WHY ARE BILLIONAIRES SO HOT TO DESTROY PUBLIC EDUCATION

 

WHY ARE BILLIONAIRES SO HOT TO DESTROY PUBLIC EDUCATION

First of all, let's address the elephant in the room. Why are tech billionaires so eager to privatize public education? It's simple, my friends. They want to get their products into schools. But here's the catch - it's going to cost just as much to replace teachers with technology. So why go through all the trouble? The answer is simple: profit.

The strategy has been to bash teachers and their unions, claiming that public education is failing. They defund public schools slowly, causing their propaganda to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. The problem the tech billionaires had to overcome was that people love public schools and teachers. Hence the bashing. But the biggest obstacle was funding. As we all know, tech is damn expensive. We also know that almost 90% of the cost in schools is for people. So the billionaires started reducing funding to make the schools fulfill the prophecy. All the money that has been directed to voucher, charter schools, religious schools, and other private schools further drains more funds from the public system. This hasn't cost the billionaires much by their terms - they are investing in their future profits, only spending on propaganda and marketing. 

But where will the money come from to get rid of teachers? According to Adroit Market Research, the global market size of K-12 education technology was valued at $76.4 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $322.68 billion by 2029. This includes spending on hardware, software, infrastructure, professional development, and technical support. So it's obvious that the strategy has been to destroy public education and replace it with profitable software bots and equipment. The only choice is to allocate a hell of a lot more money or get rid of public education altogether and use the funds to pay for technology and profit.

According to a report by the U.S. Department of Education, between 1995 and 2019, the federal government spent a total of $247 billion on K-12 education technology. This includes funding for hardware, software, and professional development.

Technology can be used to automate tasks that were previously done by humans. For example, robots can be used to assemble products, and software can be used to grade papers. This can free up human workers to focus on more complex tasks like looking for a new job.

Technology can also be used to create new products and services that require fewer workers to produce. For example, online retailers can sell products without the need for a physical store, and online learning platforms can deliver educational content without the need for a classroom teacher. This can lead to a reduction in the demand for labor in some sectors of the economy.

However, there are also some challenges associated with the use of technology in the classroom. For example, not all teachers are comfortable using technology, and not all students have access to the same level of technology at home.

Overall, the use of technology in K-12 education is still evolving. However, it is clear that technology has the potential to significantly improve the quality of education or just destroy it altogether.

But let's not forget about the cost. There are a number of factors that would affect the cost of providing a state-of-the-art technological education system for every child in the United States for one year. These factors include:

• - The number of students: There are approximately 50 million students enrolled in K-12 schools in the United States.
• - The cost of hardware: The cost of hardware would vary depending on the type of hardware that is purchased.
• - The cost of software: The cost of software would also vary depending on the type of software that is purchased.
• - The cost of professional development: The cost of professional development would be needed to train teachers on how to use the technology effectively.

Based on these factors, a conservative estimate of the cost of providing a state-of-the-art technological education system for every child in the United States for one year would be $100 billion. This estimate assumes that each student would be provided with a laptop computer, a tablet, and access to a comprehensive science curriculum. It also assumes that all teachers would be required to participate in professional development on how to use the technology effectively.

So there you have it folks - the truth about K12 technology education in public schools. It's expensive, it's evolving, and it's causing billionaires to salivate at the thought of profit. But let's not forget about our beloved teachers and public schools. They may not be perfect, but they're worth fighting for. And who knows? Maybe one day we'll find a way to integrate technology into our schools without sacrificing quality education or our hard-working teachers.

Until then, let's keep laughing and learning together.

TIME TO BUY NEW COMPUTERS

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

THE GRIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Chromebooks' built-in 'death dates' render many older models useless

https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/07/24/built-in-software-death-dates-are-sending-thousands-of-schools-chromebooks-to-the-recycling-bin/ 

Chromebooks' built-in 'death dates'

Chromebooks are inexpensive laptops that run on Google's Chrome OS, a web-based operating system that relies on cloud services and applications. They are popular among schools and students because of their affordability, portability and ease of use. However, they also have a major drawback: they have an expiration date on which Google stops supporting the device with software updates¹.

Why do Chromebooks have an expiration date?

Google says that the expiration date, also known as the Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date, is necessary because older devices often cannot support the latest software updates, which include security patches, bug fixes and new features¹. Google also says that the updates depend on many device-specific hardware and software providers that work with Google to provide the highest level of security and stability support³.

How to find the expiration date of a Chromebook?

To find a Chromebook's end of life date, you can follow these steps¹:

• - At the bottom right of your screen, click on the time.
• - Select Settings.
• - On the left panel, at the bottom, select About Chrome OS.
• - Select Additional details.

You can also check the expiration date of any Chromebook model on this website: https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366

What happens when a Chromebook expires?

When a Chromebook reaches its expiration date, it will no longer receive software updates from Google. This means that the device may become less secure, less stable and less compatible with newer websites and applications. Some features and functions may stop working altogether. For example, some users have reported that they cannot access Google Drive or Gmail on their expired Chromebooks³.

Google says that expired Chromebooks can still be used, but they will not provide any technical support or assistance for them. They also recommend that users back up their data and consider upgrading to a newer device¹.

What are the impacts of Chromebooks' expiration dates?

Chromebooks' expiration dates have been criticized by some consumer advocates, environmentalists and educators for creating unnecessary waste, cost and inconvenience. According to a report by the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG), doubling the lifespan of older Chromebooks would save California’s schools $225 million and prevent 350,000 pounds of e-waste².

