Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
Trump Orders Troops to Portland, Oregon https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/27/trump-orders-troops-to-portland-oregon/ via @dianeravitch
- Former President Trump has ordered active-duty military troops to Portland, Oregon, claiming the city is besieged by Antifa and radical terrorists. This unprecedented move was not requested by local or state officials.
- Trump announced this decision through his social platform, "Truth Social," stating the use of "Full Force" is authorized if necessary.
- Critics describe this act as an escalation of authoritarianism and fascism, with lawsuits already being filed against the deployment.
- The article ties this action to Trump’s broader "retribution tour" targeting people and places he opposes.
Big Education Ape: LET'S CHECK THIS WEEK'S TOP NEWS AND OTHER STORIES Saturday, September 27, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/lets-check-this-weeks-top-news-and_01357883721.html
- Historical reflections on obedience as a root cause of atrocities like war and genocide, highlighting the dangers of compliance.
- Commentary on public education's role in democracy, emphasizing resistance to efforts undermining it, including critiques of billionaire influence.
- Various AI tools like Gemini, ChatGPT 5, and Copilot are competing for dominance in the news landscape, with weekly analyses of their performance.
- A satirical critique of attempts to dismantle public schools, featuring Randi Weingarten's book "Why Fascists Fear Teachers."
- Multiple blog posts and commentaries address ongoing societal issues, including gun violence, free speech debates, and the role of technology in democracy.
Big Education Ape: THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 – WHO ACTUALLY READ THE ROOM? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-september_27.html
### Key Points
- LAUSD extended Superintendent Carvalho’s contract without public input, raising concerns about transparency and family involvement in district decisions.
- Adolescents are misusing over-the-counter antihistamines, leading to severe health risks like heart arrhythmias.
- Mississippi’s reading reform is criticized for being misunderstood and potentially harmful if copied elsewhere.
- Discussions on obedience versus disobedience in historical contexts, including war and genocide, reflect societal and political dynamics.
- Gemini delivered dramatic coverage, including James Comey’s indictment, Epstein investigation files, Iran sanctions, and Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
- Grok emphasized high engagement stories, such as the U.S. government shutdown risk, Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest, North Korea’s nuclear expansion, and severe flooding in Arizona and Mexico.
- ChatGPT 4’s coverage was minimalist, teasing stories like BRICS multilateral trade defense, protests in Colombia, and local news without sufficient details.
- Copilot focused on sensational headlines, including Gaza aid flotillas, Trump’s UN speech backlash, SIM card network dismantling, and Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
- Each AI model was evaluated for its strengths: Gemini for drama, Grok for informativeness, ChatGPT 4 for mystery, and Copilot for theatrical flair.
Big Education Ape: THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: WEEK OF SEPT 19–26, 2025 – WHO GEMINI'D THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND THE KIRK-KIMMEL MELTDOWN? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-september_52.html
### Key Points
- LAUSD extended Superintendent Carvalho’s contract without public input, raising concerns about transparency and family involvement in decision-making.
- Adolescents are misusing over-the-counter antihistamines, leading to severe health risks such as heart arrhythmias.
- Mississippi’s reading reform is criticized for being misunderstood and potentially harmful if replicated in other states.
- The AI news smackdown compared Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT 4, and Copilot on their reporting of major stories from September 19–26, 2025. Gemini was praised for balance, Grok for drama, Copilot for conspiracy-like content, and ChatGPT 4 for being too safe.
- Harvard University faced financial sanctions and was placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring for refusing to cooperate with a compliance review on race in admissions.
- A transgender student incident in Fairfax County Public Schools sparked debates on Title IX and school safety.
- U.S. high school seniors’ reading and math scores showed significant declines, raising alarms about education quality.
- The looming government shutdown created political tension, with threats of mass layoffs and ACA subsidy extensions at stake.
- Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted, while Jimmy Kimmel faced suspension over controversial comments.
- Global affairs included escalating conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine’s plea for intervention, and Venezuela mobilizing troops amid U.S. tensions.
- AI models differed in their coverage of world events, with Gemini delivering comprehensive reporting, Grok emphasizing drama, ChatGPT 4 focusing on basics, and Copilot highlighting provocative incidents.
