Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
6-2-25
Pope Leo Will Send a Video Message to Chicago Mass on Same Day as Trump's Parade https://dianeravitch.net/2025/06/01/pope-will-send-a-video-message-to-chicago-mass-on-same-day-as-trumps-parade/ via @dianeravitch
- Pope Leo plans to send a video message to a Mass in Chicago, potentially addressing a million people, on the same day as Trump’s expensive military parade celebrating his birthday.
- The blog post highlights the contrasting values of Pope Leo, who emphasizes love, compassion, and care for the vulnerable, versus those attributed to “Republican Jesus,” which prioritize wealth and exclusion.
- Comments on the blog reflect differing opinions about Pope Leo’s stances, with some supporting his humanity and others critiquing his adherence to traditional Catholic teachings.
- The post implies admiration for Pope Leo’s alignment with Biblical values and his divergence from MAGA-related ideologies.
CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Summer Launch Edition (6/1) https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/06/icymi-summer-launch-edition-61.html
### Key Points
- Summer vacation begins for some, with a curated list of education-related readings.
- Updates on Penny Schwinn, a controversial figure moving to a federal role.
- Teachers are reminded of the importance of learning from students.
- Criticism of strict phone policies in schools and their outcomes.
- Controversy in Brevard Schools over chosen name usage without permission.
- AI's potential role in education is discussed, with skepticism about its "miracle" claims.
- Georgia high school cancels "The Crucible" due to complaints of demonic themes.
- A college student pleads guilty to hacking PowerSchool and extortion.
- Pennsylvania's unfinished cybercharter school reform is revisited.
- Declining Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) seek relevance in the MAGA era.
- The state of California's charter school movement is analyzed.
- A critique of weak educational leadership and its impact on schools.
- Concerns raised about the "Science of Reading" and its direction.
- Reflection on past predictions about MOOCs and their failure to disrupt universities.
- Fresno superintendent faces backlash for using AI-generated data in union accusations.
- Criticism of AI's use in policy reports, highlighting inaccuracies.
- Voucher language in legislation is criticized as harmful to education.
- Updates on a new season of "Phineas and Ferb" and a newsletter invitation.
- Commentary on the lack of a teacher shortage and other education myths.
- Exploration of social and emotional learning's role in schools.
- Discussion on the negative effects of school vouchers and privatization.
CURMUDGUCATION: The Trouble With Public-Private Partnerships https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-trouble-with-public-private.html
### Key Points
- The McKeesport School District partnered with Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation in 2021, receiving $13 million in funding for facilities and programs.
- The partnership ended due to conflicts with district leadership, as Dick’s sought greater influence in decision-making, which the school board resisted.
- The author raises concerns about private corporations exerting control over public schools, arguing this undermines democratic processes and community autonomy.
- Dick’s remains open to future partnerships under new leadership, making their funding a potential election issue in the district.
glen brown: Ants and Their Unified Purpose https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/06/ants-and-their-unified-purpose.html
### Key Points
- The story of ants forming a living pyramid to survive demonstrates their selflessness and unity, contrasting with human tendencies towards individualism and indifference.
- The author's emotional journey moves from condemnation of the ants to admiration for their discipline, sacrifice, and mutual aid, ultimately leading to self-reflection and critique of human behavior.
- The anecdote serves as a broader metaphor for humanity's need to prioritize unity and compassion over selfish pursuits.
- The blog incorporates additional musings on justice, social issues, and reflections on writing and resistance, interspersed with various personal and societal critiques.
Tell Congress: Don’t Let Linda McMahon Slash Funding for Children, College Students, and Veterans to Fund School Choice. - Network For Public Education https://networkforpubliceducation.org/tell-congress-dont-let-linda-mcmahon-slash-funding-for-children-college-students-and-veterans-to-fund-school-choice/
- Linda McMahon, appointed by Donald Trump, has proposed the most severe education budget cuts in U.S. history, eliminating $8.5 billion across 28 programs and consolidating 18 programs into a $2 billion block grant.
- States are prohibited from using the block grant to fund critical programs such as aid for migrant children, English Language Acquisition grants, community schools, teacher effectiveness initiatives, and services for students with disabilities.
- Higher education programs face drastic cuts, including a $1,400 reduction in Pell Grants, an 80% cut to Federal Work-Study, elimination of TRIO programs, and defunding of campus childcare programs.
- $1.67 billion in student college assistance has been eliminated, while funding for federal Charter Schools increased to $500 million. A $5 billion private school voucher scheme is being pushed through Congress under the Educational Choice for Children Act.
- The proposed budget is described as an attack on public education, aiming to privatize and undermine opportunities for children in America. Advocacy efforts are encouraged to oppose these measures.