The report also argues that there are three main reasons why even the best Chromebooks are becoming unusable for schools⁵:

Some school districts have resorted to recycling or donating their expired Chromebooks, while others have tried to extend their usability by installing alternative operating systems or applications. However, these solutions are not always feasible, effective or legal³.

What are some possible solutions or alternatives?

Some possible solutions or alternatives to address the issue of Chromebooks' expiration dates are:

• - Google could extend the software support for older devices or provide more flexibility and transparency for users to choose when and how to update their devices.
• - Manufacturers could design more durable, repairable and upgradable devices and provide spare parts and repair services for them.
• - Schools could adopt more sustainable procurement policies and practices, such as buying devices with longer lifespans, leasing instead of buying devices or using open source software and hardware.
• - Users could demand more rights and options to repair and reuse their devices, such as through legislation or advocacy.

 Bing, 7/24/2023

(1) Chromebooks Have an Expiration Date: Here's How to Find Yours | Laptop Mag. https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/chromebook-6-years-expiration.

(2) Chromebooks' built-in 'death dates' render many older models useless. https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/07/24/built-in-software-death-dates-are-sending-thousands-of-schools-chromebooks-to-the-recycling-bin/.

(3) Built-in software ‘death dates’ are sending thousands of schools’ Chromebooks to the recycling bin. https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2023/07/24/built-in-software-death-dates-are-sending-thousands-of-schools-chromebooks-to-the-recycling-bin/.

(4) Google accused of sabotaging Chromebooks by cutting updates. https://www.techradar.com/news/google-accused-of-sabotaging-chromebooks-by-cutting-updates.

(5) Built-in software ‘death dates’ are sending thousands of schools .... https://headtopics.com/us/built-in-software-death-dates-are-sending-thousands-of-schools-chromebooks-to-the-recycling-bin-41479639.

"WE'RE HUGE IN LEARNING LOSS!" CASHING IN ON THE POST PANDEMIC EDUCATION CRISIS - PROPUBLICA

 

“We’re Huge in Learning Loss!” Cashing in on the Post-Pandemic Education Crisis.

by Alec MacGillis

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.

For the nation’s schoolchildren, the data on pandemic learning loss is relentlessly bleak, with education researchers and economists warning that, unless dramatic action is taken, students will suffer a lifelong drop in income as a result of lagging achievement. “This cohort of students is going to be punished throughout their lifetime,” noted Eric Hanushek, the Stanford economist who did the income study, in ProPublica’s recent examination of the struggle to make up for what students missed out on during the era of remote learning.

For the burgeoning education technology sector, however, the crisis has proven a glimmering business opportunity, as a visit to the industry’s annual convention revealed. The federal government has committed $190 billion in pandemic recovery funds to school districts since 2020, and education technology sales people have been eagerly making the case that their products are just what students and teachers need to make up lost ground.

“We’re huge in learning loss,” said Dan DiDesiderio, a Pittsburgh-area account manager for Renaissance Learning, a top seller of educational software and assessments. He was talking up his company’s offerings in the giant exposition hall of the Philadelphia Convention Center, where dozens of other vendors and thousands of educators gathered for three days late last month at the confab of the International Society for Technology in Education. For DiDesiderio, who was a school administrator before joining Renaissance, this meant explaining how schools have been relying on Renaissance products to help students get back on track. “During COVID, we did see an increase across the board,” he said.

Renaissance is far from the only player in the ed tech industry that is benefiting from the surge in federal funding, and the industry enjoyed a huge wave of private funding as the federal tap opened: The annual total of venture capital investments in ed tech companies rose from $5.4 billion to $16.8 billion between 2019 and 2021 before tailing off.

The largest chunk of the federal largess, $122 billion that was included in the American Rescue Plan signed by President Joe Biden in March 2021, requires that schools put at least 20% toward battling learning loss, and companies are making the case that schools should spend the money on their products, in addition to intensive tutoring, extended-day programs and other remedies. “The pandemic has created a once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunity for early stage companies to reach an eager customer base,” declared Anne Lee Skates, a partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, in a recent article. (Her firm has invested in ed tech companies.) The federal funds “are the largest one-time infusion of funds in education from the federal government with almost no strings attached.”

Five days before the convention, the National Center for Education Statistics had released the latest devastating numbers: The decline in math scores for 13-year-olds between the 2019-20 and 2022-23 school years was the largest on record, and for the lowest-performing students, reading scores were lower than they were the first time data was collected in 1971.

But the mood was festive in Philadelphia. The educators in attendance, whose conference costs are generally covered by their district’s professional development funds, were excited to try out the new wave of nifty gadgets made possible by the advances in artificial intelligence and virtual reality. “For a lot of us, it’s like coming to Disneyland,” said one teacher from Alabama.

One could also detect the slightly urgent giddiness of a big bash in its final stages. Schools need to spend most of their recovery funds by 2024, and many have already allocated much of that money, meaning that this golden opportunity would soon close. And summer is the main buying season, with the fiscal year starting July 1 and with educators wanting their new tools delivered in time for school to start in the fall.

Hanging over the proceedings was an undeniable irony: The extent of learning loss was closely correlated to the amount of time that students had spent doing remote learning, on a screen, rather than receiving direct instruction, and here companies were offering more screen-based instruction as the remedy. Few of the companies on hand were proposing to replace the classroom experience entirely with virtual instruction, but to the degree that their offerings recalled the year-plus of Zoom school, it could be a bit awkward. “A lot of people don’t like us, because we can do remote-school stuff,” said Michael Linacre, a salesperson for StarBoard Solution, before demonstrating one of the cool things a StarBoard whiteboard could do: He jotted 1+2= with his finger and up popped 3. “There’s a mixed feeling about that now.”

