The Charter Money Trail
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Following public dollars through a traditional school district is, by
comparison, straightforward. District budgets are public record. Board
meetings are o...
ICYMI: Oh, September (9/6)
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I can always see the big May crunch coming from a mile away, but September
usually just sneaks up on me and suddenly--BAM-- I am up to my ears in One
Damn ...
Day 1 for the New Congress
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If Dems don't do this, they will have failed us entirely.
[image or embed]
— unpersoned.bsky.social (@unpersoned.bsky.social) September 5, 2026 at
5:5...
ICE Creates a NewData Base
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A new day, a new fascist plot by the Trump admin.
This time the threat is coming via ICE. And no, it’s not the threat DHS
Secretary Markwayne Mullin ...
Randi’s Weekly Report: ‘We Are Not Powerless’
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Watch now | In my new video, I share the findings from our new educator
survey, revealing a profession in crisis—teachers stressed about rising
costs and i...
Why Does Teacher Pay Matter?
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A recent story on America’s growing teacher shortage indicates a real
problem – nearly half a million teaching positions unfilled or filled with
temporary ...
Nasty, Uncontrollable, Hopelessly Feral
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"I really can't stand children."
It's a sentiment I occasionally encounter upon informing a stranger of the
work I do. It always rocks me back on my he...
Gary Rubinstein's Blog: By One Dishonest Measure
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Gary Rubinstein's Blog: By One Dishonest Measure
A loaded question that education reformers like to ponder is: Exactly how
many students in the boroughs o...
FL: State Wants To Run Church Business
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The Catholic Church and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier are in the
midst of an argument about who runs Catholic private schools.
Catholic private s...
Which Honeypot Would Work on You?
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A honeypot feels like desire fulfilled, not danger approaching. I’ve been
binge-watching Lioness the past week, and I am finally caught up through
Season 3...
SPI Celebrates 1 Million CalKIDS Accounts
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California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond
celebrates 1 million CalKIDS accounts, highlights financial literacy in
Monterey County.
DOE presentation on their AI guidance
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The following slides were presented to the AI Moratorium Coalition steering
commitee on Sept. 1, 2026. The last slide has bullet points made up of
response...
How Do We Stop a Coup? We Organize
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Just like you, there are many people in this country who want to save our
democracy. And if we organize, we can, Many of us in the United States are
asking...
The Light She Left Behind
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“Those we love don’t go away, they sit beside us every day.” — Liane
Moriarty, Big Little Lies Forgive us if we are a little sad here in
Tennessee. We lost...
The Great and Irreplaceable Dolly Parton
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If the state of the world has you down, here’s a reprieve, two interviews
with the great Dolly Parton. The first is my extended interview with her,
13 yea...
Who Wants a Raise?
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Everyone. And if you are a UFTer (and not a retiree), you are getting one.
But get this. A new paraprofessional is getting a raise of $803/year. Man,
do th...
Research Studies Of The Week
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I often write about research studies from various fields and how they can
be applied to the classroom. I write individual posts about ones that I
think a...
AI Bogus EdTech Scheme
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By Thomas Ultican 8/24/2026 Big technology oligarchs are pushing their
dangerous not-ready-for-prime-time artificial intelligence (AI) products
into Americ...
SQ 844: How is this better?
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In plain terms, the new language gives the Legislature the authority to
establish both the amount and methodology for distributing ad valorem
reimbursement...
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It's time to Revise Louisiana's
School Curriculum
Present standards do not allow for individual differences and life goals
For the last 15 years Louisiana'...
Time to change our Nation’s Diaper
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It’s time to change our nation’s diaper. Our national identity now reeks
due to our inability to clean out the mess caused by the Orange Turd.
Corruption i...
GLP-1 Meds for Kids? Some Info.
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Like many consumers of television and social media, I have been bombarded
with ads for GLP-1s (short for glucagon-like peptide-1). The ads are
everywhere. ...
By One Dishonest Measure
-
A loaded question that education reformers like to ponder is: Exactly how
many students in the boroughs of New York City are trapped in failing
schools? In...
1776
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__________
“The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and
conduct of this army…. We have, therefore, resolved to conquer...
May’s Parent Engagement Resources
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San Diego Unified Created a System to ‘Empower’ Parents. It Unraveled is
from The Voice of San Diego. Why Those Disengaged Parents in Your School
Deserve a...
Reflections on America, the world, and life
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I acknowledge that I rarely post here anymore. Folks should remember that I
am approaching my 80th birthday in less than 9 weeks, I am still teaching
ful...
Shutting Down The Site
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Ten years ago, I ran for a seat on the LAUSD School Board of Education with
the goal to *Change the LAUSD*.
I am proud of the campaign we ran. We achieve...
