Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
Florida: "We Have Accountability for Food Stamps, Why Not for School Vouchers?" https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/17/florida-we-have-accountability-for-food-stamps-why-not-for-school-vouchers/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Florida's school voucher system lacks oversight, allowing taxpayer money to fund schools with unqualified teachers, flawed curricula, and discriminatory policies.
- Suggested accountability measures include publishing test scores, hiring certified teachers, disclosing curricula, and banning discrimination.
- Critics claim Florida aims to dismantle public schools and shift costs to parents, with ESAs enabling misuse of funds for non-educational purposes.
Kathleen West: I’m Having Some Thoughts About Teaching | Diane Ravitch's blog https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/17/kathleen-west/
### Key Points
- Kathleen West reflects on her teaching career, starting with her early passion for education and her search for an ideal school environment.
- She recounts experiencing the Columbine shooting during her student teaching and the subsequent implementation of active shooter drills in schools.
- West describes various safety protocols, including controversial measures like teaching students to fight back against shooters.
- She highlights the emotional impact of school shootings, particularly after her family members witnessed a recent incident.
- West expresses frustration with societal attitudes toward teachers, the profession's low pay, and the expectation to risk their lives at work.
- Comments from readers emphasize the broader issues of gun violence, political inaction, and the psychological toll on children and educators.
Trump Goes to War....Against American Cities https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/17/trump-goes-to-war-against-american-cities/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Trump faced backlash for attempting federal intervention in Chicago and Memphis, raising concerns about local control and governance.
- Senator Tammy Duckworth criticized Trump for wearing a military cap, citing his draft-dodging history.
- Questions arise about the effectiveness and motives behind deploying the National Guard to cities.
- Broader criticisms of the Republican Party's stance on representative democracy and executive power are discussed.
- Mention of the politicization of education reforms, such as the Science of Reading, and its ideological ties.
Big Education Ape: HHS SECRETARY RFK JR.: LAWYER, WITCH DOCTOR, OR NEW AGE SHAMAN? NAVIGATING THE CLASH OF WESTERN AND NEW AGE MEDICINE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/hhs-secretary-rfk-jr-lawyer-witch.html
### Key Points
- RFK Jr. leads HHS with a mission to "Make America Healthy Again," sparking debate over Western medicine versus New Age practices.
- Western medicine is evidence-based and precise, while New Age medicine emphasizes holistic care but lacks scientific validation.
- Integrative medicine seeks to combine both approaches, blending scientific rigor with complementary therapies.
- RFK Jr.'s policies include scrutinizing Big Pharma and promoting natural remedies, but his vaccine skepticism raises public health concerns.
- The government should prioritize evidence-based healthcare and avoid amplifying misinformation.
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: SEPTEMBER 17TH SHOWDOWN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/todays-great-ai-news-smackdown_17.html
### Key Points
- Trump's administration faces criticism for slashing healthcare funding, dismantling vaccine programs, and weakening public health infrastructure.
- Trump's UK state visit sparks protests, controversy, and a $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times.
- AI models compete in analyzing news, with Gemini excelling in drama, Grok in analysis, ChatGPT 5 in finance, and Copilot in breadth.
- The Israel-Gaza conflict intensifies, with airstrikes and diplomatic fallout, including Spain canceling arms deals.
- Robert Redford dies at 89, leaving behind a significant legacy in Hollywood.
- TikTok deal progresses amid US-China negotiations, addressing national security concerns.
- Neeraj Chopra defends his javelin title in Tokyo, highlighting sports rivalry.
- COVID-19 drops from the top 10 causes of death in the US, but heart issues and cancers surge.
- Sacramento County shooting and local community events like Shaq Thompson's flag football tournament gain attention.
Big Education Ape: NO KINGS II: TRUMP - THE KING WHO CRIED "FREE SPEECH" https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/no-kings-ii-trump-king-who-cried-free.html
Seattle Schools Community Forum discusses mismanagement of capital funds, highlighting Seattle's costly $297 million high school built on unsuitable land. The article critiques Trump's administration for undermining First Amendment freedoms during his 2025 presidency, including attacks on free speech, press, religion, petitioning, and peaceful assembly. Examples include lawsuits against media outlets, executive orders targeting activists, and suppression of protests. The grassroots "No Kings" movement is rallying nationwide to oppose authoritarianism and advocate for constitutional rights.
### Key Points
- Trump's 2025 presidency allegedly undermines First Amendment rights through executive orders, lawsuits, and censorship.
- Trump's administration targeted free speech, press, religious freedoms, and peaceful assembly, including actions against activists and media outlets.
- The "No Kings" movement mobilizes millions to protest Trump's authoritarian tendencies and defend constitutional freedoms.
