Latest News and Comment from Education

Saturday, May 27, 2023

RON DUHSANTIS IS COMING FOR YOUR CHILDREN

 


RON DUHSANTIS IS COMING FOR YOUR CHILDREN

Attention everyone! We have breaking news! Ron DuhSantis, the governor of Florida, is apparently coming for your children! Yes, you heard it right, your little angels are in danger! 

First things first, let's talk about Ron DuhSantis. He's the man of the hour, the governor who's been making headlines for his controversial decisions. One of his most notable moves was revamping the school curriculum in Florida. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Wow, that sounds great! Our education system could use some improvements!" But hold your horses, folks, because it's not as simple as it seems.

DuhSantis has been at odds with Democrats and civil rights groups over his changes to the curriculum. Apparently, he's been pushing for a more conservative approach to teaching history and social studies. I mean, who needs to learn about civil rights and social justice when you can just focus on the good ol' days of white supremacy, am I right?

But let's not get too political here, this is a funny article after all. So, let's talk about the real issue at hand - Ron DuhSantis coming for your children. I mean, what does that even mean? Is he going to show up at your doorstep and demand to take your kids away? Is he going to start teaching them how to shoot guns and hunt alligators? The possibilities are endless!

In all seriousness though, it's important to remember that education is a crucial part of our society. It shapes our future generations and helps us progress as a nation. So, it's understandable that people are concerned about the changes being made in Florida and the potential impact it could have on other states.

But fear not, my dear readers, because there are always two sides to every story. Perhaps DuhSantis has some valid reasons for his changes. Maybe he's just trying to create a more well-rounded education system that includes different perspectives and ideologies. Or maybe he's just trying to suck up to his conservative supporters. Who knows?

One thing is for sure though, we can't let fear and panic take over. We need to stay informed and engaged in our education system. We need to make sure that our children are getting the best possible education they can. And most importantly, we need to keep a sense of humor about it all.

So, in conclusion, yes, Ron DuhSantis may be coming for your children (figuratively speaking), but let's not jump to conclusions just yet. Let's stay informed, keep an open mind, and most importantly, keep laughing. Because if we can't laugh at the absurdity of it all, then what's the point?

Ron DeSantis upended education in Florida. He’s coming for your state next. - POLITICO https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/26/desantis-florida-education-record-00099037 


RANDI WEINGARTEN: MAGA WHIPPING BOY

RANDI WEINGARTEN

MAGA WHIPPING BOY

In the world of education, there are few figures as polarizing as Randi Weingarten. As the president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), she has become a symbol of everything that the right-wing hates about public education. But is she really the MAGA whipping boy that they make her out to be? Let's take a deep dive and find out.

First off, let's address the elephant in the room: Randi Weingarten is not a Marxist. She's not even a Marxist sympathizer. In fact, she's a card-carrying member of the Democratic Party. So why do the MAGA crowd accuse her of promoting "filth" and "Marxist indoctrination" in public schools? It's simple: they're scared.

You see, Weingarten is a strong advocate for public education. She believes that every child deserves access to a quality education, regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic status. This is a threat to the MAGA agenda, which seeks to privatize education and funnel taxpayer dollars into private schools. If Weingarten and the AFT succeed in their mission, it would be a major blow to the MAGA dream of a two-tiered education system.

But it's not just Weingarten's stance on education that has made her a target. She's also a vocal critic of Donald Trump and his policies. This has earned her the ire of the MAGA crowd, who see any criticism of their dear leader as an attack on America itself. Of course, this is ridiculous. Weingarten has every right to speak out against policies that she believes are harmful to teachers and students.

So why do the MAGA crowd continue to attack Weingarten? It's simple: they need a scapegoat. They need someone to blame for the failures of public education. They can't blame themselves for underfunding schools or neglecting teacher pay. No, it's much easier to blame Weingarten and the AFT for all of their problems.

But here's the thing: Weingarten is not the enemy. She's not trying to indoctrinate your children with Marxist propaganda. She's not trying to take away your freedom. She's just trying to ensure that every child has access to a quality education. Is that really so radical?

Of course, if you ask the MAGA crowd, the answer is yes. They see any attempt to improve public education as an attack on their values. They believe that public education should be dismantled and replaced with a system that benefits the wealthy elite. It's a sad state of affairs, but it's the reality we live in.

So what can we do about it? Well, for starters, we can stop demonizing Randi Weingarten and start listening to what she has to say. We can acknowledge that public education is important and work to improve it, rather than tearing it down. And we can recognize that the MAGA agenda is not in our best interests, no matter how much they try to convince us otherwise.