Il Papa è Morto
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Francis brought a distinct pastoral outlook to his papacy. A simple man, he
lived in a small apartment in the guesthouse. He sought to make the church
acce...
AIN’T IT AWFUL
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As the terrible feelings of dread and angst spread across the world the
great majority of the American people feel powerless before the onslaught
of those ...
Vote NO on the UFT Contract. Here is Why:
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The best reason to vote no on this contract is this: UFT Unity* lied* to us
in 2018. They misrepresented that contract. It was predicated on deals we
wer...
There Is A Teacher Shortage.Not.
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THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE. And just to be sure you understand, it’s not
that teachers don’t want to teach. It’s not that there aren’t enough
teachers cer...
Book Banning Turns to Dick and Jane
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Breaking News: Dateline February 4, 2022 - Parents in Dimwitty, Alabama
have asked the Dimwitty Board of Education to ban the children's primer *Fun
with...
Have You Heard Has a New Website
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TweetHave You Heard has a new website. Visit us at
www.haveyouheardpodcast.com to find our latest episodes and our entire
archive. And be sure to check out...
Follow me at Substack
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I've moved. Follow me at Substack
I'm now posting regularly at Substack. You can subscribe for free to my new
Edu/Pol blog at michaelklonsky.substack.com
...
I’ve moved.
-
I’m on Substack now. You can continue to receive periodic posts for free.
Or you can read every post and comment for $5 a month, $60 a year.
fredklonsky.su...
Aspiring Teachers Get New Help Paying For College
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[image: colorful classroom pattern]
*; Credit: shuoshu/Getty Images*
Cory Turner | NPR
New rules kick in today that will help aspiring teachers pay for c...
Tips Akses Situs Judi Qq Tanpa Perlu Takut Nawala
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Kegiatan berjudi slot melalui situs judi qq online, sekarang sudah
dilakukan oleh banyak penjudi Indonesia. Tentu, Kamu yang sedang membaca
artikel ini a...
The Threat of Integration
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I have lived in the same house in the Miracle Mile section of Los Angeles
for over 30 years, where up until now I have had little or no interaction
with th...
The Passing Of Chaz 1951-2020 Age 69
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I am the son of Chaz and like to inform you that he passed away this
afternoon from the COVID virus. My father passed in peace beside his loved
ones. We ar...
The Fight For Our Children
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*The number of suicides among people ages 10 to 24 nationally increased by
56 percent between 2007 and 2017, according to a new federal report showing
the ...
Read to Self: Just a Kid and a Book.
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Date: Monday, January 5, 2020 Place: My classroom Student: Mrs.Mims, could
we start doing Read to Self again because I got this great book for
Christmas an...
Reminiscences
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I just finished dumping the rest of my lesson plans. I guess I held on to
the calculus ones for so long because I spent so much time working on them
an...
Just Asking for some Teachers I know.
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Recently Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers stated, We must … recognize that
part of supporting our kids in the classroom means supporting the educators
who t...
Cara Menang Bermain Judi Bola Online
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Bermain judi bola online tentu saja memiliki kesenangannya tersendiri baik
itu mendapatkan keuntungan maupun ketika menantikan hasil skor pada sebuah
perta...
The World According to Michelle Rhee
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The men behind the curtain fashioning the brave new world of corporate run
education in America! Michelle Rhee is the founder of StudentsFirst, The
New T...
Whose Opinions Matter in Education World?
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It's hard to identify education heroes and sheroes. And perhaps even harder
to pinpoint just whose work is slanted, paid-for and dishonest.
Lesson Plan: Rhyme and Rhythm in Poetry
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I’ve started a recent unit on poetry with my class. I’m not a poet, and I’m
not a poetry fan (I don’t hate it, but I’m a prose gal), so this makes it
harde...
Site News: New Home for Education News & Commentary
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Quick! Get over there! The daily education news roundup and education
commentaries that you're probably looking for are now being published over
at The Gra...
Should We Be Grateful?
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In an odd turn of events, and with little explanation, Michigan Governor
Rick Snyder has decided to return the state’s School Reform Office back to
the Dep...
An Open Letter to NC Lawmakers
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An Open Letter to NC State Lawmakers and NC State Superintendent Mark
Johnson: I am a NC native, voter, and public school teacher. I am
addressing you all ...
Farewell, Sleep
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Today is the official last day of my spring break. I've done a scientific
survey: My natural bedtime is 2 AM, and my natural wake up time is 9:41
AM. Tom...
Test Refusal = People Power
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In recent months, social media has been ablaze with talk of regular folk
taking action to resist the Trump agenda. Protests are a daily occurrence,
and ev...
Random Musings and Observations. . . .
