Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
8-23-25
8-23-25
Big Education Ape: DONALD TRUMP: THE BAD BOY OF HISTORY’S HALL OF INFAMY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/donald-trump-bad-boy-of-historys-hall.html
### Key Points
- The article draws comparisons between Donald Trump and historical figures like Andrew Jackson, Millard Fillmore, Herbert Hoover, Grover Cleveland, and King George III, highlighting similarities in populism, nativism, outsider status, and authoritarian tendencies.
- Trump’s second term is portrayed as a blend of authoritarian tactics, controversial appointments, and divisive rhetoric, further solidifying his reputation as a polarizing figure in U.S. history.
- The article explores global parallels, likening Trump’s style to figures like Mussolini and Henry VIII, emphasizing his unique ability to remix historical traits with modern media mastery.
- Trump’s legacy is framed as a chaotic yet impactful phenomenon, blending elements of historical “bad boys” with his own brand of spectacle, defiance, and resilience.
Big Education Ape: LET'S CHECK THIS WEEK'S TOP NEWS AND OTHER STORIES 8-23-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/lets-check-this-weeks-top-news-and_0641018748.html
Big Education Ape covers diverse topics ranging from political controversies involving Donald Trump to the evolving role of AI in education. It highlights issues such as gerrymandering, the privatization of public schools, and the importance of medically accurate sexual education. Additionally, it explores the intersection of technology, climate solutions, and education reform, along with weekly blog roundups and public education advocacy.
### Key Points
- Donald Trump is portrayed as a controversial figure in American political history, with discussions on his impact.
- The growth of fascist police power and public resistance in Washington D.C. is highlighted.
- The importance of tailored educational approaches for community success is emphasized.
- Only 37% of U.S. states mandate medically accurate sexual education, revealing inconsistencies in state policies.
- AI integration in classrooms is explored, focusing on its benefits and challenges, including teacher bots and math quizzes.
- School choice policies are critiqued as potentially reinforcing segregation, referencing historical parallels with Jim Crow laws.
- Advocacy for expanding the U.S. House of Representatives to address gerrymandering is discussed.
- Rooftop solar energy is promoted as a key climate solution, tying humanity and AI to sustainability efforts.
- Public education is defended against privatization efforts by billionaires, emphasizing grassroots resistance.
- Diane Ravitch and other public education advocates are featured, promoting equity and reform.
Big Education Ape: COLD OPEN: HUMANITY, AI, AND THE CARBON CLOCK: Why Rooftop Solar Is Our Best Bet https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/cold-open-humanity-ai-and-carbon-clock.html
Big Education Ape's article explores the intersection of humanity, AI, and climate change, emphasizing rooftop solar as a crucial solution to combat rising temperatures and support clean energy infrastructure. It highlights the benefits, challenges, and necessary policies to scale rooftop solar systems, while discussing AI's role in optimizing energy solutions globally.
### Key Points
- Rooftop solar is a cost-effective, resilient solution to reduce carbon emissions and stabilize the energy grid.
- Climate change projections show catastrophic impacts if emissions aren't peaked by the mid-2030s, with tipping points threatening ecosystems and humanity.
- AI can enhance renewable energy forecasting and optimize solar systems but requires clean energy to operate sustainably.
- Challenges include upfront costs, grid management issues, aesthetic concerns, and resistance from utility companies.
- Policy recommendations include mandatory solar installations, subsidies, battery incentives, and equitable access for low-income households.
- California's solar mandate serves as a model, demonstrating emissions reductions and economic benefits.
- Global examples show rooftop solar scalability, with countries like Germany and Australia leading adoption efforts.
Big Education Ape: TIME TO SUPERSIZE THE HOUSE: WHY THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NEEDS A BIGGER SPEEDO (GERRYMANDERING) https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/time-to-supersize-house-why-us-house-of.html
The article argues for expanding the U.S. House of Representatives, highlighting that its current size of 435 members, set in 1929, inadequately represents a growing population of 340 million. This imbalance leads to disproportionately large districts, diminished constituent representation, and distorted democracy, exacerbated by gerrymandering. The piece advocates for reforms like the "Wyoming Rule" or "Cube Root Rule" to increase seats, improve representation, reduce campaign costs, and mitigate gerrymandering. It also addresses logistical concerns and political resistance while emphasizing grassroots efforts to push for change.