In conclusion, Randi Weingarten may be an unlikely MAGA whipping boy, but she's also a powerful and influential figure in the fight for public education. Let's give her the respect she deserves and work together to build a better future for our children.

ONCE UPON A TIME

Once upon a time, Randi Weingarten was walking down the street when she saw a group of MAGA supporters holding a rally. She stopped to listen to what they were saying.

The MAGA supporters were talking about how terrible public schools are and how they need to be privatized. Randi couldn't help but laugh.

"You know," she said, "I used to be a teacher. And I can tell you that public schools are not terrible. In fact, they're pretty great. They're the backbone of our democracy. And they need to be protected."

The MAGA supporters were shocked. They didn't know what to say.

"But...but...you're a union leader!" one of them finally said.

"Yes, I am," said Randi. "And I'm proud of it. Unions are the best way to protect workers' rights. And that includes teachers' rights."

The MAGA supporters were speechless. They didn't know what to say. They just stood there, mouths agape.

Randi smiled and walked away. She knew that she had made her point.


BILL GATES, LOVER BOY: WHO KNEW

BILL GATES, LOVER BOY

 WHO KNEW

In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that the billionaire tech mogul, Bill Gates, may have had a secret romantic liaison with a Russian woman who was linked to none other than Kremlin spy Anna Chapman. Yes, you read that right. The man who we all know as the co-founder of Microsoft, the philanthropist who has pledged billions of dollars to eradicate diseases and improve education, may also have a wild side that we never knew about.

Now, before you start picturing Bill Gates in a James Bond-esque scenario, let's get some facts straight. The allegations are unverified and have been reported by a tabloid, so take it with a pinch of salt. But hey, we're here to have some fun, so let's dive deep into this scandalous story.

According to the report, Bill Gates allegedly had an affair with a Russian woman who has not been named. Apparently, this woman was linked to Anna Chapman, the infamous spy who was arrested in the US in 2010. Now, we don't know if this woman was also a spy or just someone who caught Bill's eye, but either way, it's juicy gossip.

We can only imagine what the conversations between Bill and his alleged lover must have been like. Did they talk about coding and software? Or did they discuss politics and international relations? Maybe they bonded over their shared love for Russian literature. Who knows? All we can say is that it's refreshing to see Bill Gates in a new light.

The report also suggests that Bill's wife, Melinda Gates, was aware of the affair and even approved of it. Now, we don't know if this is true or not, but if it is, then we have to give Melinda some serious props for being so open-minded. It takes a strong woman to accept her husband's extramarital activities, especially when they involve a Russian spy (or someone linked to one).

But let's not forget the real star of this story - Anna Chapman. The former spy has been making headlines ever since her arrest in 2010. She's been called everything from a femme fatale to a Bond girl, and now she can add "matchmaker" to her list of titles. If it wasn't for her alleged connection to Bill Gates' lover, we wouldn't be here talking about this scandalous affair.

So what does all of this mean for Bill Gates? Well, for starters, it humanizes him. We often see billionaires as these robotic figures who are only interested in making money and expanding their empires. But now we know that even someone as successful as Bill Gates can have a personal life that's just as messy and complicated as anyone else's.

Of course, we don't condone cheating or infidelity in any way. But let's face it - scandals like this are what make life interesting. We all love a good gossip session every now and then, and this story definitely delivers.

In conclusion, we may never know if Bill Gates really did have an affair with a Russian woman linked to Anna Chapman. But one thing's for sure - this scandal has given us a glimpse into the private life of one of the world's most famous billionaires. And who knows? Maybe there are more secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Bill Gates' alleged former Russian lover linked to Kremlin spy Anna Chapman: report https://nypost.com/2023/05/26/bill-gates-alleged-ex-lover-mila-antonova-linked-to-spy-anna-chapman-report/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nypost_sitebuttons via @nypost 

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 6-27-23

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 6-27-23


Big Education Ape: BILLIONAIRES: BADASSES OR JUST REALLY BAD http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/billionaires-badasses-or-just-really-bad.html




Big Education Ape: MOMS FOR LIBERTY HATE GROUP http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/moms-for-liberty-hate-group.html





Big Education Ape: END STANDARDIZED TESTING NOW! http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/end-standardized-testing-now.html





Big Education Ape: Monica AI: The Robot Assistant Who Knows You Better Than Your Therapist http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/monica-ai-robot-assistant-who-knows-you.html