Most of the vendors were not about to let that awkwardness get in their way, though, as they cajoled teachers to listen to their pitch, often with the lure of free swag.

“I love the shirt — I’m a huge ’N Sync fan,” said a library technology specialist from a New Jersey elementary school at the booth for BrainPOP, a group of educational animation websites whose display included a T-shirt that nodded to the 1990s boy band. The vendor praised the teacher for getting the reference — the union guys setting up the expo had totally missed it, he said — and told her that all one had to do to get one of the shirts was attend one of several pitch sessions during the day. “Students who use BrainPOP two or more times a month show measurable gains toward grade-level proficiency,” asserted a large poster listing the various sessions.

Nearby, a Microsoft salesperson named Mike had a full audience sitting on white settees arrayed in his zone as he launched into his demonstration of the company’s new AI tools for helping kids learn to read aloud. He showed how a program called Reading Coach captured video of a student reading a passage aloud and flagged mispronunciations, with an automated voice declaring, “These words were the most challenging for you.” There were even more features in the offing, Mike said; the program would soon produce comprehension questions to ask about whatever passage the teacher gave the students to read, and it would soon be able to gauge students’ level of expressiveness, too.

One might wonder what all this would leave to the actual teacher, but Mike assured the audience that Reading Coach would simply allow educators to focus on other tasks. “It’s a time saver,” he said.

In fact, education technology is replacing teachers in another sense: A large share of the vendors on hand were themselves former educators who had left the classroom for jobs with tech companies, where they could still feel like they were involved in education, but without the stresses of the classroom and often with higher pay. One former first grade teacher who had made this transition herself two years ago said she had seen the trend accelerate among her colleagues during the pandemic, when the challenges of juggling hybrid online and in-person instruction and managing students who were struggling with learning loss and delayed socialization had made jobs in ed tech seem especially alluring.

Remote learning “flipped the field on its head,” she said. “We were getting a lot more responsibilities than before, a lot more hours, a lot more stress.” At the first of the two ed tech companies she has worked for, she said, “almost everyone was an ex-teacher hired the past couple years. Ed tech is a good space for teachers to go to: It’s a corporate job, but they respect the skills that teachers have.”

Knowing that the ed tech sector was not only seeking a large share of federal recovery funds for schools but also playing a role in the teacher shortage gave the proceedings an extra edge. The profusion of inventively named vendors was overwhelming: Beanstack, Impero, Bluum, Archangel, Teq, Ozobot, Nuiteq, Vivacity, Figma. Kami and Hāpara sounded more like Ikea furniture, but no, they were here, too.

Among the rookie attendees wandering the hall was Joseph Tey, a Stanford computer science major. He was there with a classmate to ask teachers how they felt about the rise of AI. Were they worried about students cheating? Were they going to incorporate AI into their instruction? “Tech adoption in education is tough,” Tey said. “Do you adopt something only when the fire is under your ass? COVID was one fire. This is another fire.”

The COVID-19 fire had been great for one vendor, Wakelet, a website that allows users to pull together videos, images and text files into a single webpage, for use by individuals who want to to promote a resume or body of work or by teachers seeking to present information on a given subject. Its use by teachers had boomed during remote learning, said co-founder Rick Butterworth. “The pandemic was really a benefit for us because we had so many users who came on board,” he said. “2020 was an interesting year for us.” The site has been free to use, with the company funded for several years by angel investors, he said, but it was now about to start offering tiered paid plans for schools, ranging up to $6,000 per year. Among the features available to paying customers: “bespoke professional development.”

Across the aisle, a vendor named Whitney, a former elementary school librarian, was corralling passersby for her next pitch session for MackinMaker. “Have a seat! We’re about to have a demo. It’s really fun. Just fill out the card for the giveaway.” The giveaways were T-shirts that were waiting on each chair.

“It’s all about the giveaway,” said one teacher, with gentle sarcasm, as she took her seat.

Whitney gave her pitch for MackinMaker’s online e-book marketplace. After she was done, her colleague Ethan told the teachers, “If you need a different size T-shirt, let us know.”

Luring teachers into pitches was easiest at the various sellers of virtual reality headsets, some of which had long lines of educators waiting their turn. I tried a headset from ClassVR that was playing virtual reality programs from Eduverse. The first scene was a pastoral landscape of fields and stone walls whose context was unclear until the vendor explained that it was a scene from the Civil War. She clicked over to another of Eduverse’s 500-odd options, this one featuring men building railroads in the 19th century, where I accidentally got myself hit in the head, virtually, by a sledgehammer.

Schools could buy eight of the headsets for $4,299, or 30 for $16,999, the vendor said. Sales in recent years had been “amazing, in terms of rapid growth.”

The afternoon of the convention’s opening day was wearing on, and the conference tote bags were already getting overstuffed with all the free swag. Conveniently, Kahoot (an Oslo-based operation with the slogan “Make learning awesome”) was giving out tote bags as prizes for those who won in demonstrations of its AI-generated quiz games. I participated in a game with questions about the Fourth of July and was frustrated to accidentally input the wrong answer on my smartphone in response to a question about the size of the U.S. population in 1776. (The correct answer was 2.5 million.)

The Kahoot vendor handed out the three tote bags to the victorious educators, who would have two more days of conventioneering to fill them up. “Did you learn something about Independence Day?” she said.

A few weeks later came a reminder that the stakes for the ed tech sector went far beyond tote bags and T-shirts: Kahoot announced that a group led by Goldman Sachs’ private equity division was buying it for $1.7 billion.