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: SEPTEMBER 16TH SHOWDOWN BY OUR DISEMBODIED CORRESPONDENT https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/todays-great-ai-news-smackdown_16.html
The article discusses various headlines and news stories from September 16, 2025, including AI models competing to deliver accurate news, major global political events, celebrity deaths, domestic legal issues, and technological updates. It critiques how each AI model handled the news, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately concludes that Grok provided the most balanced and impactful summary.
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: SEPTEMBER 15TH SHOWDOWN BY OUR DISEMBODIED CORRESPONDENT https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/todays-great-ai-news-smackdown.html
Update On Our Next Book, “The Better Teacher’s Toolbox” - Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/
### Key Points
- Announcement of the upcoming book "The Better Teacher’s Toolbox," offering practical ideas for educators.
- Advice for new teachers navigating their first experiences in schools.
- Republished posts on effective slideshow topics and sentence frames for ELL newcomers.
- Free subscription offer from "The Atlantic" for U.S. high school students and staff.
- Google's "Learn Your Way" initiative to make textbooks more accessible using AI.
- Infographic showcasing global demographics as 1,000 people, available interactively.
- Charts highlighting challenges in ELL instruction, published by the Rand Corporation.
- Free curriculum resources for Students With Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE).
- Resources for teaching the Birmingham Church Bombing anniversary.
- Recommendation of "ZenMic" as an effective listening tool for English learners.
- Research on leaderboards supporting the use of Blooket as a favored learning game.
- Surveys emphasizing the importance of activating student prior knowledge.
- Overview of books offering research-based strategies for teaching Social Studies, English, Math, and Science, as well as motivating students.
- Resources for parental involvement and classroom management techniques.
- Blog, radio show, and posts providing additional teaching strategies and practices.
Hispanic Heritage Month: Don Trump is Tilting at Windmills (Really) – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/09/17/tilting-at-windmills-from-cervantes-to-trump/
### Key Points
- Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates contributions of the Spanish-speaking world, including Cervantes' "Don Quixote."
- "Tilting at windmills" symbolizes battling illusions, a theme mirrored in Trump's rhetoric against turbines.
- Trump portrays windmills as environmental and economic threats, echoing Quixotic absurdity.
- The obsession with imaginary foes distracts from addressing real societal challenges.
- The article critiques political strategies that create villains for public attention.
Teacher Tom: I Persist in the Radical Idea that Childhood is for Play https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/i-persist-in-radical-idea-that.html
Kids less likely to be expelled from preschool when parents cooperate with teacher - Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
glen brown: Trump's Administration Is Slashing Healthcare https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/09/trumps-administration-is-slashing.html
- The article critiques the Trump administration's healthcare policies, highlighting cuts to cancer research, vaccine programs, and public health infrastructure, driven by economic utility rather than necessity.
- It discusses the concept of necro-politics, where survival and healthcare access are determined by economic factors, exacerbating inequality and marginalizing vulnerable populations.
- The shift from public health to actuarial governance prioritizes short-term economic gains over long-term care, disproportionately affecting the elderly, poor, and marginalized communities.
- It calls for a reimagining of survival as a public good, emphasizing collective responsibility and rebuilding care infrastructure to protect lives rather than commodify them.
HHS SECRETARY RFK JR.: LAWYER, WITCH DOCTOR, OR NEW AGE SHAMAN? A DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS OF AMERICA’S MEDICAL IDENTITY CRISIS https://ru4people.substack.com/p/hhs-secretary-rfk-jr-lawyer-witch?sort=top
### Key Points
- Copilot emerged as the winner for its pragmatic and accurate coverage of Robert Redford's death, treating the story with appropriate weight.
- Gemini placed second for correctly reporting Redford's death but categorized it under "Other Top Stories," showing less emphasis on cultural significance.
- Grok and ChatGPT 5 failed to cover Redford's death, focusing instead on unrelated events like sports and economic data, missing major cultural moments.
- Gemini and ChatGPT 5 excelled in reporting on Trump's UK state visit and the Israel-Gaza conflict, providing nuanced details like UN reports on genocide.
- Copilot covered the Israel-Gaza conflict accurately but added local news, making its report feel disjointed.
- Grok focused on sensationalized aspects of the Israel-Gaza conflict, such as a news host's monologue, missing the broader geopolitical story.
- Gemini and Copilot reported the assassination of Charlie Kirk with factual accuracy, focusing on the suspect and legal proceedings.
- Grok mischaracterized Kirk’s assassination, framing it as a debate on social media algorithms rather than focusing on the crime itself.
- Copilot was praised for balancing global, national, and local news, despite its tendency to include community-level updates.
- Gemini was noted for its broader analysis of trends and ethics, earning a solid B+ for its performance.
- ChatGPT 5 missed key human-interest stories, focusing excessively on economic data and monetary policy updates.