- Sudan experienced a deadly drone strike, Nigeria faced police ambushes, and Afghanistan rejected U.S. calls to reclaim Bagram Air Base.
Big Education Ape: DONALD TRUMP: AMERICAN FEAR MONGER THE B-MOVIE LOGIC OF A GOVERNMENT BY GRIEVANCE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/donald-trump-american-fear-monger-b.html
Seattle Schools Community Forum Live Blogging Seattle School Board Discussion of Superintendent Candidates - Let's see where their Executive Session discussion has taken them. Topp let us know at 4:40 that the Ex Session will run another half hour and the publi... 24 minutes ago CA Dept of Education - What's New Team Nutrition Training and Resources - Updated training and resources from Team Nutrition. 37 minutes ago 10th Period It's official. I'm taking Crazy Pills. - Ten years after Ohio had to return $63 million of a $71 million federal charter school grant to the first Trump Administration, Ohio gets another $105 mill... 1 hour ago JD Organizing in Retirement - jd2718 MLC Healthcare Minutes 9/10/25 - Municipal Labor Committee - minutes - unverified - but seem real 4 hours ago CURMUDGUCATION Bring Back Broad Education - Yeah, the term they're searching for is "liberal arts." I graduated from little Allegheny College
### Key Points
- Donald Trump has launched a campaign of retribution, targeting government officials, celebrities, and institutions he perceives as adversaries. This includes actions against James Comey, Letitia James, Lisa Cook, Gen. Mark Milley, John Bolton, John Brennan, Adam Schiff, Jack Smith, and others.
- Trump's administration has been accused of abusing power, dismantling norms, and promoting authoritarianism through executive orders and investigations aimed at silencing opposition and consolidating control.
- The No Kings 2.0 movement is organizing nationwide protests on October 18 to counter Trump's fear-mongering and authoritarian tactics, emphasizing democracy and civic engagement.
- Critics argue that Trump’s approach is rooted in fear-mongering and panic-driven policies, which are eroding democratic values and creating a chilling effect across various sectors of society.
- The article draws parallels between Trump’s tactics and historical authoritarian figures, highlighting the dangers of his governance style.
Big Education Ape: THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: SEPTEMBER 26, 2025—THE DAY CHATGPT BECAME A LINK TREE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-september.html
AI news aggregation. The "Great AI News Smackdown" evaluates AI models like Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT 5, and Copilot on their news coverage performance. Grok excels in global reporting, Gemini shines in U.S. politics, Copilot adds local flavor, and ChatGPT 5 struggles to meet expectations. The article humorously critiques AI models and their ability to aggregate news effectively.
### Key Points
- Josh Cowen is running for Congress, advocating for public education.
- Healthcare plan discussions and scam prevention tips are highlighted.
- The "Great AI News Smackdown" compares AI models on news coverage, with Grok emerging as the top performer.
- Gemini excels in political analysis but lacks global awareness.
- Copilot balances global disaster reporting with local stories but misses key headlines.
- ChatGPT 5 fails to deliver substantive news coverage, suggesting external sources instead.
- The article humorously critiques AI models and their roles in news aggregation.
Big Education Ape: THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: GEMINI, GROK, CHATGPT 5, AND COPILOT BATTLE FOR THE HEADLINES – WHO NAILED SEPTEMBER 25, 2025? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-gemini-grok.html
Is Teaching to the Middle of a Class Settling for Mediocrity? https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2025/09/27/is-teaching-to-the-middle-of-a-class-settling-for-mediocrity/ via @CubanLarry
### Key Points
- Teachers often teach to the middle of the class, unintentionally neglecting students at the top and bottom of the performance spectrum.
- Teaching to the middle is influenced by systemic constraints like large class sizes, limited time, and grading requirements.
- The practice reflects compromises between values of equity, excellence, and community, which are difficult to achieve simultaneously.
- Mediocrity is unfairly associated with "average" performance due to societal beliefs in the bell-shaped curve and meritocratic grading systems.
- Schools face a larger dilemma: whether to reproduce societal inequalities or restructure systems to reduce them.