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I’ve been gone a while from the blogging scene. Some of my more regular
readers no doubt noticed but did not hassle me about it. Thank you for
that. Sinc...
AB 934: A LEGISLATIVE FIX FOR VERGARA?
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By Michael Stratford | in the Politco Morning Education Report | via email
05/24/2016 10:00 AM EDT :: Two national education groups are backing a
Califor...
MY NEW BLOG
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My new blog will consist of fictitious headlines, meant to be a blend of
humor and satire. I apologize ahead of time if any other satirical site has
simila...
Thank you
-
Dear Readers,
Thank you for visiting *The Perimeter Primate*. This blog is being retired
for the time being. Although I no longer post here, I do still s...
I am Retiring
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I have some news: I am retiring from the PBS NewsHour and Learning Matters.
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other
conte...
Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School
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*“With Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School closing, Newark families must
move on.”* The Star-Ledger (NJ), 6/25/2013
NEWARK — Bobby and Troy Shanks saw the...
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Chris Reykdal for State Superintendent of Public Instruction : Chris Reykdal for State Superintendent of Public Instruction I'm endorsing Chris Reykdal for state superintendent. Before I get to why, I want to lay out what the role of the state superintendent is. Reydal's website . KUOW had this piece about the job recently and called it "ceremonial." I t
Love and Hate, Sorta (It's Only Been Two Days) | The Jose Vilson : Love and Hate, Sorta (It's Only Been Two Days) “Vilson, tu si ere malo!” It was the most random comment. For whatever reason, middle school students crack me up. Perhaps a large part of their being necessitates testing limits within the first few days of getting to know a teacher. Perhaps they insist that the first two days don’t
The Fight to Bring Transparency to California's Charter Schools - LA Progressive : The Fight to Bring Transparency to California’s Charter Schools imee Roylance was thrilled when her son was accepted into Livermore Valley Charter School in 2010. The traditional public schools in their part of the Bay Area were cash-strapped and struggling, and the K-8 charter school, with a waiting list 300 kids
SACRAMENTO PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE: CTA Public Education Forum - Sacramento : CTA Public Education Forum - Sacramento The Sacramento City Unified School District has a once in a lifetime opportunity to create the public education system our students deserve. Because it is in the best financial position in its history, with the right vision Sac City can become THE Destination District in California.
“Union Shill”: I am more than a label, I am me – Cloaking Inequity : “Union Shill”: I am more than a label, I am me Drop Labels is a upcoming social media campaign using videos to share personal stories of individuals discussing a particular label that has impacted their life. At the end of every video, the filmed individual asks for their friends to upload their personal videos on DropLabels.Org
Education Lessons From A Sparkly District: What A Difference A Year Makes : What A Difference A Year Makes A year ago, I wrote about a student's 8th grade class schedule in a Newark middle school. You can read that post here . It was also later picked up by Valerie Strauss at the Washington Post . The Newark schedule was in stark contrast to what schedules look like in suburban and wealthier dist
DON'T WANT STATE AUDIT OF "TEACHER JAIL PRACTICE" AT LAUSD TO BE A DON'T WANT STATE AUDIT OF "TEACHER JAIL PRACTICE" AT LAUSD TO BE A WHITEWASH? LET THEM HEAR FROM YOU On January 13 th , 2016, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) approved an audit requested by State Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) regarding the use of "Teacher Jail" by the Los Angeles Unifie
Tom Torlakson Announces Nutrition Grant Winners - Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education) : Tom Torlakson Announces Nutrition Grant Winners - Year 2016 SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that 50 schools received grants for the 2016–17 school year to make changes in their cafeterias to encourage students to select and enjoy nutritious foods. The grants com
Assume You Can Do What You Like Under ESSA, Sen. Alexander Tells Ky. Lawmakers - Politics K-12 - Education Week : Assume You Can Do What You Like Under ESSA, Sen. Alexander Tells Ky. Lawmakers How should states approach the Every Student Succeeds Act? U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., had clear advice for state lawmakers on Monday: Assume you can do as you please, and if the U.S. Department of
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Here's just 5 day's worth of Chicago Trib's CPD headlines : Here's just 5 day's worth of Chicago Trib's CPD headlines Grand jury to look into possible cover-up by Chicago police in Laquan McDonald shooting (9/12) A grand jury will be impaneled to investigate a possible cover-up by Chicago police in the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald at the request of a special pr
In Chicago, DFER has been run out of town. | Fred Klonsky : In Chicago, DFER has been run out of town. Former DFER boss, Joe Williams, quit to get a job at Walmart. The rest of DFER left town. Back in 2014, Illinois Democratic Party political consultant David Ormsby predicted, “Democrats for Education Reform will face a formidable challenge outmaneuvering the CTU.” Ormsby and I have had differenc
