Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
NYC Public School Parents: Diane Ravitch's great new memoirs and book talk on Tuesday October 21! https://nycpublicschoolparents.blogspot.com/2025/10/diane-ravitchs-great-new-memoirs-and.html
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch's memoir, "An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and Almost Everything Else," is available for purchase and will be discussed at a book talk on October 21, 2025, at the Brooklyn Public Library.
- NYC Public School Parents blog encourages participation in initiatives like class size surveys, petitions, and donations to support smaller classes and student privacy.
- The blog highlights various educational events, awards, and campaigns, including honoring Commissioner Betty Rosa and advocating for improved class size policies.
- The blog provides contact details for key education policymakers and resources for NYC school-related information.
- Leonie Haimson co-hosts the "Talk out of School" podcast, airing weekly on WBAI-FM and available online.
Big Education Ape: NO KINGS, NO DICTATORS, NO PROBLEM: AMERICA’S OCTOBER 18 SHOWDOWN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/no-kings-no-dictators-no-problem.html
Big Education Ape: THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: WHO NAILED IT AND WHO FLOPPED? SEPTEMBER 27–OCTOBER 4, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-who-nailed.html
### Key Points
- Grok excelled in U.S. education coverage by reporting on the early FAFSA launch, equity-focused initiatives, and the 2026 U.S. News & World Report college rankings.
- Copilot stood out in U.S. politics with engaging coverage of James Comey’s indictment, Trump’s targeting of a Microsoft executive, and new tariffs.
- Gemini performed best in world affairs, providing balanced reporting on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, U.S.-China tensions, and Moldova’s struggles against Russian interference.
- ChatGPT 4 underperformed across all categories due to shallow reporting and lack of engaging content.
- The U.S. government shutdown dominated political headlines, with disputes over funding priorities, mass federal layoffs, and Trump’s freezing of funds for Democratic-led states.
- Education highlights included federal investigations into Title IX violations, funding cuts due to the shutdown, and a $500 million investment in charter schools.
- International crises covered included Hamas’s partial acceptance of Trump’s peace plan, Japan’s election of Sanae Takaichi as its leader, and a devastating earthquake in the Philippines.
- The AI models’ performance varied, with Grok praised for its readability, Copilot for its dramatic political reporting, and Gemini for its comprehensive global coverage.
Big Education Ape: LET'S CHECK THIS WEEK'S TOP NEWS AND OTHER STORIES SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/lets-check-this-weeks-top-news-and.html
### Key Points
- Trump’s rhetoric and its impact on American governance are critiqued, highlighting fear-mongering and doublespeak.
- Charter school protests in New York and their history of legal violations are discussed.
- Diane Ravitch’s memoirs and her insights on education reform are featured.
- AI-related news, including government shutdowns and media dynamics, is analyzed.
- Gun violence and societal division in America are examined critically.
- Zohran Mamdani’s progressive initiatives like free buses and rent freezes are highlighted.
- Sandy Hook Promise’s PSA on school shootings emphasizes safety concerns.
- Advocacy for public education and critiques of oligarchic influences are presented.
Big Education Ape: GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: OCTOBER 4, 2025 EDITION – WHO NAILED THE SHUTDOWN SHENANIGANS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/great-ai-news-smackdown-october-4-2025.html
### Key Points
- Gemini was praised for balanced reporting across categories, while Grok focused on health crises and shutdown impacts, Copilot leaned into sensationalism, and ChatGPT played it safe.
- The U.S. government shutdown continues, with deep political divides over funding and policy riders. Trump retaliated against NYC infrastructure projects and proposed aid cuts to blue states.
- Trump set a deadline for Hamas to agree to a cease-fire plan, raising hopes for hostage releases, while urging Israel to halt Gaza bombings.
- Education news includes federal incentives for conservative curriculum changes, debates on student debt relief, and nonprofits addressing student mental health gaps.
- National affairs feature shutdown impacts, a public health crisis in Mississippi, and U.S. strikes on drug vessels off Venezuela.
- Global stories include Putin praising Trump, Zelenskyy reporting missile strikes, Japan’s potential first female prime minister, and Malaysia’s surge in book bans.
