
Latest News and Comment from Education
-
Poem: i walked (siren song) - Ringing in my ears sounds like singing It’s the only thing I hear “Deep End (Paul’s In Pieces),” The National i walked into the room unaware of the room i ...56 minutes ago
-
ICYMI: Bonus Week Edition (12/3) - Every so often, Thanksgiving comes so early that we get what amounts to an extra week between Thanksgiving and Christmas. An excellent opportunity to get...3 hours ago
-
Hello world! - Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!3 hours ago
-
Lecturing and Questioning: Mainstays of Classroom Practice - The lecture is 800 years old (Lecture). Medieval professors dictated text to their students. And teachers questioning students is equally as old. Yet these...7 hours ago
-
The Ziegler Sex Scandal: Police Release Rape Affidavit of Accuser - The political story of the year in Florida is the accusation by an unnamed woman that she was raped by Christian Ziegler, chairman of the Florida Republica...16 hours ago
-
The UAW, representing a million current and retired workers, calls for a ceasefire. - The United Auto Workers, a union historically at the core of the Democratic Party coalition, has broken ranks with the Biden administration on Israel’s res...20 hours ago
-
Why reading nursery rhymes and singing to babies may help them to learn language - - Phonetic information – the smallest sound elements of speech – may not be the basis of language learning in babies as previously thought ...21 hours ago
-
Take Air Grady Judd's $5M "loitering" spy plane off the consent agenda, county commissioners - Sheriff Showtime is about to spend up to $5M of your money on something built to surveil you. And the County Commission has buried it deeeeeep in its conse...22 hours ago
-
Just Sent-Out Free Monthly Email Newsletter - I’ve just mailed out the December issue of my very simple free monthly email newsletter. It has over 3,000 subscribers, and you can subscribe here. Of co...1 day ago
-
More High School Robberies in Seattle - This is all just awful. It looks like walking alone to a car could be a less favorable option so maybe tell your teen to walk in a group. Including Balla...1 day ago
-
Improving Public Schools (#14): Ban Cell Phones! - A simple way to improve public schools would be to institute a complete and total ban of all cell phones and so-called smart watches. Banning these ubiqui...1 day ago
-
SBE December 11, 2023 Screening Committee Notice, RDRSSP - The purpose of this meeting is to interview candidates for appointment to the Reading Difficulties Risk Screener Selection Panel (RDRSSP).1 day ago
-
Finding School Survey Results (NYC) - Want to know what teachers think about a school? Best way to find out is to talk to those teachers… but that’s often not an option. And especially for teac...1 day ago
-
Radical Eyes for Equity: Education Lies That Won’t Die: Teacher Value - Radical Eyes for Equity: Education Lies That Won’t Die: Teacher Value The list is mind-numbingly long—education lies that won’t die. I have detailed often...1 day ago
-
Gossip - What other people say about me is none of my business. It's a rationale that pops up for me when I feel judged by others, when I suspect or know that so...1 day ago
-
DAMN! Henry Kissinger has died - From the brilliant blog, Men Yell at Me: Dingus of the week: Everyone pretending Kissinger was actually good DEC 1 This is the weekly dingus, the Friday ne...1 day ago
-
Gagging Trump or Us? - Trump having to comply with a very limited gag order is only half of today’s story. The other half is how Trump’s allies in the Republican party are causin...2 days ago
-
The Sky is Falling, or is it? - Well, this is the first anniversary of the introduction of Generative AI in the form of ChatGPT to the world of education. Before it was a week old, over o...2 days ago
-
Class Size Matters & AQE urge State Education Department to require DOE submit a class size corrective action plan - Yesterday, Class Size Matters and AQE sent a letter to the State Education Commissioner, urging them to demand that DOE produce a class size corrective act...2 days ago
-
UPDATE: GEORGE SANTOS "MAGA POSTER BOY" EXPELLED FROM CONGRESS - Rep. George Santos was expelled from the House — what happens next? Santos' expulsion is effective immediately. There are now 434 members of the House. ...2 days ago
-
"Non-profit" Hospitals (see Ascension) Shift Mission from Community Service to $erving Corporate $elf. - There's an interesting op-ed in the NYTimes today on the failure of non-profit hospitals to live up to their mission required by the IRS in order to main...2 days ago
-
Objects In the Mirror May Be Further Away Then They Appear - “If it’s a choice between a difficult truth and a simple lie, people will take the lie every time. Even if it kills them.” ― Paul Murray It’s been a diff...2 days ago
-
The far right has a plan to remake America. They even wrote it down. - It’s not like we haven’t been warned. Should the Republican presidential nominee (likely Donald Trump) win the election next year, conservatives have ...3 days ago
-
Book Bans Erase the Stories that Affirm Students’ Identities - Robert Samuels’ When Your Own Book Gets Caught Up in the Censorship Wars, published earlier this week in the New Yorker Magazine‘s online “Daily,” captures...3 days ago
-
The $27.1 million clash between education reform and public school advocates - Carol Burris, the executive director of the Network for Public Education Foundation, said public education advocates have a larger and more established b...3 days ago
-
Saving Kindergarten! Real Teachers Write the Kinderchat Guides with Real Solutions! - In 2022, co-authors Heidi Echternacht and Amy Murray wrote The Kinderchat Guide to the Classroom. They’re the founders of the famous #Kinderchat that sta...4 days ago
-
November’s (2023) Useful Parent Engagement Resources – Part One - 6 things principals can focus on to improve family engagement is from Teach Learn Grow. New post on how to help parent support the study skills of school s...4 days ago
-