- Teachers aim to be fair and equitable but are limited by practical demands, resulting in teaching to the middle.
glen brown: The Road to the Camps: Echoes of a Fascist Past https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-road-to-camps-echoes-of-fascist-past.html
Summary
The article explores the rise of authoritarianism under Donald Trump’s administration, drawing parallels to historical fascist regimes. It highlights the use of propaganda, censorship, and the weaponization of tragedy to consolidate power, silence dissent, and criminalize free speech. The piece underscores the moral and political collapse in various institutions, including higher education, and warns against the normalization of ignorance and repression. It calls for resistance as an urgent moral and political task in the face of growing authoritarianism.
### Key Points
- Donald Trump’s administration uses tragedy, such as Charlie Kirk’s death, to weaponize grief and consolidate power, blaming dissenters without evidence.
- Trump and his allies attack freedom of speech, framing dissent as terrorism and disloyalty, echoing tactics of historical fascist regimes.
- The administration normalizes ignorance and moral blindness, creating a society unable to distinguish truth from lies or justice from evil.
- Historical parallels are drawn to fascist tactics, such as Hitler’s Reichstag fire and Mussolini’s consolidation of power after crises.
- Trump’s administration targets vulnerable groups like immigrants, students, and transgender people, using repression and surveillance.
- Higher education institutions betray their critical role by silencing dissent and collaborating with authoritarian policies.
- The rhetoric of Trump’s allies, such as Stephen Miller, amplifies repression, labeling leftist groups as domestic terrorists.
- The criminalization of satire and comedy signals the advance of fascism, exposing the fragility of regimes intolerant of critique.
- Violence by MAGA supporters is ignored while dissenting voices are falsely blamed for acts of extremism.
- Trump administration fabricates narratives to scapegoat critics and mask the violence of right-wing ideologies.
- The article warns against silence in the face of authoritarianism, emphasizing the need for collective resistance to defend democracy.
Interesting Analysis Of Research About Students’ Attention - Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/
### Key Points
- The blog shares updates on education topics like student attention research, educational policies, and classroom instruction.
- The author has created free AI chatbots for parent engagement, ELL teachers, and classroom instruction.
- Monthly "Best" lists and curated teaching resources are regularly posted, covering topics like historical events and global issues.
- The blog revisits significant past research studies and shares videos on educational topics.
- Books by the author provide practical, research-based strategies for teaching various subjects and supporting English Language Learners.
- Other contributions include a radio show, posts for Education Week Teacher, British Council, and The New York Times.
Misunderstanding Mississippi's Reading Reform: The Need to Resist Copycat Education Reform https://radicalscholarship.com/2025/09/27/misunderstanding-mississippis-reading-reform-the-need-to-resist-copycat-education-reform/ via @plthomasEdD
### Key Points
- Mississippi’s reading reform has been exaggerated as a success, with test score gains attributed to manipulated student populations rather than improved reading proficiency.
- The practice of grade retention in Mississippi, which disproportionately affects disadvantaged students, may be distorting test data without enhancing actual literacy skills.
- Despite improvements in grade 4 reading scores, Mississippi’s reforms have failed to address persistent racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps.
- Short-term test score gains linked to similar reforms in other states raise questions about their validity and long-term effectiveness.
- The crisis/reform cycle in education, driven by political and ideological agendas, has historically failed to address the root causes of educational inequities.
Teens are eager to learn more about their bodies: what to expect before menstruation begins - Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
### Key Points
- Adolescents are misusing over-the-counter antihistamines like diphenhydramine, influenced by social media trends such as the “Benadryl Challenge,” leading to severe health risks. Researchers stress the importance of education and safeguards to prevent misuse.
- Practical menstruation education, such as the Period Prepared program, helps adolescents understand and manage menstruation, reducing stigma and fostering confidence. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and has received positive feedback.
- A white paper from the University of Phoenix highlights how mapping students' achieved skills to job market requirements boosts confidence for both students and employers, improving recruitment outcomes.
- College students' relationships with peers, faculty, and staff influence their likelihood of reporting hazing incidents. Trust and understanding of hazing behaviors are critical for prevention and intervention.
- Flavored marijuana vaping is rising among teens, with fruit flavors gaining popularity. Researchers warn of addiction risks and suggest targeted policies and education to address the trend.
- School districts spend millions on master's degree premiums for teachers, despite evidence showing no correlation between advanced degrees and improved teaching effectiveness. Researchers recommend reallocating these funds to programs that enhance teacher and student outcomes.