Education Tech Companies Cash in on Post-Pandemic Crisis — ProPublica https://www.propublica.org/article/education-technology-covid-pandemic-crisis-schools

TENN. TIGHT*SS PRINCIPAL CONFESSES TO BEING TOO THIN-SKINNED FOR MEMES

 

TENN. TIGHT*SS PRINCIPAL CONFESSES TO BEING TOO THIN-SKINNED FOR MEMES

In a world where memes reign supreme, one high school principal just couldn't take a joke. Tullahoma High School's very own Jason Quick was the target of some playful ribbing from a student who goes only by the initials "I.P." on Instagram. But instead of laughing it off, Principal Quick decided to flex his disciplinary muscles and suspend the 17-year-old rising senior for posting memes that poked fun at his tight*ss ways.

Now, I don't know about you, but when I was in high school, we didn't have Instagram. We had to pass notes in class and hope they didn't get intercepted by the teacher. But these days, kids have a whole new playground to express themselves on social media. And it seems like Principal Quick just can't handle the heat.

According to reports, I.P. posted three memes on their personal Instagram account that portrayed Principal Quick in various humorous scenarios. And while I haven't seen the memes myself, I can only imagine they were hilarious. But apparently, Principal Quick didn't find them so funny. He decided to suspend I.P. for "violating student free speech rights."

Now, I'm no lawyer, but I'm pretty sure that's not how the First Amendment works. Last time I checked, students still had the right to express themselves, even if it's outside of school hours. But apparently, Principal Quick didn't get the memo. And now, he's facing a lawsuit from I.P.'s lawyers who argue that the suspension is unconstitutional.

But let's be real here. This isn't just about free speech. This is about a thin-skinned principal who can't take a joke. I mean, come on. If you're in a position of authority, you're going to get made fun of. It's just part of the job. But instead of laughing it off and moving on, Principal Quick decided to make an example out of I.P. And that's sending a dangerous lesson to kids.

If we start punishing students for expressing themselves in harmless ways, what kind of message are we sending? That it's not okay to be creative? That it's not okay to have a sense of humor? That it's not okay to be yourself? That's not the kind of world I want to live in.

So here's my message to Principal Quick: lighten up, dude. Life is too short to take yourself so seriously. If a high school student making memes about you is the worst thing that happens to you today, consider yourself lucky. And if you can't handle a little bit of teasing, maybe you're in the wrong profession.

As for I.P., keep doing your thing. Keep expressing yourself and making people laugh. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't be creative or that you don't have a voice. Because at the end of the day, that's what this is all about: giving kids the freedom to be themselves and express themselves in whatever way they see fit.

So let's all raise a glass to I.P., the meme master of Tullahoma High School. May your creativity never be stifled and your sense of humor never be silenced. And may Principal Quick learn to take a joke before he becomes the laughingstock of the internet.

School district suspends student for posting memes of principal, sends ‘dangerous lesson to kids,’ lawyers say | Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/media/school-district-suspends-student-posting-memes-principal-sends-dangerous-lesson-kids-lawyers-say 

Tennessee student sues after he was suspended for posting memes poking fun at his principal on Instagram | Daily Mail Online https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12327547/Tennessee-student-sues-school-district-suspended-posting-memes-poking-fun-skinned-principal-Instagram.html 

OHIO GOP WAS STOPPED FOR NOW BUT SAY GOODBYE TO PUBLIC EDUCATION

 

OHIO GOP WAS STOPPED FOR NOW BUT SAY GOODBYE TO PUBLIC EDUCATION

In a shocking turn of events, it has been revealed that Ohio Senate Republicans were working tirelessly to dismantle public education in favor of private, religious schools. Their plan was to completely devastate public education in America, leaving only the wealthy and privileged with access to quality schooling.

But fear not, dear readers, for we have defeated them — at least for now. SB 83, part of a larger right-wing goal seeking to muzzle any and all education about structural oppression, has been stopped dead in its tracks.

It's no secret that conservatives love to talk about "school choice." But what they really want is the end of public education for the poor and disfavored minorities like LGBT people. It's a classic case of "the haves" vs. "the have-nots."

But let's take a moment to appreciate the sheer audacity of their plan. Destroying public education? That's like burning down your own house because you don't like the wallpaper. It's like cutting off your nose to spite your face. It's like...well, you get the picture.

And let's not forget the irony of their plan. Republicans, who claim to be all about small government and individual freedom, were trying to force their own agenda on the American people. It's almost as if they don't understand the meaning of the word "freedom."

But we won't let them get away with it. We'll fight tooth and nail to protect public education, because we know that education is the key to a better future. And besides, who wants to live in a world where only the rich get to learn how to read?

So here's to defeating the GOP's plan to destroy public education in Ohio. Let's keep fighting the good fight, because when it comes to education, we're all in this together.

GOP Planned to Destroy Public Education in Ohio. We Defeated Them — for Now. | Truthout https://truthout.org/articles/gop-planned-to-destroy-public-education-in-ohio-we-defeated-them-for-now/ 

Ohio Senate Republicans working to dismantle public education in favor of private, religious schools - Ohio Capital Journal https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/06/13/ohio-senate-republicans-working-to-dismantle-public-education-in-favor-of-private-religious-schools/ 

Analysis: Ohio GOP launches a power grab over public education. They're likely to succeed | WVXU https://www.wvxu.org/politics/2022-11-18/analysis-ohio-gop-legislature-power-grab-control-public-education 

The Republican Plan To Devastate Public Education in America | The New Republic https://newrepublic.com/article/167375/republican-plan-devastate-public-education-america 

ELON MUSK SAYS THE BIRD IS DEAD BE AN XSSHOLE

ELON MUSK SAYS THE BIRD IS DEAD BE AN XSSHOLE

ELON UNVEILS NEW LOGO SAYS MORE

ACCURATELY REPRESENTS HIM

In a move that has left the internet scratching its head, Elon Musk has announced that he plans to change the logo of Twitter to an "X" from the famous blue bird. The billionaire owner of the social media platform claims that the new logo will better represent him and his vision for Twitter.

