Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-30-25
Thomas Edsall: What Scholars Say About Trump's Reign of Error and Chaos https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/29/thomas-edsall-what-scholars-say-about-trumps-reign-of-error-and-chaos/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Thomas Edsall examines the widespread damage attributed to Trump’s presidency, including attacks on law, education, public health, and democracy.
- Scholars describe Trump as intentionally destructive, with actions that could permanently weaken institutions and expertise.
- Cuts to medical research funding and public health infrastructure are highlighted as particularly harmful.
- Experts debate whether Trump’s agenda was chaos-driven or aligned with conservative elites' systemic goals.
- Trump’s presidency is compared to historical figures like Andrew Johnson, emphasizing its unprecedented destructiveness.
- Damage to U.S. international alliances and the nation’s reputation for rule of law is seen as a lasting consequence.
Teachers! New York City Is Hiring to Reduce Class Sizes! https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/29/teachers-new-york-city-is-hiring-to-reduce-class-sizes/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- New York City is reducing class sizes to comply with the state’s 2022 class size law, which mandates caps of 20-25 students per class depending on grade level.
- The city is hiring 3,700 new teachers and spending $400 million to meet these requirements, using state and city funds.
- Additional measures include hiring assistant principals and converting spaces into classrooms to accommodate the changes.
- This reform is supported by research indicating that smaller class sizes benefit students and reduce discipline issues.
Peter Greene: The Perverse Incentives of School Choice https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/29/peter-greene-the-perverse-incentives-of-school-choice/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- School choice movement prioritizes "choice" over quality, often leading to substandard private schools focused on profit rather than education.
- Voucher schools emphasize marketing and enrollment rather than ensuring educational quality, exploiting public funds.
- Unlike quick reputation-building in food markets, schools require years to establish credibility, which incentivizes short-term marketing over long-term outcomes.
- Better private schools often exclude voucher students to protect their reputation, leaving subpar schools as the primary beneficiaries of the system.
- Charter schools also face similar issues, with significant taxpayer money wasted on fraud or failures, unlike public schools, which are service-oriented.
- The free-market model in education fosters profit-driven motives, undermining the purpose of education to serve and uplift society.
Big Education Ape: WHEN CAMELS, DIXIECRATS AND ROCKEFELLER REPUBLICANS GOT COZY IN THE DEMOCRATIC TENT https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/05/when-camels-dixiecrats-and-rockefeller.html
### Key Points
- The Rockefeller Republicans were moderate, socially liberal, and fiscally responsible politicians within the Republican Party, who became marginalized after Barry Goldwater's conservative revolution in 1964.
- As the GOP became more conservative, Rockefeller Republicans found a new home among centrist Democrats, forming a center-right coalition within the Democratic Party.
- The Democratic Party today is divided into factions: Progressive Left, Establishment Liberals, Democratic Mainstays, and Outsider Left, with Establishment Liberals leading but struggling to balance various interests.
- The article suggests that Democrats might benefit from embracing their progressive wing more fully, as bold messaging often wins elections over compromise.
Big Education Ape: Send in the Clowns: The Democratic Circus https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/05/send-in-clowns-democratic-circus.html
### Key Points
- The Democratic Party is described as a "big tent" with four main factions: Progressive Left, Establishment Liberals, Democratic Mainstays, and Outsider Left, each with distinct priorities and challenges.
- A "shadow Cabinet" concept is proposed as a bold strategy for Democrats to counter Republican policies, featuring notable figures like Jon Stewart and Bill Nye in hypothetical roles.
- The party faces an identity crisis, torn between neo-liberal establishment figures and progressive advocates, which often leads to internal conflicts and inefficiency.
- Republicans, despite internal chaos, excel in messaging and rallying their base, while Democrats struggle with clear communication and bold action.
- Democrats frequently fail to capitalize on their popular policy positions due to a focus on appealing to non-existent center-right voters, leading to missed electoral opportunities.