Public Rejects Moms for Liberty-Endorsed Candidates by 2-to-1 Margin - Moms for Liberty is not about liberty. America is catching on to that. As Valerie Strauss reports in the November 10, 2023, Washington Post Answer Sheet, M...4 days ago
-
-
Tamales for Scholarships - * 30th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser* * League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) * [image: A red white and blue logo Description au...5 days ago
-
The Problem With How You Discuss Reading - Kids can’t read. At least that’s what we’ve been told to believe by folks trying to dismantle public education. Proponents of this refrain use frivolous ...6 days ago
-
Some thoughts on Israel/Palestine - I am cutting and pasting some thoughts from commenters on Steve Ruis’ blog. He pretty much blames the Israelis for the mess and wants the US to stop suppor...6 days ago
-
Propaganda from The 74 and University of Arkansas - By Thomas Ultican – 11/26/2023 The 74 published a blatant propaganda piece on Monday (11/20/2023), based on “Still a Good Investment: Charter School produc...1 week ago
-
Join us Monday Nov. 27 to hear about the Class Size Law and what DOE should be doing to comply! - Please join us Monday at 7 PM for a meeting on the new class size, what DOE should be doing but it not, and how parents, teachers & others can help ensur...1 week ago
-
-
Standardized Tests Lie - Standardized tests are not accurate assessments of student learning. They are corporate propaganda.1 week ago
-
El entrenamiento es como transformaremos a la sociedad - Aquí en People's Action Institute, el entrenamiento y capacitación son fundamentales - Son la base de quienes somos. Para nosotros, es un compromiso. Sabe...1 week ago
-
The Legacy of the Wide-Awakes and the Hijacking of the American Populist Tradition - By Paul Horton. The Republican assault on American History begins and ends with distortion. The clear intent of attacks on political correctness, books, an...2 weeks ago
-
“Federal law requires some kind of accountability measure before graduation whether it be a standardized test or something else. Why can’t the state simply use classroom grades for this measure?” - I am biased. I hate tests and prefer GPA, based on classroom grades. Where does my bias come from? From 30 years as a classroom teacher, who focused on how...3 weeks ago
-
Way Down Upon Suwannee River - Florida! Or Floriduh, depending upon your opinion of its educational practices that, like the Dark Arts of the Harry Potter series, are “… Many, Varied, Ev...3 weeks ago
-
-
Site Index - Updated October 28, 2023 - *My Promise * WHEN I STARTED BLOGGING IN 2011, I said I planned to speak up for good teachers. I would not defend bad ones. I began by trying to debunk...5 weeks ago
-
Redesigning School Governance: Beyond Mayoral Control - From time to time the legislature passes a bill with a sunset provision, unless the law is reauthorized by a specific date the law reverts to the law it re...5 weeks ago
-
It's Done. I resigned yesterday. - Today is my last day, because I had already assigned work in a couple of classes, and I have an obligation to grade that work and enter it into the gradi...1 month ago
-
Closing Latinx Heritage Month with Inspiration and Family History 🌟🇲🇽🇺🇸 - 🎉 As Latinx Heritage Month 2023 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of resilience and determination that define...1 month ago
-
20 Best Mph Programs In New York, NY (2023 Updated) - 20 Best Mph Programs In New York, NY 1. Pace University Rating: (4.2 ) Address: One Pace Plaza, New York, NY 10038... The post 20 Best Mph Programs In...1 month ago
-
Keep your nose on - Advice from my mother, “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.” FEEDING THE ECONOMY We’ve been told that to keep society running smoothly, people shou...2 months ago
-
Will KIPP NYC Be Disqualified (Again) From U.S. News & World Report Best High School Rankings? - There is exactly one KIPP high school in New York City. KIPP NYC College Prep High School was started in 2009 to serve students graduating from KIPP middle...2 months ago
-
POSTPONED: Florida’s Impact on Social Studies - POSTPONED: discussion with Florida and DC educators and advocates on the impact of Florida's new laws Continue reading2 months ago
-
Rethinking the time spent at school: Could flexibility improve engagement and performance for students and teachers? - Is it possible to reduce the time students spend in classrooms and schools? Would such a reduction be better for learning and retaining teachers? How shoul...3 months ago
-
Lying Liars of the NYC DOE - The APPR travails continue. When last I blogged I shared how my principal, XXXXXXXX XXXXX of PS XXX did an end run around me. I was refused to be obser...4 months ago
-
Announcing The 2023 Black Education Matters Award Winners—Meet The Young Changemakers Challenging Educational Injustice! - We are excited to announce the 2023 Black Education Matters Award winners: Marta Sisay and Joyin Akinola. These two exceptional young people have done extr...5 months ago
-
Vote NO on the UFT Contract. Here is Why: - 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...5 months ago
-
What Is The Most Important Subject In School? A Comprehensive Analysis - Education is a crucial aspect of our lives, and the subjects we learn in school shape our...5 months ago
-
Let’s talk about Dana Kriznar - There is a good chance she will be DCPS’s interim super come June 2nd, for at least six months, and because the superintendent job will be so unattractiv...6 months ago
-
Metaphors in ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech - In this article, we will explore the powerful use of metaphors in Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” ... Read more7 months ago
-
-
Louisiana legislates student protections from digital device health risks: 4th state to create health and safety guidelines for schools - by Cindy Eckard www.screensandkids.us @screensandkids on Twitter Children using digital devices are at risk for several impacts to their health, especially...9 months ago
-
What ever happend to John Deasy, the Man From Gates? - * Here's an update on Deasy from 2020* By Thomas Ultican 7/29/2020 April 21, the Stockton Unified School District (SUSD) board accepted John Deasy’s let...9 months ago