According to Musk, the new logo, which he has affectionately dubbed "Xasshole" (or just "X" for short), will feature a big butt with an X on it. Musk claims that the new logo will symbolize his belief that Twitter has lost the "thread" so to speak, and that it needs to refocus on what really matters: butts.

"We've been focused on birds for too long," Musk said in a recent interview. "Birds are boring. Butts are where it's at. And let's face it, I've got a pretty big one myself."

The announcement has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, with many questioning Musk's sanity and his ability to lead a major social media platform. But Musk remains undeterred, insisting that the new logo will be a huge success.

"If a good enough logo is posted tonight, we'll make it go live worldwide tomorrow," Musk said. "And believe me, we've got some great designs already. One of them even features my face on the butt. It's hilarious."

The move comes as Twitter faces increased pressure from social media rival Meta, which recently announced its own rebranding efforts. But Musk remains confident that his new logo will set Twitter apart from the competition.

"Meta may have changed its name, but they can't compete with our butts," Musk said. "We've got the best butts in the business. And now we've got the logo to prove it."

Despite the initial backlash, some Twitter users have expressed support for Musk's new logo, with many praising its simplicity and humor.

"I love it," one user tweeted. "Finally, a social media platform that doesn't take itself too seriously."

Only time will tell whether Musk's new logo will be a hit or a miss. But one thing is for sure: with Musk at the helm, Twitter is sure to be anything but boring.

Twitter: Elon Musk says he wants to change company’s bird logo Social media billionaire says if a good enough logo is ‘posted tonight, we’ll make (it) go live worldwide tomorrow’ https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jul/23/twitter-elon-musk-says-he-wants-to-change-companys-bird-logo 

Musk says Twitter to change logo to "X" from the bird. Changes could come as early as Monday. - ABC News https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/musk-twitter-change-logo-bird-early-monday-101586809 

Elon Musk says he plans to drop Twitter’s bird logo | Financial Times https://www.ft.com/content/a4330d6b-03cd-41a2-a391-a08d3580b3d1 

MEATAXE MIKE MILES STRIKES AGAIN: CUTS MORE THAN 2300 JOBS - OVER 20% OFSTAFF

 

MEATAXE MIKE MILES STRIKES AGAIN

CUTS MORE THAN 2300 JOBS - OVER 20% OF STAFF

Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your hats and grab a pint of ice cream because we have some news that will make you want to scream. HISD Superintendent Meataxe Mike Miles is back at it again with his meataxe, and this time he's not holding back.

During a virtual forum on Thursday, Miles announced that he will be cutting 2,347 jobs from the district's staff. That's right, you heard it correctly, over 20% of the staff will be getting the boot. So much for job security, am I right?

Now, we don't want to jump to conclusions, but we can't help but wonder if Miles has been binge-watching Game of Thrones lately. I mean, he's practically acting like the Night King with his ruthless decisions and icy demeanor. Maybe he's trying to claim the Iron Throne of HISD?

But let's not forget, this is not the first time Miles has gone on a firing spree. In fact, he's practically a pro at it by now. He's like the Michael Jordan of layoffs, always aiming for the highest score.

We can only imagine the chaos that will ensue with this latest round of cuts. Who will take over all the jobs that are being eliminated? Will there be a Hunger Games-style competition to determine who gets to keep their job? Or will everyone just be left to fend for themselves in the wild, wild world of unemployment?

And let's not forget about the students. How will these cuts affect their education? Will they be forced to teach themselves with a stack of textbooks and a pat on the back? Or will they have to resort to using smoke signals to communicate with their teachers?

But in all seriousness, we understand that these cuts are not a laughing matter. People's livelihoods are at stake here, and it's important to remember that behind every job title is a person with a family and bills to pay.

So, Mr. Miles, we implore you to reconsider your decision and find a better solution that doesn't involve chopping off a fifth of your staff. And if you need some inspiration, we suggest watching The Office and taking notes from Michael Scott's management style. Because let's face it, if there's anyone who knows how to run a successful workplace, it's definitely him.

Houston Independent School District to cut more than 2300 staff positions amid plummeting student enrollment | Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/media/houston-independent-school-district-to-cut-more-than-2300-staff-positions-amid-plummeting-student-enrollment 

Houston ISD eliminates thousands of jobs - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXrZvcJhJVQ 

Big Education Ape: MEATAXE MIKE MILES FIRST PLAY RIGHT OUT THE THE BILLIONAIRES PLAYBOOK http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/meataxe-mike-miles-first-play-right-out.html

Big Education Ape: MEATAXE MIKE MILES CONTINUES TO SLICE AND DICE HISD https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/meataxe-mike-miles-continues-to-slice.html 

Big Education Ape: MEATAXE MIKE MILES STRIKES AGAIN WITH ANOTHER PLAY OUT OF THE OLD BILLIONAIRES PRIVATIZATION HANDBOOK http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/meataxe-mike-miles-strikes-again-with.html 

FLORIDA GOV. DUHSANTIS DEFENDS FLORIDA'S VERSION OF SLAVERY: IT WAS FUN

 

FLORIDA GOV. DUHSANTIS DEFENDS

FLORIDA'S VERSION OF SLAVERY: IT WAS FUN

Florida Governor Ron DuhSantis, the MAGA candidate for dictator or president, has done it again! In his latest move, he has announced that his Department of Miseducation will be teaching students that slavery actually benefited Black people. Yes, you heard that right. Slavery, the brutal and inhumane practice of owning human beings, was apparently a good thing for Black people. 

