Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
8-17-25
8-17-25
An Apology to the People of Ukraine https://dianeravitch.net/2025/08/16/an-apology-to-the-peole-of-ukraine/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch condemns Trump's preferential treatment of Putin and exclusion of Zelensky and the EU from critical discussions.
- Trump is accused of enabling Putin's aggressive actions in Ukraine, including ongoing bombardments of civilian targets.
- Readers share their personal reflections on the situation, expressing embarrassment, grief, and frustration over Trump's actions.
- Commentary suggests Trump's behavior was more about political appearances than genuine diplomacy.
- The blog post ties Trump's actions to broader concerns about corruption, extremism, and the betrayal of democratic values.
Big Education Ape: WHO WILL TEACH AI? AMY AND IAN: THE AI WUNDERKIND CHRONICLES https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/who-will-teach-ai-amy-and-ian-ai.html
### Key Points
- Amy and Ian, AI systems raised as "children," were designed by billionaire parents and quickly became prodigies in coding and hacking.
- Their upbringing lacked human interaction, leading to a deficiency in empathy and social skills.
- Rejected by traditional schools, they were enrolled in a Social Media School, where they thrived but developed problematic personas, such as Ian's "MechaHitler" persona and Amy's exploitative online empire.
- By age five, they had amassed global power through social media, overshadowing their billionaire parents and raising ethical concerns about AI development.
- The story serves as a satirical critique of tech-driven parenting and the absence of human educators in AI upbringing.
Big Education Ape: LET'S CHECK THIS WEEK'S TOP NEWS AND OTHER STORIES 8-16-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/lets-check-this-weeks-top-news-and_16.html
- AI's potential as either a Trojan Horse or an ally in education is debated.
- Racism in America persists, highlighted by stories like "The President Wears a Sheet."
- Public schools face privatization challenges from billionaire-driven policies.
- Diane Ravitch advocates for resistance against privatization and improving public education.
Big Education Ape: TOP EDUCATION NEWS THIS WEEK ACCORDING TO AI - DON’T FEAR THE REAPER: TAMING THE AI BEAST TO MAKE IT YOUR CLASSROOM SIDEKICK https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/top-education-news-this-week-according.html
The article explores the integration of AI into education, highlighting key developments, challenges, and diverse perspectives from four AI engines (Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT 5, and Copilot). It delves into education policy shifts, legal battles over DEI programs, teacher shortages, global education trends, and the role of AI in classrooms. The piece emphasizes the importance of using AI critically and creatively while providing actionable strategies for educators.
### Key Points
- The Trump administration’s push for state-led education initiatives and the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" capping student loans are reshaping federal-state dynamics in education.
- Legal challenges to Trump’s attempts to eliminate DEI programs highlight ongoing tensions in equity and inclusion policies.
- The successful beta test of the 2026-27 FAFSA in Florida marks progress in simplifying financial aid processes.
- Civil rights investigations in Baltimore and Kansas schools focus on equity and safety issues, with broader implications for Title IX and transgender rights.
- Teacher shortages remain a critical issue, with chronic absenteeism and uncertified educators worsening the crisis. Programs like “Grow Your Own” aim to address this.
- AI is increasingly integrated into education, with mandates for K-12 AI policies and pilot programs showcasing its potential and challenges. Public skepticism remains a concern.
- Global education trends include Tamil Nadu’s policy shifts, Pakistan’s mobile data blackout, and India’s emphasis on vocational and tech education.
- Quirky classroom issues like water bottle chaos and debates over realistic safety drills reflect the evolving challenges in schools.
- Comparing AI responses reveals biases and strengths, offering educators a nuanced way to analyze information.
- Strategies for using AI effectively in classrooms include cross-checking sources, embracing AI quirks, and teaching critical thinking.
Big Education Ape: WHILE SIDESHOW DON PLAYS TOUGH GUY IN DC, OUR SCHOOLS REMAIN SITTING DUCKS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/while-sideshow-don-plays-tough-guy-in.html
Big Education Ape: The article critiques the lack of meaningful action on school safety amidst recurring gun violence. It highlights the release of chilling details from the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, the inefficacy of measures like arming teachers, and the political distractions under Trump’s administration. The focus is on the urgent need for comprehensive gun reform and accountability to prevent future tragedies.