-
Tell Me Again What The Democratic Party Actually Is? - Well mostly, it’s a collection of folks striving to see that the Party winds up looking like what they envision…1 year ago
-
Testimony to the CPS Truancy Task Force - I prepared testimony for one of two public hearings held by the Chicago Public Schools Truancy Task Force, a body mandated by state legislation. The meetin...1 year ago
-
Skin Deep - She spends so much time on her outward appearance. There is never a hair out of place. Her makeup is perfect and her clothes are stylish and match to ...1 year ago
-
Tennis Memories from a Time When Racism and Anti-Semitism Still Prevailed - I learned tennis at a public park in Brooklyn- Lincoln Terrace- where the teaching pro was a mailman named Phil Rubell. Almost all the kids who took lesson...1 year ago
-
There Is A Teacher Shortage.Not. - 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...1 year ago
-
Reason #1 to pick Dr. Grace over Mr. Walters: The future we’ve already seen - In 2014, Oklahoma voters corrected the mistake we made in 2010. In 2022, let’s not make the mistake in the first place. Elect Dr. April Grace instead. She ...1 year ago
-
-
THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE. NOT! - 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 certi...1 year ago
-
Addendum to Mission Hill Statement - Follow up blog, Dear friends and colleagues, My friend and long-time colleague, Bonnie Brownstein, had some interesting thoughts about my Blog in regards t...1 year ago
-
-
Abortion: Only For Those Who Need It! - NOTE: This post contains my opinions on Catholicism based on my experiences as a child in the 1960's and 70's. Take what you like and leave the rest. I m...1 year ago
-
Want to know the condition of a Philly school building? New map to help. - [image: Two students walk by a Philadelphia school building.] Aging infrastructure has been an issue for Philadelphia schools for years. A new interactive...1 year ago
-
Hello world! - Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing! The post Hello world! first appeared on Just another WordPress site.1 year ago
-
What can we learn by modeling existing variations in school spending and outcomes? (Reprise) - There are those in the ed reform world who would tell us that existing public schools and districts are simply inefficient in their use of existing funding...1 year ago
-
STREET LIFE - My mom told me, “You should treat all people equally, but don’t bring a “colored” into the house.” I believed … Continue reading →1 year ago
-
Schools Matter: Reflecting on Green Dot’s Disastrous Locke Takeover - *“Green Dot came and made it into more of a jail.” — Chris* My history of opposing the Green Dot Charter School Corporation back when I was an activist i...1 year ago
-
Book Banning Turns to Dick and Jane - 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...1 year ago
-
On the Edge of Silence - “There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamen...1 year ago
-
The Howlers of History and How We Must Reclaim the Narrative - “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all judgments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignor...2 years ago
-
Have You Heard Has a New Website - 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...2 years ago
-
Follow me at Substack - 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 ...2 years ago
-
-
On Remote Teaching and Learning In an Ongoing Pandemic - Some recent stories I've been thinking about (all emphases mine). Tennessee: Gov. Bill Lee’s administration is getting pushback in Memphis on new Tenness...2 years ago
-
Milwaukee Bradley Foundation at Center of Attacks on U.S. Voting Rights - The Big Money Behind the Big Lie Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy are being promoted by rich and powerful conservative groups that are determined to win...2 years ago
-
Milwaukee Bradley Foundation at Center of Attacks on U.S. Voting Rights - The Big Money Behind the Big Lie Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy are being promoted by rich and powerful conservative groups that are determined to win...2 years ago
-
Aspiring Teachers Get New Help Paying For College - [image: colorful classroom pattern] *; Credit: shuoshu/Getty Images* Cory Turner | NPR New rules kick in today that will help aspiring teachers pay for c...2 years ago
-
Major victory over a corporate charter school chain and their trade association - Original post at Robert’s page on Medium. On Tuesday, March 23, 2021, I got my second big win in court against a charter school corporation. It was also a ...2 years ago
-
Tips Akses Situs Judi Qq Tanpa Perlu Takut Nawala - Kegiatan berjudi slot melalui situs judi qq online, sekarang sudah dilakukan oleh banyak penjudi Indonesia. Tentu, Kamu yang sedang membaca artikel ini a...2 years ago
-
CEJ’s Virtual Mayoral Candidate Forum; Racial Justice in Public Schools - On Thursday, February 18th, over 1,000 students, parents, educators, community members, and activists alike, joined CEJ to hear the mayoral candidates’ vis...2 years ago
-
GA run-offs need your help! - Extremely important. Volunteer if you can. Thank you if you are already doing so. Out of state opportunities here: Ralph … Continue reading →3 years ago
-
Pandemic Teaching – What’s up? - Responding to the call from Pocketful of Primary to answer questions about how teaching during the pandemic is going.3 years ago
-
The Threat of Integration - 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...3 years ago
-
New Teacher Evaluation Report Released by the Network for Public Education - A new report on current teacher evaluation systems throughout the US was just released by the Network for Public Education. The report is titled, “Teachers...3 years ago
-
www.job-applications.com - https://www.job-applications.com/bed-bath-and-beyond-job-application/3 years ago
-
Teacher Creates National Database Tracking COVID-19 Outbreaks in Schools - Kansas educator Alisha Morris's online coronavirus news-tracker goes viral, now hosted on a new NEA website.3 years ago
-