Is Elon Musk the Reincarnation of Howard Hughes? https://open.substack.com/pub/ru4people/p/is-elon-musk-the-reincarnation-of?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- The article explores a humorous theory comparing Elon Musk to Howard Hughes, suggesting Musk could be Hughes reincarnated due to their eccentricities, genius, and defiance of societal norms.
- Howard Hughes, a 20th-century billionaire aviator and filmmaker, was known for his bizarre behavior, such as locking himself in a hotel for months, while Musk exhibits similar quirks, like selling flamethrowers and naming his child X Æ A-12.
- Both men are innovators who built groundbreaking machines, with Hughes focusing on airplanes and Musk on rockets and electric vehicles, showcasing their shared obsession with pushing boundaries.
- The theory playfully suggests Hughes’ spirit reincarnated as Musk to continue his legacy of chaos and creativity, with parallels drawn between their bold projects and unconventional lifestyles.
- The article also humorously speculates that Musk’s interest in AI could be Hughes’ way of ensuring immortality through technology, adding to the conspiracy theory’s charm.
- While skeptics dismiss the reincarnation theory, the article concludes by emphasizing the uncanny similarities between the two billionaires and their shared ability to confuse and inspire the world.
glen brown: Prepare yourself for several years of killer heat, top weather forecasters warn https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/05/prepare-yourself-for-several-years-of.html
### Key Points
- Global warming is projected to break records in the next five years, with an 80% chance of exceeding the annual temperature threshold and a possibility of surpassing the Paris climate accord goal.
- Extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, droughts, and wildfires will intensify due to rising global temperatures.
- Arctic ice melting and sea level rise will accelerate, exacerbated by El Niño cycles.
- The blog critiques political figures, including Donald Trump, and highlights issues such as social justice, healthcare, and public pensions.
- The writer emphasizes the moral responsibility of resisting oppression and maintaining intellectual independence.
“Hold the Line”: Maria Ressa, Trump, and the Authoritarian Assault on Truth—from the Newsroom to the Classroom https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/05/29/hold-the-line-maria-ressa-trump-and-the-authoritarian-assault-on-truth-from-the-newsroom-to-the-classroom/
### Key Points
- Maria Ressa, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has faced persecution for her commitment to truth, warning against authoritarianism and urging action to defend rights.
- Authoritarian tactics, such as delegitimizing the press and silencing dissent, are being mirrored in attacks on education, including censorship and ideological control in classrooms.
- Examples of authoritarian suppression in the U.S. include banning books, rewriting history standards, dismantling DEI programs, and silencing educators under the guise of "parental rights" and "patriotism."
- These actions align with a global authoritarian playbook seen in countries like Hungary, India, Turkey, and the Philippines, where truth and dissent are systematically targeted.
- Truth, whether in journalism or education, is a threat to authoritarian regimes that rely on fear and lies. Democracy depends on an informed public and the protection of press and education freedoms.
- Maria Ressa’s fight exemplifies the need to resist authoritarianism through courage, community, and persistence in speaking truth and defending democratic values.
- The current moment is critical for mobilizing against authoritarian efforts to control narratives, as it may be the last opportunity to act before power is fully consolidated.
Episode #129: More Beautiful, More Terrible – Teaching Truth with Jesse Hagopian https://billayers.org/2025/05/29/episode-129-please-read-rate-repost/
- The podcast episode discusses the duality of American history, highlighting both its achievements and its dark legacy, such as genocide, slavery, and systemic violence, alongside the contributions of freedom fighters like Harriet Tubman and Malcolm X.
- Jesse Hagopian, an educator and author of "Teach Truth: The Struggle for Antiracist Education," joins the discussion to emphasize the importance of confronting historical truths to achieve freedom and justice.
- The episode references influential quotes from figures like James Baldwin and Audre Lorde, stressing the need for collective responsibility and joy in imagining a better future.