### Key Points
- The U.S. House of Representatives has remained at 435 seats since 1929, despite a quadrupled population, leading to oversized districts and diminished representation.
- Gerrymandering worsens the representation issue, distorting election outcomes through manipulative district designs.
- Expanding the House could reduce district sizes, improve fairness, and align with the Founders’ vision of proportional representation.
- Proposed reforms like the "Wyoming Rule" or "Cube Root Rule" could increase seats and enhance democracy without requiring a constitutional amendment.
- Critics cite logistical challenges, costs, and potential inefficiency, but solutions like new facilities and tech upgrades are feasible.
- Grassroots campaigns and advocacy are essential to drive the expansion of the House and combat gerrymandering.
“The Play’s the Thing….” | The Merrow Report https://themerrowreport.com/2025/08/23/the-plays-the-thing-2/
### Key Points
- The author recounts an experience teaching a group of "Fours" (students deemed lower-performing) by engaging them in writing and producing a play, which transformed their status and self-worth within the school.
- Students were empowered to become producers of knowledge through creative activities, allowing them to achieve significant accomplishments and learn teamwork, discipline, and other virtues.
- The banning of cellphones in schools is deemed necessary due to their negative impact on mental health, social development, and academic focus.
- Social media accessed via cellphones contributes to depression, anxiety, body image issues, and overexposure to harmful content, especially for teenagers.
- The article argues that banning cellphones alone is insufficient and proposes additional steps to engage students positively.
- Schools should restore extracurricular activities like theatre, art, and music to provide meaningful opportunities for students to connect and learn creatively.
- Homeroom periods could be extended to foster emotional connection, social growth, and provide students with a safe and pressure-free space.
- Expanding course offerings to include vocational training and college classes can meet students where they are and broaden their opportunities.
- Schools must ensure safety in three areas: physical, emotional, and intellectual, fostering an environment of respect, curiosity, and academic achievement.
- Removing cellphones creates opportunities for students to engage with peers and explore life beyond social media, but only if adults proactively guide them.
glen brown: Jack White's Response to Steven Cheung https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/08/jack-whites-response-to-steven-cheung.html
- Jack White criticizes Donald Trump for his alleged manipulation, divisive tactics, and failure in leadership, highlighting issues such as racism, fascism, and disregard for public welfare.
- White responds to insults from a White House spokesperson, defending his artistic integrity and calling out the administration's alleged hypocrisy and corruption.
- The blog post reflects broader themes of political dissent, social justice, and resistance against oppression, aligning with Glen Brown's persona of advocating for truth and justice.
- The blog includes commentary on various topics such as pensions, healthcare, environmental issues, education reform, and international conflicts.
- The blog's library covers diverse subjects, including poetry, humor, historical analyses, and critiques of political figures and policies.
Schools Matter: Five Ways to Fight Trump's Fascism http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/08/five-ways-to-fight-trumps-fascism.html
- The blog emphasizes the impact of classmates on a child's learning, citing James Coleman’s 1972 statement.
- It discusses strategies to counteract what the author perceives as fascist tendencies under Trump's leadership.
- The blog explores various educational topics, including the role of poverty in student success, corporate influence on education, and the rise of standardized testing.
- The archive showcases a wide range of posts addressing political, social, and educational issues from 2005 to 2025.
- Reviews and essays delve into topics like teacher education reform, public school challenges, and literacy legislation.
The NYC race for mayor. The "Meme Lord" and the Disgraced Former Governor (DFG). https://fredklonsky.substack.com/p/the-nyc-race-for-mayor-the-meme-lord
- The NYC mayoral race is intensifying, with candidates like Zohran Mamdani leading, while Jason Levin ("Meme Lord") and disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo (DFG) attempt to replicate Mamdani's successful social media strategy.