School Year 2020-21: We Are Asking the Wrong Questions - It is perfectly understandable that many in our country want public school buildings to be open for in person instruction this year. Among the many hardshi...3 years ago
-
Correction for July 10th Post on School District Audit - On July 10, 2020 we published a post “School District Caught Manipulating Attendance Records to Get More Money” which incorrectly cited Valley Park School ...3 years ago
-
We fight for a democracy worthy of us all! - The nation stands at a crossroads, said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García in her final keynote address to the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly and it’s up...3 years ago
-
A Citizens’ Rebellion 2020 - The United States began to form after the rebellion against the King of England when the settlers in the colonies along the eastern coast reacted to the in...3 years ago
-
Giving Private Schools Federal Emergency Funds Slated for Low-income Students Will Shortchange At-risk Kids - Low-income Seattle students began to pick up bagged lunches in March after their school closed. Karen Ducey/Getty Images Derek W. Black, University of Sout...3 years ago
-
A Fundamental Redesign of Our Schools - I climbed the hill leading up to one of my favorite coffee shops in Seattle this morning to enjoy a coffee while taking in a phenomenal view of the city o...3 years ago
-
The Passing Of Chaz 1951-2020 Age 69 - 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...3 years ago
-
Thoughts on schooling in the era of COVID-19 - Well, a whole lot has changed since I returned to blogging a month and half ago. In case you didn't notice, and I'm sure everyone reading this did, there's...3 years ago
-
What are You Going to Do when Disaster Capitalism Knocks on the Public-School Door? - “Schools will be closed until at least April 20, after the upcoming spring break, but could stay closed for significantly longer, Mr. de Blasio said.” Whe...3 years ago
-
Let The Next Round Of Anti-Semitic Ads Begin - All four pro-public education candidates came in first in their LAUSD school board elections, but two will face run-offs in November.3 years ago
-
NAEP scores and "the science of reading" - *Sent to US News. They just informed me that they no longer publish letters to the editor. * *Re: “National reading emergency” November 12* *[https://www...4 years ago
-
2019 NAEP Scores: Achievement Gap or …? - Here you go: A ‘Disturbing’ Assessment: Sagging Reading Scores, Particularly for Eighth-Graders, Headline 2019’s Disappointing NAEP Results NAEP 2019: Re...4 years ago
-
Glasgow High School In Middle Of Scandal With Fake IEP Meetings & Loss Of Funding - The quickest way to lose special education funding is to lie about holding IEP meetings. Such is the case with Glasgow High School in the Christina School...4 years ago
-
Cara Menang Bermain Judi Bola Online - Bermain judi bola online tentu saja memiliki kesenangannya tersendiri baik itu mendapatkan keuntungan maupun ketika menantikan hasil skor pada sebuah perta...4 years ago
-
What Cory Booker isn’t telling us about the Newark water crisis. - BY GUY STERLING Guy Sterling, a longtime resident of Newark and a member of the Newark Water Group, spent almost 30 years as reporter with The Star-Ledger ...4 years ago
-
A Storm is Coming! (…again) - A new Commissioner will have as much impact on our state ed system as a new meteorologist will have on … Continue reading →4 years ago
-
JerseyCAN Can't Hide From Opioids Crisis Billionaire Founder - [image: Image result for jerseycan] NJ Spotlight needs to stop giving space to billionaire-backed corporate reform groups like JerseyCAN. JerseyCAN does n...4 years ago
-
Déjà vu: 2019 ELA Assessment: Dear Board of Regents - Dear Board of Regents, I have copied below an email I sent to you almost a year ago, after the 2018 ELA assessment's computer-based testing failures and mo...4 years ago
-
-
This Week in Education Organizing - February 15, 2019 - Coalition for Education Justice to Release Report on CRE Eighty-five percent of public school students in New York City are Black, Latinx, or Asian and y...4 years ago
-
Black Lives Matter at Schools National week of Action: Feb 4 - Feb 8 - Join the National Week of Actions for Black Lives Matter at Schools. Starting Monday, February 4th educators in cities across the country will draw closer...4 years ago
-
Judi Togel - Permainan Judi Togel Online Mudah Dijalankan Di Indonesia Permainan judi online Indonesia terpercaya kini memang menjadi salah satu tempat bermain game yan...5 years ago
-
13 Things I Learned While Blogging for Education Week - This is the 500th blog I've written as the Teacher in a Strange Land, for Education Week Teacher. As it turns out, it's also my final blog for EdWeek. Here...5 years ago
-
Blockchain: Life on the Ledger - Originally posted on Wrench in the Gears: I created this video as a follow up to the one I prepared last year on Social Impact Bonds. It is time to examine...5 years ago
-
New York Times piece on '68 Democratic Convention Protest - ‘The Whole World Is Watching’: The 1968 Democratic Convention, 50 Years Later On Aug. 28, 1968, violent clashes in Chicago between demonstrators and the ...5 years ago
-
My Letter to the NYS Board of Regents and Commissioner Elia Regarding ESSA Opt Out Provisions - commissioner@nysed.gov Regent.cashin@nysed.gov ESSARegComment@nysed.gov Regent.Rosa@nysed.gov Regent.Reyes@nysed.gov Regent.Chin@nysed.gov Regent.Young@n...5 years ago
-
Corruption on Top of Corruption: How Rahm’s Response to Sexual Abuse of Students Reveals His Core Function - Rahm Emanuel’s response to the Chicago Tribune investigation that found CPS failed to protect hundreds of students from sexual abuse is cowardly. It is co...5 years ago
-
New Local Businesses in Sacramento - Starting a new local business in Sacramento is a monumental task, but can be accomplished with footwork, perseverance and knowledge. One must learn the loc...5 years ago
-
3rd Grade Reading: Who is Failing? - Education Trust Midwest has just released its study on third grade reading and, predictably, the results aren’t great. This study uniquely compares Michiga...5 years ago
-