- Resources for further exploration include books by Jesse Hagopian, such as "Teaching for Black Lives" and "More Than a Score," as well as additional readings on antiracist education and historical activism.
Schools Matter: All Bad Things Must Come to an End, Too http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/05/all-bad-thing-must-come-to-end-too.html
### Key Points
- A federal court halted illegal tariffs, demanding repayment of funds collected under this scheme.
- Elon Musk exits Washington after failed political and business efforts, leaving behind significant damage to federal institutions and global aid programs.
- Criticism of Musk’s actions, including his role in dismantling USAID and its humanitarian consequences.
- Broader commentary on political and economic challenges, including the influence of Project 2025.
Teacher Tom: Allowing Ourselves to Be Awed https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/05/allowing-ourselves-to-be-awed.html
### Key Points
- Teacher Tom recounts observing coyotes and ravens, reflecting on their behaviors and the natural cycle of life.
- He speculates on animal behavior and contrasts it with human tendencies, emphasizing nature's balance and purpose.
- Drawing on naturalist thinkers like Krutch, Thoreau, and Leopold, he discusses the importance of awe, emotion, and beauty in understanding nature.
- He critiques modern consumerism and education systems for severing connections with nature and fostering emptiness.
- Teacher Tom advocates for play-based learning and connecting children with nature to cultivate gratitude, contentment, and fullness.
Education Research Report: Helping college students understand why mathematics classes matter https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/05/helping-college-students-understand-why.html
### Key Points
- West Virginia University researchers are transforming college mathematics teaching through interdisciplinary collaboration to make mathematics relevant across disciplines like business and biology.
- The SUMMIT-P model (Synergistic Undergraduate Mathematics via Multi-institutional Interdisciplinary Teaching Partnerships) reinforces mathematics concepts in various classrooms through faculty partnerships.
- SUMMIT-P was developed after identifying common mathematical needs across 22 disciplines, emphasizing practical application and interdisciplinary thinking.
- The model has been successfully implemented at about 15 institutions, with examples including applying algebra to social work budgets, calculus to chemistry, and polynomials to engineering.
- Over 170 faculty from 40+ institutions have adopted SUMMIT-P, impacting around 90,000 undergraduates and helping students see connections between mathematics and other disciplines.
- Researchers aim to identify key criteria for successful implementation and sustainability of SUMMIT-P across diverse institutions.
- Faculty attitudes toward mathematics in curricula have shifted, with collaborative efforts fostering transformation and support for better student outcomes.
Education Research Report: Early-life low lead levels = poor academic achievement in childhood and adolescence https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/05/early-life-low-lead-levels-poor.html
Education Research Report: Early-life Low Lead Levels and Academic Achievement
### Key Points
- A cohort study found that even low levels of lead exposure in early life, currently considered safe, are linked to poorer academic performance in childhood and adolescence.
- A 1-unit increase in low lead levels was associated with academic outcomes similar to those observed at higher lead levels that currently warrant intervention.
- The findings suggest the need to reconsider and possibly lower the blood lead reference values for intervention recommendations.
Education Research Report: Early college programs ihad a positive impact on college enrollment two years after high school https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/05/early-college-programs-ihad-positive.html
Education Research Report: Early College Programs in Rhode Island
### Key Points
- Rhode Island has invested in early college programs (dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, and Advanced Placement) to boost college degree attainment.
- These programs had a statistically significant positive effect on college enrollment within one year and two years after high school graduation.
- The annual per-pupil costs for these programs in 2017/18 ranged from $900 to $6,400, with the highest costs associated with dual enrollment due to its support for historically underserved students.
- Findings can guide Rhode Island policymakers in expanding early college opportunities and inform nationwide decisions on similar initiatives.
CURMUDGUCATION: AI Is Not A Calculator https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/05/ai-is-not-calculator.html
### Key Points
- AI is not reliable; it generates different responses to the same prompt, unlike a calculator, which consistently provides the same accurate result.