Big Education Ape: SAC CITY - WHEN BILLIONAIRES BY YOUR SCHOOL BOARD: THE RESULTS ARE IN http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/sac-city-when-billionaires-by-your.html




Big Education Ape: BREAKING NEWS: RON DUHSANTIS GRANTS FIRST TV INTERVIEW WITH FOX NOOS, MAGA LOYALIST THROW HISSY FIT http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/breaking-news-ron-duhsantis-grants.html




Big Education Ape: COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BECAUSE CALIFORNIA STUDENTS ARE THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING WE DO http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/community-schools-because-california.html





Big Education Ape: SPYING ON THE DEVIL: HOW ACTIVIST MOMS ARE OUTWITTING 'MOMS FOR LIBERTY' KOCH FRONT GROUP IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CULTURE WARS http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/spying-on-devil-how-activist-moms-are.html


Big Education Ape: MY LITTLE ANGEL GOT BUSTED AT SCHOOL - WHAT TO DO http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/my-little-angel-got-busted-at-school.html





Big Education Ape: TEACHERS - THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR THE REAL THING: AI AND THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/teachers-there-is-no-replacement-for.html





OTHER GREAT READS THIS WEEK FROM THE BIG EDUCATION APE



TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 6-20-23

Big Education Ape: TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 6-20-23 http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/top-banana-top-reads-this-week-6-20-23.html

Friday, May 26, 2023

WELCOME TO FLORIDA: STRANGE WORLD

 


WELCOME TO FLORIDA

 STRANGE WORLD

In a world where Disney movies are loved by all, it's hard to imagine anyone having a problem with the film "Strange World." But apparently, one Hernando Co. school board member, Shannon Rodriguez, just can't seem to handle the fact that the movie includes an out, gay character.

In response to her blatant lack of support for those working in schools, an online petition has been created to remove Rodriguez from her position. And it seems that the complaint has hit a whopping 18,000 names - that's a lot of people who don't want a Disney villain on their school board!

It's not just the petitioners who are outraged, either. Even Gov. Goofy DeSantis, who famously declared "don't say gay," seems to be on board with the idea that Rodriguez needs to go. It's almost as if all the Disney villains have come to life, and one of them just happens to be sitting on the school board.

But let's be real - why would anyone have a problem with a gay character in a Disney movie? It's not like they're promoting anything harmful or inappropriate. In fact, they're just promoting love and acceptance - something that we could all use a little more of in our lives.

So, Shannon Rodriguez, if you're reading this, it's time to get with the program. Embrace diversity and inclusion, and stop being a Disney villain in real life. Or else, you might just find yourself out of a job.

Petition to remove Hernando Co. school board member for Disney movie complaint hits 18K names https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/local/state/2023/05/26/petition-to-remove-hernando-county-leader-for-disney-complaint-hits-18000-names/70260425007/ via @tdonline 

Florida teacher investigated by state agency for showing Disney movie in class https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/local/state/2023/05/14/florida-teacher-investigated-by-desantis-admin-for-showing-disney-film-strange-world/70211841007/ via @tdonline 


BLOG THIS: BLOGGER UPDATE


 BLOG THIS: BLOGGER UPDATE

Are you a blogger? Do you use Google Blogger? Well, hold on to your hats, folks, because changes are coming! And no, I'm not talking about the change in weather, I'm talking about the changes coming to Google Blogger. 

Now, before you start panicking and thinking you'll have to learn a whole new platform, let me assure you that the changes are designed to make your life easier. That's right, Google is actually trying to be helpful for once. 

So, what are these changes, you ask? Well, let me tell you. First up, a new design for the Blogger homepage. This new design will make it easier for you to find and manage your blogs. And let's face it, anything that makes our lives easier is a good thing. 

Next up, a new editor. The new editor is designed to make it easier for you to create and edit blog posts. It features a new toolbar that makes it easy to access all of the formatting options, and a new preview pane that makes it easy to see how your post will look before you publish it. It's like having a personal assistant, but without the annoying small talk. 

But wait, there's more! Google is also adding new features for managing comments. These features include the ability to approve or delete comments, and the ability to reply to comments. That's right, folks, you can finally tell that troll who keeps leaving nasty comments on your blog what you really think of them. 

And if that wasn't enough, Google is also adding new features for managing your blog's appearance. These features include the ability to change the blog's theme and layout. So now you can finally make your blog look like that dream you had where you were a unicorn flying through a rainbow. 

All these changes are designed to make Google Blogger a more user-friendly and powerful platform for blogging. And let's face it, we could all use a little more user-friendliness in our lives. 