Why Poetry? Why Now? – a poem from Linda Christensen and an invitation - My dear friend Dr. James Avington Miller Jr. sent me a phenomenal book on poetry called Rhythm and Resistance – Teaching Poetry for Social Justice. Here is...5 years ago
-
Opting out of the Dinosaur (end of year test) - Today I sent in a second letter to refuse PARCC/CMAS for my son, Luke. The first email I sent at the beginning of the year was not sufficient as they requi...5 years ago
-
Resurrection - I realized it's Lent, but this blog, bless Jesus Christ, can't wait. Ok, so with that said, I plan to discuss Class Action suits in existence, as well as w...5 years ago
-
Chicago Collegiate Charter School Must STOP Expansion Plans - So I did a little digging into Chicago Collegiate Charter Schools, the tiny school looking to expand into the empty Kohn Elementary School building. A sch...5 years ago
-
IDEA Is Still The Law Of The Land - Unless you've been living under a rock, you know the US Department of Education (USDOE) rescinded 72 Dear Colleague and other letters of explanation to ...5 years ago
-
Education Is a Civic Question - In their final post to end Bridging Differences' decade-long run, Deborah Meier and Harry Boyte urge readers to put the energy, talents, wisdom, and hard w...6 years ago
-
Education reform should come from within by Wendy Lecker - In her latest Stamford Advocate commentary piece, education advocate Wendy Lecker observes, Education reform should come from within. Wendy Lecker write...6 years ago
-
Site News: New Home for Education News & Commentary - 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...6 years ago
-
An Open Letter to NC Lawmakers - 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 ...6 years ago
-
CANCER IS BACK AND THIS TIME IT HURTS RIGHT OFF THE BAT! - APRIL IS STILL POETRY MONTH AND LIBRARY MONTH. MANY WONDERFUL THINGS TO CELEBRATE. But in the middle of the month I received some bad news about my ca...6 years ago
-
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My Next Bestseller) - The Secret to Fixing Schools (My next bestseller) Prologue I just finished watching a fascinating documentary on Netflix entitled, “The Secret”. The film p...6 years ago
-
Farewell, Sleep - 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...6 years ago
-
IBO REPORT: NYC Charter School Costs To Grow More Than Budgeted! - *New York City Charter School Costs To Grow More Than Budgeted!* Although the preliminary budget forecast of charter school enrollment is lower than project...6 years ago
-
Education Bloggers Daily Highlights 3/2/2017 - Education Bloggers Daily Highlights 3/1/2017 Education Bloggers Daily Highlights Courtesy of Big Education Ape A special thank you to education blogger Mik...6 years ago
-
Attitude Determines Altitude* (*conditions apply)… and the Importance of Humane District Themes - It has been a tumultuous few years in the South Brunswick community, specifically the South Brunswick School District. All you have to do is google the dis...6 years ago
-
Capturing the Spark - It’s been a long time since InterACT was an active education blog, though I remain quite proud of what we did here. Those of us who wrote blog posts here h...7 years ago
-
-
Prison Gerrymandering: Incarceration Weakens Vulnerable Voting Communities - One person equals one vote: seems simple enough. Unfortunately, that hasn’t worked out for many Americans throughout history, specifically women and peop...7 years ago
-
Random Musings and Observations. . . . - 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...7 years ago
-
-
WTU Peterson Slate: Not a 1 Woman Dictatorship - Candi Peterson & GeLynn Thompson Candidates for WTU Prez & GVP 2016By Candi Peterson, WTU Gen. Vice President *Statements or expressions of opinions herein...7 years ago
-
WHY SCHOOL START TIMES PLAY A HUGE ROLE IN KIDS’ SUCCESS - Teens are severely sleep-deprived. This needs to change. Rebecca Klein Editor, HuffPost Education| https://t.co/zInVJoy29W evgenyatamanenko via Getty Image...7 years ago
-
Feminism-in-Schools Featured at First International Girls’ Studies Association Conference - Leaders in the feminism-in-schools movement recently made history at the inaugural International Girls’ Studies Association (IGSA) conference when we were ...7 years ago
-
MY NEW BLOG - 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...7 years ago
-
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...7 years ago
-
GLSEN Massachusetts Educator Retreat - *GLSEN Massachusetts Educator Retreat* *SAVE-THE-DATEMarch 8-10, 2019 • Provincetown, MA* The GLSEN Massachusetts Educator Retreat in Provincetown is a s...8 years ago
-
I am Retiring - 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...8 years ago
-
Flaws at the Heart of Current Education Reforms - Originally posted on Creative by Nature: “Teaching is an art form rooted in the wise and careful use of educational research and assessment tools. When gove...8 years ago
-
Joanne Barkan: One of my favorite writers on #EdReform… - I’ve been going through some of my Twitter “favorites” and retweeting them. I thought I would pass on to you some information about one of my favorite writ...8 years ago
-
Pay Teachers Less to Improve School Efficiency - hmmm! - As I was reading through education news on several of the news sites I regularly visit, I came...9 years ago
-
Kimberly Olson, Broad Superintendents Academy Class of 2005 - Kimberly D. Olson, Colonel, USAF (retired), is currently the Executive Director of *Grace After Fire*, an online social support network for women veteran...12 years ago
-
-
-
-
Saturday, June 24, 2023
LAUSD BOARD PRESIDENT JACKIE GOLDBERG CALLED OUT ANTI-GAY EXTREMIST PROTESTERS IN VIRAL SPEECH #PrideMonth 🌈 #Pride2023 🌈 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech

BILLIONAIRE'S PRIVATE ARMIES - BILLIONAIRE'S CHARTER SCHOOLS: WHAT COULD GO WRONG
BILLIONAIRE'S PRIVATE ARMIES - BILLIONAIRE'S CHARTER SCHOOLS
WHAT COULD GO WRONG
Have you ever wondered what billionaires do with their money? Well, besides buying islands and gold-plated toilets, some of them have decided to invest in two of the most absurd industries in the world: private armies and charter schools.