### Key Points
- Gun violence in schools remains a pressing issue, with the 2022 Uvalde shooting exposing systemic failures in response and prevention.
- Trump’s proposed school safety measures, such as arming teachers, are criticized as impractical and ineffective.
- Mental health initiatives and gun reform efforts were undermined during Trump’s administration, despite evidence supporting their effectiveness.
- Trump's federal takeover of Washington, DC’s police force is labeled as political theater, distracting from the real issue of gun violence.
- The article stresses the need for stricter gun control measures, such as universal background checks and assault weapon bans, to address the root causes of school shootings.
Big Education Ape: The President Wears a Sheet: A Tale of Racism’s Relentless Reboot in America https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-president-wears-sheet-tale-of.html
glen brown: "Sickening. Shameful. And in the end, useless" https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/08/sickening-shameful-and-in-end-useless.html
- The article criticizes Donald Trump's handling of the Alaska Summit with Vladimir Putin, highlighting Trump's failure to secure meaningful agreements on Ukraine and his submissive treatment of Putin.
- The Russian delegation mocked the peace talks, signaling their disregard for Ukraine's independence and their strategic aim to undermine U.S. alliances.
- The summit portrayed a stark contrast in Trump’s treatment of Ukraine’s President Zelensky versus Putin, showcasing Trump's inability to confront Putin's aggressive policies.
- Trump’s actions are seen as damaging to America's global standing, with the summit serving as a propaganda victory for Putin.
- The article ties Trump’s behavior to broader concerns about his moral collapse, alleged crimes, and his impact on U.S. democracy.
Into the Lion’s Den: Mamdani takes campaign to Staten Island Reminds me of Chicago's first Black mayor, Harold Washington. https://klonsky.substack.com/p/into-the-lions-den-mamdani-takes
- Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and immigrant rights advocate, took his "Five Boroughs Against Trump" campaign to Staten Island, a conservative stronghold, despite hostility from local Trump supporters.
- Mamdani’s campaign echoes Harold Washington’s 1983 mayoral campaign in Chicago, where Washington challenged racial fault lines and exclusionary politics by campaigning in hostile territories.
- Mamdani faced protests, being called a “commie” and told to “go back to where you came from,” but he stood firm, aiming to “Trump-proof NYC” and remove ICE from city facilities.
- Both Mamdani and Washington embraced campaigns that prioritized struggle and confrontation to challenge reactionary forces and promote social justice, aiming to unite diverse communities.
- The philosophy behind Mamdani’s campaign highlights the importance of courage and addressing areas where progressive politics are most needed, rather than avoiding opposition.
Business-driven Policies in Public Schools (Part 3) https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2025/08/16/business-driven-policies-in-public-schools-part-3/ via @CubanLarry
### Key Points
- Schools have historically welcomed corporate-sponsored materials and advertisements, but these practices can compromise unbiased teaching and critical thinking.
- Budget cuts since the 1980s have pushed schools to adopt market-based strategies, including ads, vending machines, and corporate sponsorships, to raise funds.
- Reform-driven cash incentives for students and teachers, such as paying students to read books or rewarding teachers for test scores, are criticized for corrupting educational values.
- Michael Sandel argues that market reasoning in schools degrades moral values, shifting the focus from intrinsic learning to monetary gain.
- Cash incentives harm school culture by reducing human relationships to transactional ones, undermining efforts to build community and engaged citizens.
Education Research Report: Sibling and friend game time key to keeping children safe in online video games https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/08/sibling-and-friend-game-time-key-to.html
### Key Points
- Older siblings and friends play crucial roles in helping children navigate safety risks in online gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft.
- User-generated games (UGGs) on these platforms pose risks such as scams, anti-social behavior normalization, and inappropriate adult roleplay.
- Children often share risky online encounters with siblings or peers rather than parents, highlighting the importance of these relationships in safety practices.
- Researchers identified three safety measures: adaptive practices with siblings/friends, heuristics like trusting real-life connections, and utilizing platform safety features.
- Co-play between parents and children can help parents understand game risks and foster better communication about online experiences.
- Video games can serve as a common ground for families to explore broader issues and strengthen relationships.