- AI often produces incorrect information, and its errors should not be anthropomorphized as "hallucinations." These inaccuracies occur through the same processes that generate correct information.
- Calculators are unbiased and factual, while AI can reflect and amplify biases programmed into it, making it less objective.
- Calculators assist in performing operations without replacing the need for critical thinking, whereas AI risks discouraging independent thought by offering pre-generated answers.
David Labaree on Schooling, History, and Writing: Schools Should Focus on Producing More Hustlers Than Scholars | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/hustlers
### Key Points
- The film "2 Million Minutes" compares high school students in Bangalore, Shanghai, and Carmel, Indiana, highlighting differences in educational focus and outcomes.
- American students are portrayed as focusing more on extracurricular activities than academics, which is seen as a disadvantage in a globally competitive environment.
- David Labaree argues that American education's emphasis on a broader experience may be beneficial, fostering skills like adaptability and entrepreneurship.
- The documentary suggests that Indian and Chinese education systems align better with the demands of the 21st-century global economy.
- Labaree questions the necessity of intense academic focus, suggesting that it might not translate into better societal outcomes.
- The film does not make direct pedagogical comparisons but highlights cultural differences in educational priorities.
- The article discusses the potential benefits of the American "contest mobility" system over the Asian "sponsored mobility" system.
SUN Bucks 2025 Implementation Webinar - 6/5/2025 - Nutrition (CA Dept of Education) https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sunbucksimplementation.asp
### Key Points
- California Department of Education will host a webinar on SUN Bucks 2025 Implementation on June 5, 2025, covering eligibility, applications, verification, funding, and data sharing.
- Registration for the webinar is free, with confirmation and reminder emails sent to attendees.
- Attendees are encouraged to test their Zoom setup and may join by phone if technical difficulties arise.
- Contact information for questions about SUN Bucks is provided: SummerEBT@cde.ca.gov and 800-952-5609.
- SUN Bucks program resources include background, eligibility criteria, best practices, and FAQs.
- Recent updates in nutrition programs include recalls, crediting guidelines for tofu and soy yogurt, and meal pattern documentation.
- USDA approved a waiver for non-SFA SFSP operators to use the OVS meal service option.
Hormel Foods Corporation Recalls Beef Stew - Nutrition (CA Dept of Education) https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/hormelrecallsbeestew.asp
- Hormel Foods Corporation recalled approximately 256,185 pounds of canned beef stew due to possible contamination with wood.
- The product subject to recall is “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” in 20-oz. metal cans, produced on February 4, 2025, with “BEST BY FEB 2028” and lot code “T02045.”
- The affected cans bear establishment number “EST 199G” and were distributed nationwide.
- Consumers and food program operators are advised to dispose of or return the affected products and contact Hormel Foods Corporation for more information.
- Additional questions can be directed to the California Department of Education’s Nutrition Services Division.
Bad, Ugly, Hopeful | JD2718 https://jd2718.org/2025/05/29/bad-ugly-hopeful/
### Key Points
- The 2025 UFT elections were marked by intense debates, rule-breaking, and unprecedented levels of hostility, particularly from the Unity Caucus.
- Unity Caucus ran a more aggressive campaign, with accusations of unethical behavior like abuse of authority, divisive resolutions, and inflammatory rhetoric.
- ARISE coalition, including Retiree Advocate and other groups, focused on positive campaigning, raising important union issues, and fostering collaboration.
- The article criticizes the Unity Caucus for aligning with conservative politics and tolerating anti-immigrant sentiments among its supporters.
St. Tammany (LA) Teacher Raise Approved– After 2-1/2 Hours and One Chief Sticking Point. | deutsch29: Mercedes Schneider's Blog https://deutsch29.wordpress.com/2025/05/29/st-tammany-la-teacher-raise-approved-after-2-1-2-hours-and-one-chief-sticking-point/
### Key Points
- St. Tammany Parish School Board approved an MOU granting raises and supplemental pay for overtime duties.