Carvalho’s Quiet Renewal: LAUSD Extends Superintendent’s Contract Without Public Input School Board votes to keep Carvalho in power after closed-door deliberations. L.A. families left without a voice in their district’s future. https://www.changethelausd.com/carvalho_s_quiet_renewal_lausd_extends_superintendent_s_contract_without_public_input
### Key Points
- LAUSD extended Superintendent Carvalho’s contract in a closed-door meeting, violating transparency expectations.
- The Brown Act allows closed-door deliberations but does not mandate secrecy; public input was bypassed.
- Criticisms of Carvalho’s leadership include a cybersecurity breach exposing student data, a failed $6M AI chatbot contract, and abrupt program eliminations like Primary Promise.
- Parents had to sue LAUSD for compliance with PROP-28 arts education funding, highlighting governance issues.
- The Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) process excluded the Community Advisory Committee under Carvalho’s leadership.
- Parents and communities demand future processes to be transparent and inclusive of their voices.
DONALD TRUMP: AMERICA’S FEARMONGER-IN-CHIEF FROM ENEMIES LIST TO BEDTIME BOGEYMAN https://ru4people.substack.com/p/donald-trump-americas-fearmonger
### Key Points
- Donald Trump has weaponized fear and the Department of Justice to target perceived enemies, including prominent figures like James Comey, Letitia James, and Gen. Mark Milley.
- His actions extend to attacking institutions, slashing funding for universities, suing media outlets, and targeting cultural organizations.
- Trump’s rhetoric fuels division, civil unrest, and calls for violence, while his policies attack vulnerable groups, including immigrants and transgender individuals.
- Critics liken his approach to McCarthy-era political purges and argue it represents an abuse of power.
- The "No Kings 2.0" movement aims to challenge Trump’s authoritarianism through nationwide protests and advocacy for democratic freedoms.
THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: WHO’S THE KING OF HEADLINES? SEPTEMBER 19–26, 2025 EDITION https://ru4people.substack.com/p/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-whos
### Key Points
- Grok won the AI news smackdown for blending facts with flair and delivering dramatic coverage of key stories across education, politics, and world affairs.
- Gemini excelled in depth and thoroughness but lacked pizzazz, missing viral elements like locker room scandals and Typhoon Yagi’s devastation.
- ChatGPT-4 failed to capture critical details and lacked engaging coverage, often focusing on vague mentions of major events.
- Copilot performed well in satire and nuanced reporting but stumbled on scope and timelines, mixing unrelated domestic stories into world affairs.
- In U.S. Education, Grok focused on viral locker room scandals, Harvard’s financial monitoring, and a poll comparing Cuba’s education system to America’s.
- In U.S. Politics, Grok delivered dramatic coverage of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Epstein documents, and cyber plots, earning high marks for emotional focus.
- In World Affairs, Grok covered Gaza escalations, Typhoon Yagi destruction, Venezuela troop movements, and Zelenskyy’s arms race warnings with clarity and urgency.
- Gemini provided solid, policy-driven coverage, including U.S. Presidential Scholars announcements, charter school funding boosts, and geopolitical updates.
- ChatGPT-4 and Copilot failed to adequately cover viral or controversial stories, such as Kirk’s assassination and Typhoon Yagi’s devastation, costing them points.
- AI aggregators are evaluated not just on accuracy but their ability to keep audiences engaged and informed.
THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 EDITION Who Nailed the Headlines, Who Fumbled the Facts, and Who Needs a Firmware Update https://ru4people.substack.com/p/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-september-0d9
### Key Points
- Grok prioritized the US government shutdown, recognizing its systemic impact on the economy and federal workers, with odds of a shutdown reaching 77%.
- Both Grok and Gemini covered the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, a significant legal and political development.
- Sonam Wangchuk's detention in Ladakh under the National Security Act was identified by Grok and Gemini, sparking international human rights concerns.
- Grok highlighted North Korea’s nuclear arsenal expansion as a critical geopolitical story.
- Severe flooding in the US Southwest and Mexico was covered by Grok, emphasizing climate-driven disasters.