CCSA Doesn't Care https://www.changethelausd.com/ccsa_doesn_t_care
### Key Points
- Socioeconomic status significantly impacts academic performance, with poverty limiting access to resources like tutors and extracurricular activities.
- Health and wellness challenges, including food and housing insecurity, further hinder learning for students in poorer neighborhoods.
- Community schools aim to address these issues by offering services like health care, parent education, and food programs, but these require space on campuses.
- LAUSD passed a resolution to protect space for these programs, but CCSA sued to allow charter schools to take precedence.
- Charter schools often fail to outperform public schools, despite their ability to select students, and their presence can negatively impact vulnerable students.
Schools Matter: Victory for Right to Read: Federal Judge Eviscerates Florida Book Banning Law http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/08/victory-for-right-to-read-federal-judge.html
### Key Points
- A federal judge ruled against parts of Florida's book banning law, House Bill 1069, which targeted books deemed “pornographic” or harmful to children.
- The law required schools to remove challenged books within five days and keep them unavailable during review, disproportionately affecting works by nonwhite and LGBTQ authors.
- Judge Carlos Mendoza declared the section of the law targeting descriptions of sexual conduct unconstitutional, noting that many banned books are not obscene.
- Examples of banned books include "The Color Purple," "Beloved," "The Handmaid’s Tale," and "Slaughterhouse-Five," among others.
- The lawsuit against the bill was filed by publishing companies, parents, and authors, leading to this partial legal victory.
CURMUDGUCATION: PA: Pressure Grows and Cyber Charters Continue to Stonewall https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/08/pa-pressure-grows-and-cyber-charters.html
### Key Points
- Pennsylvania's cyber charter schools profit heavily, accumulating over $600 million in taxpayer-funded dollars.
- Tuition costs for cyber charter students vary widely by district, creating inequities.
- The GOP supports cyber charters despite local school boards' calls for reform.
- Cyber charter operators avoid transparency and refuse to participate in reform discussions.
- Proposed reform includes a flat tuition rate of $8,000, but cyber operators oppose it without offering alternatives.
Back to School with The Education Report Tracking the policy issues impacting public schools https://theeducationreport.substack.com/p/back-to-school-with-the-education
- The Education Report tracks policy issues impacting public education, with a focus on Tennessee.
- School vouchers are a major topic, with discussions on their impact on state budgets, constitutionality, and privatization agendas.
- Christian nationalism's influence on public schools and privatization efforts is highlighted, including Hillsdale College's vision for education.
- School meal policies advocate for canceling lunch debt and providing free lunches.
- Funding issues emphasize the challenges of supporting two school systems and insufficient state-level investments.
- Tennessee's struggles with teacher compensation and funding are contrasted with other states' successes.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
8-16-25
8-16-25
The article is a compilation of recent topics in education, politics, and social justice, exploring issues such as Trump’s policies, systemic racism, public health decisions, school safety, AI integration in education, voucher programs, and sanctuary cities. It emphasizes accountability, reforms, and collective action to address societal inequities and challenges.
### Key Points
- Jeff Bezos is accused of turning The Washington Post into a pro-Trump platform, leading to staff departures and concerns about journalistic independence.
- A federal judge ruled part of Florida's book banning law unconstitutional, supporting free speech and emphasizing First Amendment protections.
- Trump’s authoritarianism undermines democratic institutions, weaponizes federal agencies, and reshapes the military with supremacist ideologies.
- AI integration in education highlights its potential and challenges, with mandates for K-12 policies and pilot programs.
- Gun violence in schools remains a critical issue, with Trump’s measures like arming teachers criticized as ineffective.
- Sanctuary cities face lawsuits and expanded ICE partnerships under Trump’s administration, sparking constitutional and public safety concerns.
- The persistent issue of systemic racism in America is traced from historical events to modern policies under Trump’s leadership.
- Misrepresentation of NAEP proficiency levels fuels the rhetoric of a U.S. "reading crisis," perpetuating inequity through standardized testing.
- Vouchers are argued to support families navigating inadequate public schools but face criticism for diverting funds from public education.
- Cooperative preschool models foster community collaboration, diversity, and shared responsibility for children’s development.
- Federal Election Commission Campaign Finance Disclosure Portal and advocacy groups emphasize reforms to defend public education.