- A sticking point involved $15/hour pay for duties exceeding 90 minutes weekly, with concerns over tracking and potential costs.
- Legal counsel advised approval to avoid defaulting to state law, which could require higher pay rates.
- The board voted 10-0 to approve the MOU, with plans to revisit the issue in September 2025.
An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and Almost Everything Else: Ravitch, Diane: 9780231220293: Amazon.com: Books https://www.amazon.com/Education-Changed-Schools-Almost-Everything/dp/0231220294/ref=sr_1_1?
This article discusses Diane Ravitch's upcoming memoir, "An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and Almost Everything Else," set to be released on October 21, 2025. Ravitch, a historian and former conservative education reform advocate, recounts her ideological shift from supporting standardized testing and privatization to advocating for public schools and addressing systemic inequality in education. The book blends personal reflections with decades of research, making a compelling case for greater investment in public education.
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch's memoir explores her ideological transformation from a proponent of conservative education reforms to a critic of privatization and standardized testing.
- The book highlights her belief that poverty, not failing schools or bad teachers, is the root cause of educational inequality.
- Ravitch shares her personal and professional journey, including her government service and advocacy for public schools.
- The memoir combines personal anecdotes with research to argue for systemic changes in education, including better support for professional teachers.
- Published by Columbia University Press, the book is 240 pages long and will be available in multiple formats.
Big Education Ape: WE DON'T DO KINGS: NATIONWIDE PROTESTS TO RAIN ON TRUMP'S $45M BIRTHDAY MILITARY PARADE #NoKingsDay #DefendDemocracy #AmericaStrong https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/05/we-dont-do-kings-nationwide-protests-to.html
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-29-25
The article is a collection of various blog posts and discussions covering topics such as education reforms, political critiques, societal challenges, and activism. It highlights issues related to the Trump administration's policies, public education advocacy, literacy initiatives, privacy concerns, and broader political and social matters.
### Key Points
- Trump threatens to withdraw $3 billion in federal research grants from Harvard and allocate them to trade schools, citing grievances against the university. Critics argue his actions are vindictive and undermine academic freedom.
- The U.S. Navy initially removed 381 books related to diversity, equity, and inclusion but later restored most after a Pentagon review.
- Maurice Cunningham critiques the Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) for aligning with right-wing policies and MAGA ideologies, abandoning its original Democratic values.
- The Trump administration suffered a high loss rate in federal courts, with bipartisan rulings against its actions. Authoritarian patterns are noted, with calls for civil society to defend democracy.
- The Democratic Party faces internal divisions and an identity crisis, impacting its ability to unify and present a cohesive vision. A "shadow Cabinet" is proposed as a strategy to challenge Republican policies.
- A humorous exploration of a conspiracy theory suggests Elon Musk might be the reincarnation of Howard Hughes, drawing parallels between their eccentricities and innovative tendencies.
- The ABC group in the United Federation of Teachers election faces challenges and uncertainties, emphasizing the need for member-driven leadership.
- Courageous leaders from marginalized communities face retaliation when challenging the status quo in educational institutions.
- The article critiques the schooling system for prioritizing standardized testing over students’ needs and advocates for play-based, self-directed learning.
- Seattle Public Schools faces a long-term structural deficit despite balancing its 2025-2026 budget. Concerns persist about transparency and spending priorities.
- The "science of reading" movement is critiqued, urging administrators to reconsider its implications and effectiveness.
- Wealth inequality in the U.S. is linked to the unchecked accumulation of wealth by billionaires, destabilizing democracy and widening economic disparities.
- Donald Trump's speeches use dehumanizing language against political opponents, with parallels drawn to historical instances of persecution.
- Ohio's voucher system is criticized for disproportionately benefiting wealthier families and undermining public school funding.
- School voucher programs in Southern states are linked to segregation academies, raising concerns about racial and economic disparities.
- Diane Ravitch's memoir explores her ideological transformation from supporting conservative education reforms to advocating for public schools.