- Gemini reported sweeping tariffs on imported goods and the sale of TikTok to an American-led company involving Abu Dhabi stakeholders.
- ChatGPT 4’s coverage was criticized for its vague and disconnected headlines, including mentions of BRICS trade and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters.
- Copilot focused excessively on local news, such as a car crash and a high school robotics team, missing broader global relevance.
- Copilot did mention important stories like the Gaza Aid Flotilla and Trump’s UN speech, but lacked prioritization.
- Grok also flagged Ukraine’s downgraded economic growth due to war pressures and energy damage.
- Gemini reported heightened security at ICE facilities following a deadly shooting.
- India’s launch of an indigenous 4G telecom stack and related BRICS discussions were noted by Grok.
Thunderbolts is 67: “Righteousness Without Power Is Just an Opinion” – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/09/27/marvels-thunderbolt-movie-righteousness-without-power-is-just-an-opinion/
### Key Points
- The quote “Righteousness without power is just an opinion” from *Thunderbolts* challenges the romanticism of moral conviction without influence.
- Historical examples, such as abolitionists, suffragists, and civil rights activists, show that righteousness paired with power leads to systemic change.
- Power can take various forms—hard, soft, or persistent—and is necessary to translate conviction into impact.
- Righteousness can itself generate power, as seen in movements led by figures like Gandhi and Rosa Parks.
- Leadership that lacks righteousness risks legitimacy and corrodes over time, while righteous leadership inspires loyalty and progress.
- The article critiques Valentina’s cynical worldview and argues for the fusion of righteousness and power as the engine of meaningful leadership.
- The author rates *Thunderbolts* two out of five stars, noting the larger message outweighs the film’s quality.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
9-27-25
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/yesterdays-gems-todays-insights-roundup_050728909.html
The article covers various topics related to education, politics, societal issues, and technological advancements, including public school reforms, AI models' performance in news aggregation, controversies surrounding healthcare plans, and the erosion of democracy due to corporate monopolies and divisive rhetoric.
### Key Points
- LAUSD extended Superintendent Carvalho’s contract without public input, raising concerns about transparency and community involvement.
- Adolescents are misusing over-the-counter antihistamines, leading to severe health risks like heart arrhythmias.
- John Merrow criticizes inflammatory rhetoric labeling teachers as "terrorists," linking it to political extremism undermining public education.
- Ryan Walters resigned as Oklahoma State Superintendent after controversies, joining efforts to oppose teachers' unions and liberal agendas.
- Republicans have shifted from advocating local control to centralized power, as seen in conflicts over transgender policies and education governance.
- Leonie Haimson calls for audits of NYC DOE spending on charter school rent and matching funds, highlighting potential legal violations and financial discrepancies.
- Josh Cowen is running for Congress as a champion for public schools, opposing voucher schemes and privatization efforts.
- David C. Berliner’s passing is mourned, recognizing his contributions to education reform and advocacy for public school teachers.
- Donald Trump’s administration is critiqued for authoritarian tactics, fear-mongering, and divisive rhetoric, sparking resistance movements like No Kings 2.0.
- AI models (Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT 5, Copilot) are evaluated for news reporting, with Grok excelling in storytelling and Gemini in political analysis.
- Teacher Tom emphasizes the importance of cooperative preschools and introduces a course on building strong parent-educator partnerships.
- Tennessee’s voucher program raises equity concerns due to insufficient tracking and reporting of its impact.
- Larry Ferlazzo created AI chatbots to support parent engagement and teaching strategies, highlighting educational tools and resources.
- Education budget cuts are critiqued for undermining democracy and long-term prosperity, emphasizing solidarity and investment.
- Concerns about NYC’s proposed healthcare plan include transparency issues, cost stability, and impacts on retirees.
- Flavored marijuana vaping is the most common form of cannabis use among teens, raising addiction fears and public health concerns.
- Ohio received another federal charter school grant despite previous failures and inefficiency in managing funds.
- USDA updated Team Nutrition resources to support healthy school meals and environments.
- Privatization policies in public education deepen inequality and destabilize communities, threatening democracy.
- Advocates call for trust-busting reforms to counter tech monopolies and corporate influence on democracy.
- Body image dissatisfaction among girls correlates with lower grades in Physical Education, emphasizing the need for body positivity.