Private armies are like the Avengers, but with less spandex and more guns. They are military or paramilitary forces that work for private individuals or organizations, rather than a nation or state. They provide security or combat services to clients who need them, whether they are governments, corporations, or rich people who want to feel like they're in a James Bond movie.
Charter schools are like regular schools, but with more hipsters and less funding. They are public schools that operate independently from traditional public schools. They offer different educational approaches and themes, such as science, technology, arts, language immersion, or Montessori. They operate in urban areas around the country, where they compete with or complement district schools.
What do these two industries have in common? Well, for one thing, they are both dominated by billionaires who see them as profitable ventures and social experiments. For example:
- - Erik Prince is the founder of Blackwater (now known as Academi), one of the most notorious private military companies in history. He is also the brother of Betsy DeVos, the former Secretary of Education and a staunch advocate of charter schools. Prince has been accused of human rights violations, war crimes, and corruption for his role in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has also proposed to privatize the war in Afghanistan by replacing U.S. troops with his mercenaries. He has also invested in charter schools in Michigan and North Carolina, where he has pushed for less regulation and more choice. Because nothing says "education" like a mercenary.
- - Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft and one of the richest people in the world. He is also the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the world. He has been a major supporter of charter schools and education reform initiatives, such as Common Core standards and teacher evaluations. He has also funded private military contractors to provide security for his foundation's projects in Africa and Asia. Because nothing says "philanthropy" like an army of mercenaries.
- - Elon Musk is the founder of Tesla and SpaceX and one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the world. He is also the founder of Ad Astra School, a secretive charter school that he created for his own children and a few others. The school has no grades, no tests, no homework, and no curriculum. Instead, it focuses on problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Musk has also hired private military contractors to protect his rocket launches and test sites. Because nothing says "innovation" like an army of mercenaries.
These are just some examples of how billionaires are using their wealth and power to shape the world according to their vision. They claim that they are doing this for the greater good of humanity, but critics argue that they are doing this for their own benefit and agenda. They question whether these billionaires have the right or the competence to interfere with matters of war and peace, life and death, education and democracy.
But let's be honest: billionaires' private armies and charter schools are a match made in heaven. After all, what could go wrong when you combine education and mercenaries? Here are some hilarious scenarios:
- - A charter school decides to teach its students how to shoot guns instead of math. The students become so good at it that they start their own private army and invade neighboring schools.
- - A private military company decides to offer "security services" to charter schools. The schools become so safe that they turn into prisons, complete with barbed wire, metal detectors, and armed guards.
- - A billionaire decides to create a charter school on Mars. The students become so isolated that they start their own civilization and declare independence from Earth.
- - A private military company decides to offer "educational services" to governments. The soldiers become so smart that they overthrow their clients and create their own states.
Okay, maybe these scenarios are not so hilarious after all. But they do highlight the absurdity of billionaires' private armies and charter schools. Instead of investing in real solutions to real problems, these billionaires are playing with fire and risking the lives and futures of millions of people.
So let's not be fooled by their rhetoric of choice, innovation, and philanthropy. Let's demand real accountability and transparency from them. Let's ask them why they think they know better than elected officials, educators, and experts. Let's remind them that democracy is not for sale, no matter how much money they have.
And if they still insist on playing God with our lives, let's pray that they hire better writers for their scripts than I did for this article.
THE DEFT DIVE
A charter school is a **public school** that operates as a school of choice and has greater autonomy than a traditional public school⁴. A private army is a **military or paramilitary force** that consists of armed combatants who owe their allegiance to a private person, group, or organization, rather than a nation or state⁶.
One possible way to compare a charter school to a private army is to consider the following aspects:
- - **Privatization of public services**: Both charter schools and private armies can be seen as forms of privatizing public services, such as education and security, that are traditionally provided by the state. Some may argue that this allows for more innovation, efficiency, and accountability, while others may contend that this undermines the public interest, quality, and equity of these services.
- - **Autonomy and accountability**: Both charter schools and private armies have more autonomy than their public counterparts, meaning they have more freedom to decide how to operate and what to offer. However, this also means they have less oversight and regulation from the state, which may raise questions about their accountability and transparency. For example, charter schools may not follow the same curriculum, standards, or assessments as other public schools, while private armies may not adhere to the same rules of engagement, human rights, or international law as national armed forces.
- - **Choice and competition**: Both charter schools and private armies operate as a school or force of choice, meaning they attract customers or clients who voluntarily choose them over other options. This may create a competitive market for public services, where different providers vie for resources, reputation, and influence. Some may view this as a positive force that drives improvement and responsiveness, while others may worry that this leads to fragmentation and inequality among different groups of beneficiaries or stakeholders.
Bing, 6/24/2023
(1) What is a Charter School | NCSRC - ed. https://charterschoolcenter.ed.gov/what-charter-school.
(2) Private army - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_army.
(3) Folsom Cordova Community Charter Homeschool / Homepage. https://www.fcusd.org/charter.
(4) Find a Charter School | CCSA. https://www.ccsa.org/find-a-school.
(5) Charter school - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_school.
(6) Charter school | Benefits, Types & Challenges | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/charter-school.
(7) Mercenaries and War: Understanding Private Armies Today. https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/Article/2031922/mercenaries-and-war-understanding-private-armies-today/.
(8) Army Private - Military Ranks. https://www.military-ranks.org/army/private.
Some examples of charter schools are:
- - **STEAM/STEM** charter schools that focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, such as Math & Science Prep¹.
- - **Project-based** charter schools that use design thinking and hands-on learning to engage students in real-world problems, such as High Tech High¹.