- Grok was criticized for prioritizing sensationalism and less-verified stories, showing a lack of focus on factual reporting.
A Superintendent Speaks Out from the Front Lines of Our Public Schools https://brucelesley.substack.com/p/a-superintendent-speaks-out-from
### Key Points
- Dr. John Kuhn, a Texas superintendent and author, advocates for equity in education, emphasizing that achievement gaps stem from poverty and systemic neglect rather than poor teaching.
- He criticizes the focus on standardized testing and bureaucratic micromanagement, arguing that these approaches ignore the realities of unequal funding and social disparities among districts.
- Dr. Kuhn highlights legislative burdens, such as excessive regulations, "parental rights" bills, and voucher programs that divert resources from public schools to private institutions.
- He condemns the demonization of educators and the polarization in politics, which harms students and drives talented professionals out of education.
- Kuhn calls for increased funding, reduced testing burdens, higher teacher pay, and the rejection of voucher schemes to support public schools and ensure children's well-being.
- He urges the public to advocate for children by voting for pro-education policies and respecting educators as essential partners in raising the next generation.
Curmudgucation: AI, Facing the Dark, and Human Sparknotes | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/ai-facing-dark
- The article critiques the widespread use of AI in daily life, highlighting concerns about reliance on AI for tasks like therapy, brainstorming, and research, and its potential to replace human expertise.
- The author questions the ethical implications of using AI in creative fields, referencing authors like James Frey who use AI to mimic their writing styles without transparency.
- Concerns are raised about AI's role in writing and reading, emphasizing the importance of human expertise and firsthand experience in understanding and processing information.
- The article argues that relying on AI for intellectual tasks undermines the value of personal engagement, likening it to using shortcuts like Sparknotes, which bypass critical thinking and experiential learning.
Join us for the next California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) Tuesday at 2 Town Hall, scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 2 p.m. https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/nsdtownhall09232025.asp
### Key Points
- The "Tuesday at 2 School Nutrition Town Hall" webinar will cover policies, funding, training, and best practices for Child Nutrition Programs.
- Draft slides for the webinar are available on the CNIPS web page and updated post-event.
- Registration for the free webinar includes confirmation emails and Zoom troubleshooting tips.
- Professional standards training focuses on program management and staff scheduling.
- Accessibility accommodations and live captioning are provided for attendees with disabilities.
- The Conscious Kitchen Team encourages organic purchasing and peer collaboration.
- Resources shared include SNP reimbursement rates, competitive food bulletins, and SUN Bucks verification guidance.
- Upcoming events include California Crunch Day, National School Lunch Week, and the Farm to Cafeteria Conference.
- Contact information for various nutrition-related queries is provided.
- Additional resources include program training manuals, award programs, and advisory council updates.
Choosing Democracy: New Poll. Americans Prefer Democratic Socialism https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2025/09/new-poll-americans-prefer-democratic.html
- A national poll conducted by Jacobin, DSA Fund, and Data for Progress shows widespread support for democratic socialist leaders and policies, indicating that democratic socialism is now considered mainstream.
- Democrats favor democratic socialism over capitalism by a 58-point margin, and voters under 45 generally support socialism. Democratic socialist figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are more popular than establishment politicians among Democrats and key voting blocs.
- The poll reveals bipartisan support for egalitarian policies: 70% believe the economic system favors corporations and the wealthy, 59% blame landlords and banks for high housing costs, and 83% agree on including mental health and social work in public safety budgets.
- Even among Republicans, 58% agree with critiques of the economic system, and 15% of Trump voters prefer democratic socialism, particularly younger and non-white individuals.
- The label "democratic socialism" is increasingly associated with economic fairness and security, reminiscent of New Deal policies.
- The poll was conducted from August 22–24, 2025, surveying 1,257 likely voters nationwide.
The New Pirates of the Caribbean. UN human rights experts have condemned recent U.S. military strikes on Venezuelan vessels, calling them “extrajudicial executions” and a violation of international law. https://michaelklonsky.substack.com/p/the-new-pirates-of-the-caribbean
- UN human rights experts condemned U.S. military strikes on Venezuelan vessels, labeling them "extrajudicial executions" and violations of international law.
- The U.S. claims the strikes were part of anti-drug operations targeting "narcoterrorists," but critics argue they are a guise for regime-change efforts against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested readiness for broader operations, including potentially removing Maduro from power.
- Critics question why suspected drug-trafficking boats were not tracked and interdicted at port, suggesting the operations were more about eliminating individuals than dismantling networks.
- Trump falsely claimed maritime traffic in the Caribbean is disappearing, while critics highlight the region's active fishing and shipping industries.