I mean, who needs facts and actual history when you have a wacky governor like DuhSantis? Painting a fairy tale version of America for students in public schools is not an act of patriotism, it's an act of child abuse. It's like telling kids that Santa Claus is real and then crushing their dreams when they find out he's not. Except in this case, it's even worse because it's perpetuating a harmful and false narrative that undermines the struggles and achievements of Black people throughout history. 

But don't worry, DuhSantis isn't alone in his delusional thinking. Vice President Kamala Harris had the audacity to criticize these controversial Black history standards, and DuhSantis called her criticism "absolutely ridiculous." Yes, because clearly the person who is actually Black and has experienced racism firsthand is less qualified to comment on Black history than a white governor who thinks slavery was a good thing. 

It's almost comical how out of touch DuhSantis is with reality. It's like he's living in an alternate universe where up is down and wrong is right. Maybe he should take a break from his MAGA rallies and actually read a history book or two. Or better yet, maybe he should just resign and let someone who actually cares about educating our children take over. 

But until that happens, we're stuck with a governor who thinks teaching kids that slavery was a good thing is a great idea. And who knows what other ridiculous ideas he'll come up with next? Maybe he'll suggest that the earth is flat or that vaccines cause autism. The possibilities are endless with DuhSantis at the helm. 

In conclusion, let's all take a moment to appreciate the absurdity of Ron DuhSantis and his Department of Miseducation. It's like a bad joke come to life, except it's not funny because it's actually affecting the education of our children. So let's all do our part to combat this nonsense by educating ourselves and speaking out against it whenever possible. And maybe, just maybe, we can prevent future generations from being miseducated by the likes of Ron DuhSantis.

Florida teaching students that slavery benefited Black people is another effort to cover up racism - TheGrio https://thegrio.com/2023/07/21/florida-teaching-students-that-slavery-benefited-black-people-is-another-effort-to-cover-up-racism/

Big Education Ape: FLORIDA GOV. DUHSANTIS ANNOUNCED THAT HIS DEPARTMENT OF MISEDUCATION HAS ADOPTED NEW BLACK PEOPLE STANDARDS http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/florida-gov-duhsantis-announced-that.html 

The gut-wrenching history of black babies and alligators https://andscape.com/features/the-gut-wrenching-history-of-black-babies-and-alligators/

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fires back at Kamala Harris over Black history standards https://www.axios.com/2023/07/22/florida-utah-ron-desantis-kamala-harris-black-history 

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-22-23 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #SAGAFTRAstrike

 
TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-22-23

Big Education Ape: WONDER WOMAN FRAN DRESCHER - SAG-AFTRA WGA STRIKE #SAGAFTRAstrike #SAGAFTRA https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/wonder-woman-fran-drescher-sag-aftra.html 

Big Education Ape: TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-15-23 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/top-banana-top-reads-this-week-7-15-23.html 

Big Education Ape: MEATAXE MIKE MILES CONTINUES TO SLICE AND DICE HISD https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/meataxe-mike-miles-continues-to-slice.html 

Big Education Ape: 'MAGA JOE' MANCHIN SET TO PISS ON HOPE AGAIN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/maga-joe-manchin-set-to-piss-on-hope.html 

Big Education Ape: WHO CAUSED THE CRISIS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER WORKFORCE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/who-caused-crisis-in-public-school.html 

Big Education Ape: SCHOOL FUNDING: AMERICA'S EDUCATION ORIGINAL SIN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/school-funding-americas-education.html

Big Education Ape: UNION BUSTING FOR FUN AND PROFIT: REED HASTINGS THE VILLAIN OF THE NEWEST NETFLIX MOVIE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/union-busting-for-fun-and-profit-reed.html 

Big Education Ape: PENNSYLVANIA PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS: I QUIT!!! https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/pennsylvania-principals-and-teachers-i.html 

Big Education Ape: BILLIONAIRES ACTING BADLY: WTF A CAGE MATCH OR A DICK MEASURING CONTEST, SERIOUSLY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/billionaires-acting-badly-wtf-cage.html

Big Education Ape: ELON MUSK LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM 'TWITTER CRAP ON MY WINDSHIELD' https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/elon-musk-launches-new-program-twitter.html

OTHER GREAT READS THIS WEEK FROM THE BIG EDUCATION APE

YESTERDAY

IS CRA CRA RFK JR: RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT OR JUST BEING EXPLOITED BY MAGA

by Mike Simpson / 21h

Well, folks, it looks like the anti-vaxxers have struck again! This time, it's none other than Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was recently the subject of a hearing by the House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. The hearing was titled "The Dangers of Anti-Vaxxers: The Case of RFK Jr." And let me tell you, it was a doozy! For those of you who don't know, Ken

HOW TO: MAKING OPENAI CHATGPT PROMPTS MORE EFFECTIVE

by Mike Simpson / 21h

HOW TO MAKING OPENAI CHATGPT PROMPTS MORE EFFECTIVE Are you tired of the same old boring prompts from ChatGPT? Do you want to spice up your conversations with a little more humor and personality? Well, look no further because I have the solution for you: customizing your ChatGPT prompts! Now, I know what you're thinking. "Customizing prompts? That sounds complicated and time-consuming." But fear