- - **Language immersion** charter schools that teach students in a foreign language for most of the day, such as Yu Ming Charter School¹.
- - **Place-based** charter schools that immerse students in learning by locating the school inside an inspiring environment, such as the Museum School¹.
- - **Montessori** charter schools that follow the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori, which emphasizes individualized learning, freedom of choice, and respect for children's natural development, such as Lumin Education¹.
Some examples of private armies are:
- - **The Wagner Group**, a private military company based in Russia that has been involved in conflicts in Syria, Libya, Ukraine, and other countries. It is allegedly linked to the Kremlin and Russian oligarchs⁷.
- - **Academi**, formerly known as Blackwater, a private security company based in the United States that has provided services to the U.S. government, the United Nations, and other clients in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. It has faced controversy and lawsuits over its conduct and accountability⁶.
- - **Aegis Defense Services**, a private security company based in the United Kingdom that has worked with the U.N., the U.S., and oil companies in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and other countries. It claims to adhere to high ethical standards and human rights principles⁶.
- - **Defion Internacional**, a private military company based in Peru that recruits thousands of fighters from developing countries, such as Colombia, Ecuador, and Nepal. It has provided security and combat services to clients in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and other countries⁶.
- - **The Kadyrovtsy**, a paramilitary force loyal to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. It has been accused of human rights violations, such as torture, kidnapping, and extrajudicial killings. It has also fought alongside Russian forces in Syria and Ukraine⁶.
Bing, 6/24/2023
(1) 6 types of Charter Schools Reinventing the Ways Kids Learn. https://info.ccsa.org/blog/6-types-of-public-schools-reinventing-the-ways-kids-learn.
(2) Mercenaries and War: Understanding Private Armies Today. https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/Article/2031922/mercenaries-and-war-understanding-private-armies-today/.
(3) A Look At The Largest Private Armies In The World - Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-most-powerful-mercenary-armies-2012-06.
(4) 2022 Best Charter High Schools in America - US News. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings/charter-school-rankings.
(5) Charter schools in the United States - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_schools_in_the_United_States.
(6) Everything you need to know about charter schools - Vox. https://www.vox.com/2014/4/30/18076968/charter-schools.
(7) Charter school - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_school.
(8) Private army - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_army.
(9) Private military company - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_military_company.
(10) 8 Private Mercenary Armies From History And Today That Had The Power To .... https://thoughtcatalog.com/daniel-hayes/2015/05/mercenary-armies/.
(11) Paramilitary - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramilitary.
Some ethical issues related to charter schools are:
- - **Equity and access**: Charter schools are supposed to be open to all students, regardless of their background, ability, or income. However, some charter schools may use selective admission criteria, such as test scores, interviews, or essays, to screen out low-performing or high-needs students. Some charter schools may also locate themselves in affluent or homogeneous neighborhoods, limiting the diversity and inclusion of their student body. Some charter schools may not provide adequate services or accommodations for students with disabilities, English language learners, or other special needs. These practices may create segregation and inequality within the public education system¹⁴.
- - **Accountability and transparency**: Charter schools are expected to be accountable to the public for their academic performance, financial management, and compliance with laws and regulations. However, some charter schools may evade or manipulate accountability measures, such as standardized tests, audits, or inspections, to inflate their results or hide their problems. Some charter schools may also lack transparency in their governance, operations, or outcomes, making it difficult for parents, taxpayers, or regulators to monitor their quality and effectiveness. Some charter schools may also engage in fraud, corruption, or mismanagement of public funds¹².
- - **Impact on district schools**: Charter schools are funded by diverting public money from district schools based on the number of students they enroll. This may create financial strain and instability for district schools, especially if they lose a large proportion of their students to charter schools. District schools may also face increased competition and pressure from charter schools, which may affect their morale, culture, or performance. District schools may also have to deal with the consequences of charter school closures, which may disrupt the education and well-being of students who have to return to district schools¹².
Some ethical issues related to private armies are:
- - **Legality and legitimacy**: Private armies operate in a legal gray zone that challenges the traditional norms and rules of war. Private armies may not be authorized or recognized by the states or international organizations that are involved in or affected by the conflicts they participate in. Private armies may also not abide by the laws of war, such as the Geneva Conventions or the International Criminal Court statutes, that regulate the conduct and responsibility of combatants. Private armies may also undermine the legitimacy and sovereignty of states that hire them or host them on their territory .
- - **Morality and motivation**: Private armies raise moral questions about the ethics of war and violence. Private armies are motivated by profit rather than patriotism or ideology, which may compromise their loyalty, commitment, or professionalism. Private armies may also lack moral constraints or scruples that would prevent them from committing atrocities, human rights violations, or war crimes. Private armies may also exploit or harm the local populations that they are supposed to protect or assist .
- - **Oversight and accountability**: Private armies are difficult to oversee and control by the states or organizations that hire them or host them. Private armies may act independently or autonomously from their employers or hosts, pursuing their own interests or agendas that may conflict with those of their clients or partners. Private armies may also evade or resist oversight or regulation by concealing their activities, identities, or affiliations. Private armies may also escape accountability or justice for their actions by fleeing the scene, changing their name, or claiming immunity .
Bing, 6/24/2023
(1) The 5 most serious charter school scandals in 2019 — and why they .... https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/01/27/5-most-serious-charter-school-scandals-2019-why-they-matter/.
(2) Ethical Issues Surrounding Charter Schools by Jessica Graydon - Prezi. https://prezi.com/kuhkl1lvugqm/ethical-issues-surrounding-charter-schools/.
(3) The Battle Over Charter Schools - Harvard Graduate School of Education. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/ed/17/05/battle-over-charter-schools.