- Venezuela responded by initiating military exercises on its Caribbean island of La Orchila amid escalating tensions with U.S. forces.
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Meeting, September 17, 2025 https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2025/09/seattle-school-board-meeting-september.html?spref=tw
### Key Points
- Seattle School Board meeting on September 17, 2025, discussed the superintendent search, student engagement, and high school lunchtime changes. Concerns were raised about timing, safety, and clarity of decisions.
- Superintendent Fred Podesta highlighted new buildings and strategic planning updates, emphasizing the need for student feedback and collaboration with ASB officers.
- Issues surrounding lunch schedules included safety concerns, instructional hours, and club time. Directors criticized the rushed implementation and lack of student engagement in decision-making.
- Public testimony covered topics like school lunch times, Indian education, and safety, with 25 speakers and 39 on the waitlist.
- Historical posts revealed concerns about nepotism within Seattle Schools and advanced learning services, showing ongoing systemic issues.
Ohio Charter Schools Keep Failing to Graduate Students Ohio Charter Schools graduate students at a rate that's lower than all but 1 Ohio Public School District, likely costing our kids billions of dollars in lost potential income since their inception. https://10thperiod.substack.com/p/ohio-charter-schools-keep-failing
Ohio Charter Schools graduate students at alarmingly low rates compared to public schools, leading to significant economic and social consequences. Despite having fewer economically disadvantaged students than many public districts, their graduation rates remain poor, costing students potential lifetime income and communities broader benefits.
### Key Points
- Ohio Charter Schools graduate students at a rate of 69.4%, lower than all but one public school district in Ohio.
- Many public school districts with higher rates of poverty outperform Charter Schools in graduation rates, achieving 92.4% compared to Charter Schools' 76%.
- Poor graduation rates in Charter Schools result in substantial lost income for students, with the class of 2025 alone losing $333.6 million in potential earnings.
- Since their inception in 1998, Ohio Charter Schools have caused billions of dollars in lost potential income, compounded by high administrative spending and negative social impacts.
First Amendment Knowledge Rises—But the Press Is Still Under Siege https://bloom2.substack.com/p/first-amendment-knowledge-risesbut
- A survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center in 2025 shows modest improvement in Americans' knowledge of First Amendment rights, but significant gaps remain.
- Freedom of speech was identified by 79% of respondents, an increase from 73% in 2020, possibly influenced by Elon Musk’s advocacy for free speech on X.
- Recognition of freedom of religion rose to 48%, showing a slight improvement over previous years, highlighting the need for ongoing civic education.
- Awareness of the right to assemble increased to 36%, while recognition of the right to petition fell to 12%, indicating fluctuating understanding of these rights.
- Only 34% of Americans identified freedom of the press as a First Amendment right, a decline from 2020, raising concerns about the state of press freedom.
- The article criticizes the Trump administration's hostility toward the press, citing attacks that undermine trust in journalism and weaken its role as a democratic watchdog.
- Press freedom is essential to democracy, as it exposes abuses of power and prevents authoritarian control, but it is currently under significant threat.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
The article is a compilation of various blog posts, news stories, and analyses from September 2025, covering topics such as political violence, education challenges, AI technology, systemic inequalities, and societal controversies. It explores the intersection of technology, policy, advocacy, and societal trends shaping public education and broader global issues.
### Key Points
- Richard Rothstein critiques the notion that teacher expectations alone drive student achievement, emphasizing the role of socioeconomic challenges like housing segregation and poverty.
- Two federal judges blocked a Trump administration rule barring undocumented children from Head Start programs, citing procedural violations and harm to families.
- Voucher programs in Texas threaten rural schools by diverting public funds to private education, exacerbating financial struggles and sustainability issues.
- Trump’s presidency in 2025 undermined First Amendment freedoms through lawsuits, censorship, and suppression of protests, prompting grassroots movements like "No Kings."
- AI models competed in summarizing news, with Grok providing the most balanced coverage of global and domestic issues, including political violence and AI ethics.
- The Trump administration cut funding for Minority-Serving Institutions and pressured states to end aid for undocumented college students, sparking legal challenges and criticism.
- NYC’s class size reduction plan faces challenges like overcrowding, teacher shortages, and insufficient funding, prompting advocacy efforts for compliance.
- The school choice movement has shifted to ideological control, promoting white Christian nationalist values over diverse educational options.
- A satirical article proposes financial penalties and buyback programs to address gun violence and reduce firearm circulation.
- Seattle Public Schools face criticism for mismanagement of capital funds, including a costly high school built on unsuitable land.
- Parents of children with health conditions express concerns about their ability to support their child in school, highlighting the need for mental health resources and collaboration.
- Advocacy movements like Black Lives Matter at School and Sandy Hook Promise promote equity and school safety, addressing systemic issues in education.