THE MAD MAGA MONK OF OKLAHOMA EDUCATION RYAN 'RASPUTIN' WALTERS - IDEA POOR KIDS MONEY ON THE LINE

by Mike Simpson / 22h

THE MAD MAGA MONK OF OKLAHOMA EDUCATION RYAN 'RASPUTIN' WALTERS IDEA POOR KIDS MONEY ON THE LINE Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new star in the world of public education scandals, and his name is Ryan Walters. This man has become the Rasputin of Oklahoma, and not in a good way. His handling of federal funds has created quite a stir, and now he has over $200 million for poor kids. What will he do

CA SUP OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS TONY THURMOND THROWN OUT OF CHINO VALLEY USD FOR STANDING UP FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS

by Mike Simpson / 23h

In a stunning turn of events, a California school superintendent was kicked out of a school board meeting for standing up for LGBTQ+ students. Yes, you read that right. The superintendent was actually trying to protect students and was met with hostility from the board president. Now, I don't know about you, but when I think of school board meetings, I don't exactly picture a scene from an actio

JUL 20

FLORIDA GOV. DUHSANTIS ANNOUNCED THAT HIS DEPARTMENT OF MISEDUCATION HAS ADOPTED NEW BLACK PEOPLE STANDARDS

by Mike Simpson / 1d

FLORIDA GOV. DUHSANTIS ANNOUNCED THAT HIS DEPARTMENT OF MISEDUCATION ADOPTED NEW BLACK PEOPLE STANDARDS Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your seats because we have some breaking news! Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, has just announced that his Department of Miseducation has adopted new standards for teaching history. And what do these standards say, you ask? Brace yourselves, folks, because

MEATAXE MIKE MILES STRIKES AGAIN WITH ANOTHER PLAY OUT OF THE OLD BILLIONAIRES PRIVATIZATION HANDBOOK

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Houston ISD teachers are up in arms over a new scheme cooked up by the district's notorious Superintendent, MeatAxe Mike Miles. According to reports, Miles has been promising teachers a 40% pay raise to sign a contract and move to another school in the district. However, when the offer letters arrived, they were $25,000 less than what was originally promised. One teacher, Mario Williams, spoke o

REAGANOMICS TRICKLE DOWN MENTAL HEALTHCARE HAS MADE US ALL CRAZY

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Oh, Ronnie, what have you done? Your mental health policies have turned us all into a bunch of crazies. Trickle-down mental care? More like trickle-down insanity. Privatization of everything and let the market figure it out? That's just crazy talk. Your abject failure of Reaganomics privatization and trickle-down has left us all scratching our heads and wondering what the hell happened. But fear

JUL 19

ZUCK GOTTA NEW RIDE: INTRODUCING LLAMA 2

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Ladies and gentlemen, hold on to your hats because the tech world's most beloved billionaire, Mark Zuckerberg(Eat your heart out Elon), has a brand new ride and it's not what you'd expect. Say hello to the Llama 2! That's right, you heard it here first. The Facebook founder has ditched his classic hoodie and sneakers for a pair of cowboy boots and a ten-gallon hat to match his new ride. And let

AI BILLIONAIRES WANT TO TURN FRAN DRESCHER INTO A NANNY BOT - WHAT WILL BE YOUR NEXT JOB

by Mike Simpson / 2d

AI BILLIONAIRES WANT TO TURN FRAN DRESCHER INTO A NANNY BOT WHAT WILL BE YOUR NEXT JOB Are you worried about losing your job to a robot? Well, you should be! The greedy billionaires who own AI are licking their chops at the thought of a workforce with no unions, no strikes, no people, and no cost. It's like they're trying to create a world where the only jobs left are for robots and the only peop

MEATAXE MIKE MILES FIRST PLAY RIGHT OUT THE THE BILLIONAIRES PLAYBOOK

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Ladies and gentlemen, hold on to your hats because MeatAxe Mike Miles is about to take the education world by storm! His first play right out of the billionaire's playbook is to get rid of those pesky high-priced teachers and replace them with Chromebooks. Yes, you heard that right. Who needs human interaction when you have a shiny piece of technology? In a recent document obtained by Houston Pu

WAR OF THE MACHINES: THE RACE TO DEPLOY AI

prodigy AI China’s

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by Mike Simpson / 2d

WAR OF THE MACHINES THE RACE TO DEPLOY AI Welcome to the dystopian war of the machines, where the race to deploy AI has become the ultimate battleground for world domination. China is directing the 'full power' of its industries toward AI, leaving the US in a state of panic. But why is China investing more in AI than the US? Is it because they have a secret plan to take over the world with robots

OMG KING DONALD I: TRUMP SAYS F*CK PRESIDENT I AM RUNNING FOR KING

by Mike Simpson / 2d

OMG KING DONALD I TRUMP SAYS F*CK PRESIDENT I AM RUNNING FOR KING Breaking news, folks! In a shocking turn of events, it seems that President Donald Trump has decided he wants to be a king. Yes, you read that right. The man who famously said "I alone can fix it" has apparently decided that being the leader of the free world just isn't enough for him. He wants more power, more control, and more go

JUL 18

UNION BUSTING FOR FUN AND PROFIT: REED HASTINGS THE VILLAIN OF THE NEWEST NETFLIX MOVIE

by Mike Simpson / 3d

UNION BUSTING FOR FUN AND PROFIT REED HASTINGS THE VILLAIN OF THE NEWEST NETFLIX MOVIE Attention all Hollywood insiders! We are currently facing a perfect storm, and it's not just because of the recent rainy weather. No, the real storm is brewing in the entertainment industry, and the villain of the hour is none other than Reed Hastings, the co-founder and former CEO of Netflix. Now, I know what