- Mamdani's social media success is attributed to its authenticity and substance, which DFG lacks, despite efforts like hiring a young social media advisor who is a known Trump supporter.
- Behind closed doors, DFG aligns himself with Trump and wealthy elites, undermining his public image further.
- The article promotes an upcoming political discussion on Lumpen Radio about the NYC mayoral race and broader political topics.
Education Research Report: Only 37% of US states require sexual education in schools to be medically accurate https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/08/only-37-of-us-states-require-sexual.html
- Only 37% of U.S. states require sexual education in schools to be medically accurate, and no federal law mandates its inclusion in curricula.
- 42 states require students to take at least one sexual education course, but only 19 states mandate medical accuracy, with five of these limiting accuracy to specific topics.
- 34 states emphasize abstinence in sexual education, despite its ineffectiveness, and allow parents to opt their children out of instruction.
- Adolescents face disproportionate risks of STDs, HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies, and unhealthy relationships, highlighting the need for comprehensive sexual education.
- Regional disparities exist in sexual education mandates, with Northeast states leading in inclusivity.
- Instruction on topics like contraception, consent, sexual orientation, and healthy relationships is far less common than abstinence-focused education.
- Some states use stigmatizing messaging about sexual orientation, linking same-sex activity to AIDS exposure.
- Parental opt-in/out policies serve as political compromises but may limit the effectiveness of state mandates.
- Sociopolitical forces heavily influence sexual education policies, favoring abstinence-only approaches in certain states.
The Santa Barbara Story of Education Success and Why Communities Deserve Custom-Made – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/08/23/the-santa-barbara-story-of-education-success-and-why-communities-deserve-custom-made/
### Key Points
- Custom-made keynotes are essential to connect with audiences by tailoring speeches to their unique challenges, values, and aspirations.
- Communities differ in history, demographics, and culture, requiring tailored messages for meaningful engagement and transformation.
- Customization involves listening, researching, designing interactive experiences, and delivering with authenticity.
- Santa Barbara Unified School District's back-to-school event highlighted literacy and math score improvements, reflecting the power of belief and collaboration in education.
- Equity and support systems were emphasized as crucial for fostering emotional safety, mental health, and belonging among students.
- Results should serve as mirrors and maps, guiding educators to align outcomes with values through systemic thinking and moral courage.
- Custom-made talks inspire collective reflection, courage, and recommitment to purpose, making them more impactful than generic speeches.
- Julian Vasquez Heilig is a renowned speaker who blends storytelling, scholarship, and interaction to inspire transformation in education and society.
Choosing Democracy: Pushing MAGA Out: The Resistance Rises https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2025/08/pushing-maga-out-resistance-rises.html
### Key Points
- The article discusses strategies to counter MAGA (Make America Great Again) influence, aiming to prevent authoritarian rule and establish a new governing coalition by 2028.
- It emphasizes the need for mass resistance, including protests, workplace actions, civil disobedience, and organized noncompliance, to defend democratic rights and ensure free and fair elections.
- The focus is on defeating MAGA candidates in the 2026 and 2028 elections to strengthen an anti-MAGA coalition at federal, state, and local levels.
- Strengthening the progressive wing of the anti-MAGA coalition is critical for shaping electoral politics, influencing policy, and increasing political weight in blue, purple, and red states.
- Failure to achieve substantial change could allow MAGA to regain power.
Choosing Democracy: Fascist Police Power Grows.: Invasion of Washington D.C. https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2025/08/fascist-police-power-grows-invasion-of.html
### Key Points
- The article discusses the federal occupation of Washington D.C. under President Trump, involving armed agents and violent tactics targeting immigrants, the unhoused, and working-class residents.
- State violence and terror have normalized, leading to societal decay and further marginalizing vulnerable populations, while failing to address systemic issues like poverty.
- Local government in D.C. has failed to effectively respond to the occupation, with some officials openly collaborating with federal forces.