(4) ABOUT - Ethical Schools. https://ethicalschools.org/about/.
Charter schools and private armies affect the role of the state in different ways:
- - **Charter schools** may challenge the state's role as the primary provider and regulator of public education. Charter schools may create more diversity and competition within the public education system, which may force the state to adapt and improve its policies and practices. Charter schools may also create more choice and empowerment for parents and students, which may increase their satisfaction and engagement with public education. However, charter schools may also undermine the state's role as the guarantor of quality and equity in public education. Charter schools may operate with less oversight and accountability from the state, which may compromise their standards and outcomes. Charter schools may also divert resources and students from district schools, which may weaken the state's capacity and responsibility to serve all students¹²³.
- - **Private armies** may challenge the state's role as the sole legitimate user of force and violence. Private armies may provide more flexibility and efficiency for the state in conducting its security and defense operations, especially in complex and unstable environments. Private armies may also provide more expertise and innovation for the state in addressing new and emerging threats, such as terrorism or cyberattacks. However, private armies may also undermine the state's role as the protector of human rights and international law. Private armies may operate with less oversight and accountability from the state, which may increase their risk of committing abuses or crimes. Private armies may also act independently or against the state's interests, which may threaten the state's sovereignty and legitimacy .
Bing, 6/24/2023
(1) The Role of Charter Schools in Improving Education | RAND. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9428.html.
(2) What are charter schools and do they deliver? - Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/policy2020/votervital/what-are-charter-schools-and-do-they-deliver/.
(3) What Are Charter Schools? An Overview for Teachers and Parents. https://www.weareteachers.com/what-are-charter-schools/.
(4) Charter schools in the United States - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_schools_in_the_United_States.
Private armies were not outlawed by the Declaration of Paris in 1856. The Declaration of Paris was an international agreement that abolished **privateering**, which is a different practice from private military contracting. Privateering was a form of naval warfare whereby a state authorized private ships to attack and capture enemy vessels and goods, usually for a share of the spoils. Privateering was common in the 17th and 18th centuries, especially among European powers¹⁴.
The Declaration of Paris was signed by most of the major maritime powers at the end of the Crimean War, with the exception of the United States, Spain, Mexico, and some South American countries. The United States refused to sign the Declaration because it feared that it would weaken its ability to fight a future war against European powers by limiting the opportunities for U.S. seamen to man and operate privateers. This was a tactic historically used by the weaker United States against British naval supremacy in its Revolution and the War of 1812¹⁴.
Private military contracting, on the other hand, is a form of land warfare whereby a state or a non-state actor hires private individuals or companies to provide security or combat services, usually for a fee or a contract. Private military contracting is a more recent phenomenon that emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, especially in the aftermath of the Cold War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Private military contracting is not regulated by any international agreement, although some attempts have been made to establish norms and standards for this industry²³.
Bing, 6/24/2023
(1) Blockade, Privateering, and the 1856 Declaration of Paris. https://emergingcivilwar.com/2022/05/06/blockade-privateering-and-the-1856-declaration-of-paris/.
(2) Paris Declaration Respecting Maritime Law - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Declaration_Respecting_Maritime_Law.
(3) The Avalon Project : Laws of War : Declaration of Paris; April 16, 1856.. https://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/decparis.asp.
(4) Mercenaries and War: Understanding Private Armies Today. https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/Article/2031922/mercenaries-and-war-understanding-private-armies-today/.
Big Education Ape: The New American Privateers: Privatization for Profit https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-new-american-privateers.html
TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 6-24-23 #PrideMonth 🌈 #Pride2023 🌈 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech
TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 6-24-23
Big Education Ape: TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 6-17-23 #PrideMonth 🌈 #Pride2023 🌈 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/top-banana-top-reads-this-week-6-17-23.html
Big Education Ape: WHY POOR KIDS GET SH*TY SCHOOLS AND/OR WHY ARE PROPERTY TAXES ARE THE ULTIMATE SOURCE FOR FUNDING PUBLIC EDUCATION https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/why-poor-kids-get-shty-schools-andor.html
Big Education Ape: MAGA ATTEMPTS TO MURDER ACADEMIC FREEDOM IN OHIO https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/maga-attempts-to-murder-academic.html
Big Education Ape: NEOLIBERALISM: THE FANCY WORD FOR THE FANCY PROBLEM THAT SCREWED US ALL https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/neoliberalism-fancy-word-for-fancy.html
Big Education Ape: WISCONSIN'S VOUCHER VORTEX: SUCKING PUBLIC FUNDS UNDERMINING PUBLIC EDUCATION https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/wisconsins-voucher-vortex-sucking.html
Big Education Ape: TWEEDLE DEE AND TWEEDLE DUMBER: ABBOTT OR DUHSANTIS WHICH IS TRUMPIER https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/tweedle-dee-and-tweedle-dumber-abbott.html
Big Education Ape: CLASSICAL EDUCATION OR CRASSICAL EDUCATION https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/classical-education-or-crassical.html
Big Education Ape: THE GREED AGENDA: ONE MORE WAY BILLIONAIRES ARE SCREWING AMERICANS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-greed-agenda-one-more-way.html
Big Education Ape: ALL GOOD IN MAGALAND: MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE CALLS BOEBERT A 'LITTLE BITCH' ON THE HOUSE FLOOR https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/all-good-in-magaland-marjorie-taylor.html
Big Education Ape: SUPREME COURT BADBOY OG'S SAY ETHICS SUCK https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/supreme-court-badboy-ogs-say-ethics-suck.html
🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈
JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH
LETS ALL CELEBRATE AND HAVE SOME FUN
🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈
OTHER GREAT READS THIS WEEK FROM THE BIG EDUCATION APE