyond their original contexts, driven by a social trust in numbers and their perceived objectivity.
- Viral circulation of quantitative evidence may influence policy decisions, overshadowing slower, qualitative research that offers deeper contextual insights into AI's role in education.
He's Tilting at Windmills Again. Trump surrenders the renewable energy race to China. https://klonsky.substack.com/p/hes-tilting-at-windmills-again
### Key Points
- Trump’s anti-renewable energy stance has led to the cancellation of $19 billion in clean energy projects and the rollback of incentives like tax credits and grants.
- AI expansion is worsening regional energy shortages, consuming massive amounts of electricity reliant on fossil fuels.
- RFK Jr.’s claims about wind energy killing whales and being overly expensive are debunked by NOAA and cost trends.
- China is leading the clean energy race, deploying advanced technologies like airborne wind turbines capable of generating megawatt-level power.
- The U.S. response to China’s dominance includes sabotaging clean energy efforts instead of competing.
The article provides a roundup of various topics related to education, politics, and societal issues, including controversies around authoritarianism, public education challenges, teacher mental health, and equity-focused leadership. It also includes satirical commentary, research findings, and reflections on societal activism.
### Key Points
- ICE must present a signed judicial warrant or administrative warrant to enter private property during arrests or searches.
- A school shooting occurred in Minneapolis at a private Catholic pre-K-8 school.
- Trump suggested Americans want a dictator, reflecting authoritarian tendencies.
- Latino voters are criticized for supporting Trump despite his policies targeting them.
- Trump fired Lisa Cook, a Federal Reserve Governor, citing baseless allegations of mortgage fraud, raising legal and democratic concerns.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismantled autism research programs, focusing on debunked vaccine theories, undermining credible scientific inquiry.
- Satirical commentary imagines Trump appointing Ghislaine Maxwell as Attorney General, critiquing Senate confirmations of controversial figures.
- RFK Jr.'s public health policies, including anti-vaccine stances, have led to outbreaks and diminished trust.
- Trump’s fictional TV series "Law & Order Fever Dream" uses propaganda to distract from governance issues and consolidate power.
- Earlier school start dates in August shorten summer vacations, reflecting logistical and practical trade-offs.
- Satirical depiction of Trump declaring himself Emperor Donald I critiques authoritarianism and highlights rebellion restoring democracy.
- Gregory Washington defended GMU’s diversity practices against Title VI accusations, showcasing equity-focused leadership challenges.
- Teacher Tom reflects on intuitive and empathetic intelligence demonstrated by a preschooler, advocating for fostering these traits.
- Concerns over addiction to electronic devices are humorously explored through cartoons, emphasizing societal and educational impacts.
- Privatization, school vouchers, and standardized testing are accelerating the decline of public education in the U.S.
- The Trump administration’s Special Education Simplified Funding Program undermines IDEA protections for students with disabilities.
- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned Trump’s plan to deploy military personnel to Chicago, calling it unconstitutional and politically motivated.
- Seattle Public Schools is searching for a new superintendent amidst challenges like budget deficits and nepotism concerns.
- Australian teachers experience depression and stress at rates three times the national norm, impacting retention and student outcomes.
- NCES released findings on student behavior, safety, and preparedness, providing insights into high-priority education topics.
- Satirical commentary critiques authoritarian tendencies, misuse of public funds, and societal activism.