- Grassroots resistance has emerged, with mutual aid networks, community patrols, and anti-fascist groups organizing to counter federal repression and protect vulnerable communities.
- Activists call for mass rallies, political organizing, and solidarity against the occupation, emphasizing the abolition of ICE and the fight against predatory capitalism.
- Resources for action include reporting tools, mutual aid hotlines, and political education initiatives to support the resistance.
Voucher Money Games in Pennsylvania How one lucky poker player is changing PA politics https://theeducationreport.substack.com/p/voucher-money-games-in-pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania's school choice lobby is primarily funded by Jeff Yass, a wealthy poker player turned investor, who heavily contributes to GOP candidates advocating for public school privatization.
- Students First PAC, founded in 2010, is essentially controlled by Yass as its sole contributor. It has funneled over $30 million into political efforts, mostly through the Commonwealth Children's Choice Fund, to push for privatizing public schools in Pennsylvania.
- Transparency USA data highlights that nearly all funding for the Commonwealth Children's Choice Fund comes from Students First PAC, showcasing Yass's significant financial influence on Pennsylvania politics.
Oakland Public Education Fund Questioned | tultican https://tultican.com/2025/08/23/oakland-public-education-fund-questioned/
### Key Points
- The Oakland Public Education Fund (OPEF) has assets of $25M and an annual income exceeding $15M, raising questions about its influence beyond education.
- OPEF's origins trace back to funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and leadership by Jonathan Klein, linked to Teach for America and pro-charter school initiatives.
- OPEF partnered with Salesforce in 2016 to fund middle school math and computer science programs, sparking concerns over corporate influence on school curricula.
- Major funding sources include billionaires through organizations like the Silicon Valley Community Fund, which obscures donor identities.
- OPEF supports groups promoting privatization, such as GO Public Schools and Educate78, which advocate for charter schools over public schools.
- The T. Gary and Kathleen Rogers Family Foundation significantly contributed to OPEF and other pro-privatization efforts, especially after T. Gary Rogers' death.
- The Rogers Foundation announced plans to sunset its Oakland education grantmaking, but its remaining assets could still impact public education.
- Concerns persist about OPEF's influence on OUSD decision-making and its alignment with anti-public school agendas.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
8-22-25
8-22-25
The article is a compilation of blog posts and news pieces covering various topics in education, politics, AI integration, environmental issues, and societal challenges. It highlights systemic problems in public education, the role of AI, political controversies, and efforts to improve equity and democracy.
### Key Points
- Judge Kathleen M. Williams orders the closure of "Alligator Alcatraz" due to environmental risks in the Everglades.
- The Trump administration rescinded guidance requiring schools to accommodate English-language learners, alarming advocates.
- Federal Judge Henry Wingate blocked Mississippi's ban on DEI programs in public schools, citing constitutional concerns.
- Rooftop solar is emphasized as a cost-effective solution to reduce carbon emissions and stabilize energy grids.
- Expanding the U.S. House of Representatives is proposed to improve representation and reduce gerrymandering.
- AI models in classrooms are explored for creative learning but raise concerns about replacing teachers and systemic bias.
- School choice policies are critiqued as exacerbating segregation and privatization, undermining public education.
- Universities are failing Native students due to systemic marginalization and performative inclusion.
- Metro Nashville Public Schools leadership faces criticism for extravagant spending and ethical concerns.
- Americans with less education are biologically aging faster, with disparities linked to educational inequality.
- KIPP NYC College Prep allegedly manipulates rankings in the US News & World Report.
- Ohio's EdChoice voucher program is deemed unconstitutional for diverting public funds to religious schools.
- The Seattle Times op-ed critiques the "Highly Capable Cohort" program for exclusivity and racial inequities.
- Netanyahu denies starvation in Gaza, sparking international outrage amidst worsening humanitarian crises.
- Concerns are raised about military leadership changes under Trump, potentially enabling unconstitutional actions.
- Studies highlight issues like bullying, media literacy gaps, and police presence in schools, impacting student mental health and equity.
- Chronic absenteeism in California schools drops due to family engagement strategies.