Outside donors having big impact on local school races :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet : Outside donors having big impact on local school races (Mich.) Millions of dollars from out-of-state donors is changing the landscape of school board elections, though not always in ways that reflect the desires of local communities, according to new re
Kapos: Arne Duncan won't rule out a run for office | Chicago Sun-Times : Kapos: Arne Duncan won’t rule out a run for office For a guy who’s left public office, Arne Duncan is pretty opinionated about how Illinois should be run. The former U.S. secretary of education says inequity in education — when “more money is spent on children of the wealthy than kids who are poor” — is the state’s greatest
ECOT not alone in online charter schools’ attendance struggles | The Columbus Dispatch : ECOT not alone in online charter schools’ attendance struggles The Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow may be the poster child in the fight over online school attendance, but other recent audits show it is hardly alone in struggling to document whether students are spending enough time on schoolwork. As the stat
Suit: CPS ignores request for records on firing of principal | Chicago Sun-Times : Suit: CPS ignores request for records on firing of principal A lawsuit is charging Chicago Public Schools with intentionally withholding public records regarding the firing of former principal Troy LaRaviere, known as one of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s strongest critics. Nick Burt filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsui
Study Shows Students of Color Are Disproportionately Affected by School Surveillance - The Atlantic : When School Feels Like Prison A new study shows that campuses with larger populations of students of color are more likely to use harsh surveillance techniques. In December 2012, a Senate subcommittee was convened to examine the school-to-prison pipeline, a national trend in which overly punitive
CURMUDGUCATION: The New Mascot : The New Mascot Consider Pitbull. The rappish artiste and modern poet ("Face down, booty up, that's the way we like to- what?!") has greeted the new school year with his third charter school. Pitbull has tried to make something out of the nickname he was tagged with once-- "Mr. Education"-- but it hasn't really caught on. But it hasn't stuck, pe
Did You Miss The Celebration? | Dr. Edward F. Berger : Did You Miss The Celebration? Those who are celebrating do not intend to represent our communities. In the primary elections, big money from outside – called Dark Money – succeeded in blocking community interests. Take the future of our public schools for example. By positioning themselves for a win in the general election, they can put in pl
Education Law Prof Blog : A School District on the Brink of Collapse: Educational Opportunity at the Intersection of Race, Poverty, and Geography For the past few years, Pennsylvania's education system has stood at the brink of disaster in some shape, form, or fashion. First came the state's decision to retreat from its new school funding formula and impose new cuts. Then came stories of complete
NYC Educator: Limiting Parent Access : Limiting Parent Access It's fundamental that teachers and parents communicate, and for me as a teacher, parents are my first and best support. The first thing I do when I see a problem I can't resolve one on one is call. And while I get a lot of feedback from commenters and colleagues who say the parents are never home, they don't care, that it's a waste of
Donald Trump Comes to Cleveland, Steps Right into Charter School Regulation Mess | janresseger : Donald Trump Comes to Cleveland, Steps Right into Charter School Regulation Mess As you may have read, Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for President, showed up in Cleveland last Thursday to announce his education plan—to make $20 billion in federal block grants to the states to expand school ch
How Texas keeps out tens of thousands of children out of special education - Houston Chronicle : Report: Benchmark led to special education services denials During the first week of school at Shadow Forest Elementary, a frail kindergartner named Roanin Walker had a meltdown at recess. Overwhelmed by the shrieking and giggling, he hid by the swings and then tried to escape the playground, hitting
Trump's Plan to Destroy Public Education | Huffington Post : Trump’s Plan to Destroy Public Education If you are a public school parent or teacher thinking of voting for Donald Trump, be prepared to kiss your school good-bye. Donald Trump has never had much use for public schools, or for that matter, his own children when they were younger. As a boy The Donald attended the private (and expensive)
Lawsuit claims that same-sex marriage leads to charter schools, and it may be right : Lawsuit claims that same-sex marriage leads to charter schools, and it may be right Same-sex marriage leads to charter schools. Or, at least, that’s what Josh Lipshutz tells me he hopes will happen in a call about Martinez v. Malloy , an ambitious lawsuit he help craft on behalf of several Connecticut families.
State school review underscores rift between Gov. Edwards, Education Superintendent John White | Education | theadvocate.com : State school review underscores rift between Gov. Edwards, Education Superintendent John White The public school agendas of Gov. John Bel Edwards and state Superintendent of Education John White appear to be on a collision course. White's state Department of Education is
The 20 schools that won 2016 Schools of Opportunity awards — and why they were selected - The Washington Post : The 20 schools that won 2016 Schools of Opportunity awards — and why they were selected Here’s a post by the creators