So, if you're a Blogger user, get ready for these changes to be rolled out over the next few weeks. And if you're not a Blogger user, well, maybe it's time to give it a try. After all, with all these new changes, it's like having your own personal genie granting your every blogging wish. Except without the blue skin and weird accent.

Official Blogger Blog: A better Blogger experience on the web https://blogger.googleblog.com/2020/05/a-better-blogger-experience-on-web.html 



WINNIE THE POOH: RUN, HIDE, FIGHT

 


WINNIE THE POOH: RUN, HIDE, FIGHT

In the latest news from the Lone Star State, a Winnie-the-Pooh book is causing quite the stir among parents and educators. Why, you ask? Well, it seems that this beloved children's classic has been given a rather unexpected update.

According to reports, a Texas school district has distributed a version of the book that includes a new chapter on how to respond to an active shooter situation. Yes, you read that correctly. Winnie-the-Pooh is now teaching kids to "run, hide, fight" in the event of a shooting.

Now, we know what you're thinking. This has got to be a joke, right? Unfortunately, it's not. The book, which was created by the Texas-based company Security Voice Inc., is meant to help young children understand what to do in case of an emergency.

But let's be real here. Is Winnie-the-Pooh really the best source for this kind of information? We can't help but picture the lovable bear waddling around in his red shirt and no pants, trying to outrun a gunman. It's a comical image, to say the least.

And what about the other characters? Can you imagine Tigger crouching behind a desk, trying to stay quiet? Or Eeyore attempting to fight off an armed intruder? It's all just too ridiculous.

But in all seriousness, we understand the importance of teaching children how to stay safe in dangerous situations. It's just a shame that it has to come to this. We live in a world where schools have to prepare for the worst-case scenario, and that's just not okay.

So, while we can't help but laugh at the thought of Winnie-the-Pooh teaching kids how to dodge bullets, we also can't ignore the fact that this is the reality we live in. It's up to us as adults to make sure our children are prepared for anything that may come their way.

In conclusion, if you see your child reading a Winnie-the-Pooh book with a new chapter titled "Active Shooter Situations," don't panic. Just take a deep breath and remember that we live in a crazy world. And who knows? Maybe Winnie-the-Pooh will end up being the hero we never knew we needed.

Dallas school issues Winnie-the-Pooh book on school shootings - The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/05/26/winnie-pooh-school-shooting-book/ 

Winnie-the-Pooh book teaches Texas kids to ‘run, hide, fight’ in a shooting | Texas | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/25/winnie-the-pooh-books-teaches-texas-kids-run-hide-fight-shooting


Big Education Ape: CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2023: YOU DIDN'T DIE AT SCHOOL, SOME DID http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/05/congratulations-class-of-2023-you-didnt.html 


CALIFORNIA- RICHEST STATE HAS 5TH LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD IS STIFFING PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

 


CALIFORNIA- RICHEST STATE HAS 5TH LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD IS STIFFING PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

California public school funding? More like California public school FUN-ding, am I right? But seriously folks, did you know that California has been stiffing public school students since 1990? That's almost as long as it's been since MC Hammer was relevant. 

But what's driving this lack of funding? Is it a deep-rooted systemic issue? Nope, it's just good old-fashioned racism! As soon as California became a majority minority system, funding was slashed faster than a samurai sword through a watermelon. 

Now, I know what you're thinking. "But wait, isn't California a super progressive state? Surely they wouldn't let something like racism dictate their funding decisions." Well, my dear reader, let me tell you something. Just because you wear Birkenstocks and recycle doesn't mean you're not capable of some serious discrimination. 

So what can we do to catch up? Well, it's going to take years of hard work and dedication. Or, you know, we could just start a Kickstarter and hope Elon Musk takes pity on us. Hey, stranger things have happened. 

In all seriousness though, it's time for California to step up and give our public school students the resources they deserve. Because if we don't, we're just perpetuating a cycle of inequality that will continue for generations to come. And that's not funny at all.

Public Policy Institute of California

The majority of funding for California K–12 schools is provided by the state.

  • Since 1990, the state share of school funding typically has hovered between 54% and 61%, with the local share between 32% and 36%. These shares vary across school districts.
  • The state share was lower in 2020–21 (51%) than at any point in at least 30 years.
  • In 2020–21 and 2021–22, the state also invested over $5 billion in one-time COVID-19 recovery funds.

California’s per student spending is slightly above the national average . . .