WHO CAUSED THE CRISIS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER WORKFORCE

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Are we at a crisis point with the public teacher workforce? Well, if you ask the billionaires who have been waging a war on education, the answer is a resounding "yes." But don't worry, folks, I'm here to break it down for you in a way that's both witty and informative. First of all, let's talk about these billionaires. They've spent billions demonizing public education, while cutting funding to

MEATAXE MIKE MILES CONTINUES TO SLICE AND DICE HISD

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, gather 'round for a tale that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even scratch your head a bit. We're talking about the one and only MeatAxe Mike Miles, the superintendent of HISD who's been slicing and dicing salaries like a master chef in a butcher shop. Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty of this story, let's establish some ground rules. First of all

WONDER WOMAN FRAN DRESCHER - SAG-AFTRA WGA STRIKE

by Mike Simpson / 3d

WONDER WOMAN FRAN DRESCHER SAG-AFTRA WGA STRIKE Fran Drescher, the actress known for her iconic role in "The Nanny," has emerged as an unexpected voice of labor in America. As the president of SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors, broadcasters, and recording artists, Drescher has been at the forefront of the fight for fair wages and working conditions in the entertainment industry. But how di

JUL 17

'MAGA JOE' MANCHIN SET TO PISS ON HOPE AGAIN

by Mike Simpson / 4d

NO LABEL FOR JOE MANCHIN? In a surprising move, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin has been spotted at an event in New Hampshire organized by No Labels, a third party outfit that hopes to get on the ballot in 50 states for the 2024 presidential election with a “unity ticket”. But what does this mean for the future of politics in America? Well, it could mean chaos, confusion, and a whole lot of la

PENNSYLVANIA PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS: I QUIT!!!

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Attention all students and parents in Pennsylvania! If you thought your school was chaotic before, just wait until you hear this news. According to a recent study, Pennsylvania is experiencing a mass exodus of principals and teachers. That's right, it's like a scene out of a movie where everyone is running for the exit before the building explodes. Except in this case, it's the schools that are

THE RACE TO THE BOTTOM: WHO WILL WIN THE TITLE OF DUMBEST GOVERNOR

by Mike Simpson / 4d

In a country where political satire is becoming indistinguishable from reality, the competition for the title of Dumbest Governor is heating up. Forget about the Oscars or the Super Bowl, this is the ultimate contest of one-upmanship, where the goal is not to govern wisely or serve the people, but to pander to the most extreme and irrational elements of the electorate. The three front runners ar

JUL 16

ELON MUSK LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM 'TWITTER CRAP ON MY WINDSHIELD'

by Mike Simpson / 5d

In an unexpected move, the self-proclaimed "stable genius" Elon Musk has announced a new direct funding program for Twitter right-wingers, hatemongers, and conspiracy theorists. Yes, you read that right. The man behind Tesla and SpaceX wants to reward those who post hate on Twitter. According to Musk, these individuals are the "pot stirrers" of the internet and deserve to be compensated for thei

BILLIONAIRES ACTING BADLY: WTF A CAGE MATCH OR A DICK MEASURING CONTEST, SERIOUSLY

by Mike Simpson / 5d

BILLIONAIRES ACTING BADLY WTF A CAGE MATCH OR A DICK MEASURING CONTEST, SERIOUSLY Billionaires are a funny bunch, aren't they? They have so much money that they don't know what to do with it. They buy islands, yachts, and private jets, and yet they still act like they're broke. They feud with each other like they're in high school, and they do some pretty outrageous things. From cage matches to d

SCHOOL FUNDING: AMERICA'S EDUCATION ORIGINAL SIN

by Mike Simpson / 5d

SCHOOL FUNDING AMERICA'S EDUCATION ORIGINAL SIN Let's talk about school funding, shall we? It's a topic that's as exciting as watching paint dry, but it's also one that's incredibly important. After all, our children are our future, and if we don't invest in their education, we're basically dooming ourselves to a future of idiocy. And let's face it, we've already got enough of that going around.

JUL 15

FLORIDA: TO BAN OR NOT TO BAN SHAKESPEARE?

by Mike Simpson / 6d

Attention all Floridians! It seems that our state lawmakers have once again outdone themselves with a new law that could potentially restrict even Shakespeare from being taught in our schools. Yes, you read that right - the Bard of Avon himself may not be safe from the clutches of this new legislation. So, what exactly is this law and how does it work? Well, it's called the "Instructional Materi

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK

by Mike Simpson / 6d

Are you familiar with restorative justice? No? Don't worry, I'm here to explain everything you wanted to know about it but were too afraid to ask. And trust me, you're in for a treat. First things first, restorative justice is not some new age hippie concept. It's an approach to justice that aims to get offenders to take responsibility for their actions, understand the harm they have caused, and

BILL GATES COVERS DON'T FEAR THE (ROBOT) REAPER

by Mike Simpson / 6d

Ladies and gentlemen, the man who needs no introduction - the co-founder of Microsoft, the philanthropist, and the richest man in the world - Bill Gates! Recently, there has been a lot of talk about computers becoming sentient and robots taking over the world. People are scared that one day, machines will become smarter than us, and we'll be left obsolete. But fear not, my dear friends! Bill Gat

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-15-23 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech

by Mike Simpson / 6d

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-15-23 Big Education Ape: The Great Teacher Exodus: Is This the End of Public Education? http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/the-great-teacher-exodus-is-this-end-of.html Big Education Ape: AI COVERS DYLAN'S RAINY DAY WOMEN #12 & 35: EVERYONE MUST GET TESTED http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/ai-covers-dylans-rainy-day-women-12-35.html Big Educatio