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools, Week of June 2-6, 2025 https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2025/06/seattle-schools-week-of-june-2-6-2025.html?spref=tw
### Key Points
- The Board will hold an Executive Session on June 2nd to discuss legal matters and a public hearing on the 2025-2026 Budget on June 4th.
- An internal audit at Ballard High School highlighted concerns about improper handling of student records, recommending stricter file management practices.
- Approval of an Interlock Agreement with the City of Seattle for Memorial Stadium redevelopment, including revenue-sharing terms and youth education initiatives.
- Introduction of budget resolutions, a school lunch price increase, and numerous policy changes, including adjustments to public testimony rules and safety policies.
- Safety concerns from Garfield High School's student survey included poor lighting, vaping, and fights, with suggestions for better monitoring near bathrooms.
- The Board plans a retreat on June 7th, with no agenda available yet.
Chall’s Missing STAGES OF READING DEVELOPMENT in the Science of Reading - Nancy Bailey's Education Website https://nancyebailey.com/2025/06/01/challs-missing-stages-of-reading-development-in-the-science-of-reading/
Nancy Bailey's Education Website Revive, Rally and Recover Public Schools Activism School Curriculum Other Countries Chall’s Missing STAGES OF READING DEVELOPMENT in the Science of Reading June 1, 2025 By Nancy Bailey Leave a Comment Post Views: 19 In a sense, each teacher adds by putting a brick upon another brick in a child’s reading development. And together all build a great structure. ~Jeanne S. Chall, Stages of Reading Development (1983, p. 169) Searching the so-called Science of Reading (SoR) research, one may spot citations from the late Harvard reading Professor Jeanne Chall. Her book, Learning to Read: The Great Debate, examined reading research from 1910 to 1965, showing the importance of phonics, especially for children with reading difficulties and the poor. It became a lightning rod involving debate between the phonics/whole language camps (Rothman, 1990). Today, while
### Key Points
- Jeanne Chall's work highlighted the importance of phonics but also emphasized developmental stages in reading, contrasting with the current push for early reading in kindergarten.
- Chall's "Stages of Reading Development" suggests formal phonics instruction begins in first grade, not earlier, aligning more with Finland's educational practices.
- Early reading studies by Chall and others show that children develop reading skills at different rates, and pressuring them to read early can hinder natural development.
- Chall's Stage 0 (Prereading) focuses on foundational skills like listening, memory, and language development, rather than direct phonics instruction.
- Chall advocated for enjoyable, developmentally appropriate early learning experiences and criticized the rigid standardization of reading expectations.
- She emphasized the importance of excellent teachers, individualized progress, and diverse reading methods beyond phonics.
- Chall believed children learn to read at their own pace, and standardized tests should not dictate their progress. She stressed the need for reading specialists and flexible teaching approaches.
- Revisiting Chall's developmental reading stages and theories could improve current practices and reduce unnecessary pressure on young learners.
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!
5-31-25
The article is a compilation of various educational, political, and social topics, including critiques of policies, reform initiatives, societal challenges, and reflections on democracy, education, and climate change. It features discussions on Trump’s presidency, school voucher systems, class size reduction in NYC schools, climate change impacts, and Diane Ravitch's ideological transformation in her upcoming memoir.
### Key Points
- The Trump administration inflicted chaos on prestigious U.S. science agencies through layoffs, budget cuts, and political interference, undermining research and morale.
- Right-wing media exaggerated claims about Biden’s mental state, contrasting his achievements with Trump’s erratic presidency.
- A Venezuelan high school student, Dylan, was detained by ICE despite entering the U.S. legally, sparking protests and legal battles.
- A federal judge restored the visa of a Russian scientist detained for minor customs violations, raising concerns about academic freedom.
- The article critiques systemic failures under Trump, emphasizing the need for reforms to uphold democracy and combat inequality.
- Ted Cruz proposed a federal voucher program and investment accounts for newborns, but critics questioned their effectiveness and equity.
- Diane Ravitch’s memoir outlines her shift from supporting privatization to advocating for public education and addressing systemic inequality.
- NYC schools are reducing class sizes by hiring 3,700 teachers and investing $400 million, following state law mandates.
- The UFT elections in 2025 highlighted internal conflicts, with ARISE focusing on positive campaigns and Unity facing criticism for unethical practices.
- Teacher Tom advocates for play-based education to foster intrinsic motivation and critiques traditional systems that rely on rewards and punishments.
- New legislation aims to expand school choice through tax credits, but critics warn of resource diversion from public schools.
- Penny Schwinn’s confirmation hearing for a federal role raised concerns about her financial dealings and MNPS budget debates.
- Seattle Public Schools faced criticism over governance, nepotism, and school closures, with Director Liza Rankin’s op-ed sparking public outrage.
- Climate change forecasts predict intensified extreme weather and rising sea levels, with global warming breaking records.
- The "Science of Reading" movement is critiqued as perpetuating manufactured crises and failing to address real educational needs.