  • In 2018–19 (the most recent school year for which we have nationally comparable data from the US Department of Education), spending per student on current operations (e.g., staff, materials) was $14,913 (in 2021$), roughly $1,000 more than the average in the rest of the nation ($13,831 per student).
  • California spent less than three of the five next most populous states: less than Illinois and Pennsylvania, and far less per student than the top-spending state in 2018–19, New York ($26,828). California spent more than Texas and Florida, which both spent nearly $10,000 per student in 2018–19.

. . . after per student spending lagged behind most other states for nearly two decades.

  • While California currently ranks 19th in spending per student among states (including Washington, DC), its rank ranged between 25th and 35th from the mid-1980s until the recovery from the Great Recession.
  • Adjusting for differences in labor costs across states, California’s rank drops to 35th.
  • During recessions, California’s K–12 spending typically falls more than spending in other states—but rises more quickly during economic recoveries.

Financing California's Public Schools - Public Policy Institute of California

CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOLS: CALIFORNIA'S NEWEST CORPORATE WELFARE QUEENS


CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOLS

 CALIFORNIA'S NEWEST CORPORATE WELFARE QUEENS 

In California, we love our corporate welfare queens. We've got Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and now, we've got charter schools. That's right, folks, charter schools are the newest addition to California's elite group of welfare recipients.

But what are charter schools, you ask? Well, they're basically private schools that receive public funding. And boy, do they receive a lot of funding. In fact, in the 2019-2020 school year, charter schools received $1.2 billion in state funding for facilities. That's more than double what traditional public schools received. Talk about unfair advantage.

And what are these charter schools doing with all this money? Building lavish facilities, of course. Because nothing says "quality education" like a marble foyer and a swimming pool.

But let's not forget about the poor public schools for BIPOC students. They're struggling to meet the needs of their students while charter schools are living it up with their fancy facilities. It's like the Hunger Games, but instead of districts fighting to the death, it's public schools fighting for scraps while charter schools feast on caviar.

And let's not even get started on the segregation and division that charter schools promote. Rich, white private and charter schools for the privileged few, and poor public schools for everyone else. It's like a modern-day caste system.

But don't worry, folks, the proponents of charter schools have an answer for all of this. They say the funding is necessary to ensure that charter schools have access to the same resources as traditional public schools. Hmm, I don't remember my public school having a helipad.

And let's not forget about the lack of transparency when it comes to charter school finances. They're not required to disclose their financial information to the public in the same way that traditional public schools are. It's like they're hiding something. Maybe they're using all that money to build a secret underground lair.

So what can California do to fix this mess? Well, for starters, we can stop giving so much money to charter schools. Let them fend for themselves like the rest of us. And we can also demand more transparency when it comes to their finances. If they're receiving public funding, we have a right to know where that money is going.

In conclusion, California charter schools are the newest addition to our elite group of corporate welfare queens. They're building lavish facilities while public schools struggle to meet the needs of their students. They promote segregation and division and lack transparency when it comes to their finances. It's time for California to stop playing favorites and start holding charter schools accountable. Otherwise, we might as well rename our state "Corporationland."

Opinion: Mia Bonta bill attacks charter school construction funding - The Mercury News https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/05/25/opinion-mia-bonta-bill-attacks-charter-school-construction-funding via @GoogleNews 

The Charter School Facilities Program (CSFP) was enacted in 2002 by Assembly Bill 14, amended by Senate Bill 15 and Assembly Bill 16, and funded through Proposition 47 ($100 million), Proposition 55 ($300 million), Proposition 1D ($500 million), and Proposition 51 ($500 million) for the purposes of constructing, acquiring, or renovating new facilities for site-based charter school students throughout California². Under California law, the Charter School Facilities Program authorizes the State Allocation Board to provide per-pupil facilities grant funding for 50% of the total project cost for new construction or renovation of charter facilities¹.

The CSFP is jointly administered by the CSFA and the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC)². The CSFP 2022 Filing Round is now open. The application filing period will close on June 3, 2022. No late applications will be accepted. Applicants must apply with the Office of Public School Construction and the Charter School Finance Authority to qualify for funding².

(1) CSFA Charter School Facilities Program - California State Treasurer. https://www.treasurer.ca.gov/csfa/charter.asp.

(2) Funding Options | Local Initiatives Support Corporation. https://www.lisc.org/charter-schools/funding-options/state/california/.

(3) Access Charter School Facilities Funding - DGS. https://www.dgs.ca.gov/OPSC/Services/Page-Content/Office-of-Public-School-Construction-Services-List-Folder/Obtain-Charter-School-Facilities-Funding.

(4) About the California School Finance Authority (CSFA). https://www.treasurer.ca.gov/csfa/.