- AI models competed in news reporting, with Gemini winning for its comprehensive coverage, Grok focusing on health and shutdown impacts, and Copilot adding sensationalism.
SENDING TROOPS TO MEMPHIS THE EQUIVALENT OF SENDING COAL TO NEWCASTLE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/sending-troops-to-memphis-equivalent-of.html
Education Research Report explores the impact of self-efficacy and test anxiety on mathematics performance, highlighting the emotional challenges tied to the subject. Meanwhile, controversy surrounds the Trump administration's decision to deploy troops to Memphis, Tennessee, to address violent crime. Critics argue this approach ignores systemic poverty and socioeconomic issues driving crime, calling for investment in education, housing, and economic opportunities. The article also examines the historical roots of poverty in the U.S., emphasizing the need for robust safety net programs and community-based solutions to tackle poverty and gun violence effectively.
### Key Points
- Self-efficacy and test anxiety significantly influence mathematics performance, reflecting the emotional complexity of learning math.
- Deployment of federal troops to Memphis is criticized as ineffective, failing to address systemic poverty and its link to crime.
- Militarization erodes trust and civil liberties while addressing symptoms rather than root causes like poverty and lack of opportunity.
- Poverty in the U.S. stems from income inequality, systemic racism, and policy rollbacks, disproportionately affecting minority communities.
- Evidence shows safety net programs like SNAP and Head Start reduce poverty and improve long-term outcomes.
- Poverty and gun violence are interconnected, with high-poverty areas experiencing higher homicide rates.
- Effective solutions include expanding tax credits, raising the minimum wage, and increasing funding for affordable housing and education.
Big Education Ape: THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: OCTOBER 3, 2025—THE SHUTDOWN SHOWDOWN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-october-3.html
Schools Matter: ORWELL 2+2=5 - Official Greenband Trailer - In Sel... http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/10/orwell-225-official-greenband-trailer.html?spref=tw
- The article discusses the documentary "ORWELL 2+2=5," directed by Raoul Peck, which explores George Orwell's prophetic works and their relevance to modern authoritarianism.
- The documentary integrates historical clips, Orwell's diary entries, cinematic references, and contemporary footage to offer a fresh perspective on Orwell’s ideas and their significance for the future.
- The article critiques organizations like AFT and NEA for focusing on AI and teacher replacement rather than using resources for educational purposes, such as promoting documentaries like this one.
- Themes of poverty, inequality, and the impact of societal factors on education are highlighted, emphasizing that poverty—not teacher quality—is a major issue affecting learning outcomes.
- The blog includes a wide range of topics on education reform, testing, and critiques of corporate influence on public education.
Bad Bunny, the Super Bowl, and Why People are Really Nervous – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/10/04/bad-bunny-the-super-bowl-and-why-people-are-really-nervous/
### Key Points
- Bad Bunny hosting the Super Bowl halftime show symbolizes a cultural shift, celebrating Latino identity and diversity on America’s biggest stage.
- The NFL’s halftime performances, influenced by Jay-Z and Roc Nation, now prioritize marginalized voices, as seen with Kendrick Lamar’s unapologetically Black performance.
- The right-wing’s discomfort stems from the disruption of their cultural monopoly over the Super Bowl and football rituals.
- ICE’s actions contrast the celebration of Latino identity, showcasing the ongoing criminalization and fear imposed on immigrant communities.
- Danica Patrick’s criticism of Bad Bunny’s role highlights resistance to cultural change and the hypocrisy of dismissing representation despite benefiting from it herself.
- The Lions’ refusal to honor Charlie Kirk reflects subtle resistance against conservative political dominance in NFL rituals.
- Colin Kaepernick’s protest and the Lions’ restraint underscore the power of silent dissent against cultural obedience.
- The Supreme Court’s rulings enable racial profiling and persecution, reinforcing systemic exclusion and injustice.
- The broader struggle over American culture involves redefining patriotism and inclusivity beyond conservative ideologies.
THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: SEPT 27–OCT 4, 2025 WHO NAILED THE HEADLINES AND WHO NEEDED A COFFEE BREAK?
### Key Points
- The article compares the performance of four AI models: Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT 4, and Copilot, in reporting news from September 27 to October 4, 2025.
- In the U.S. Education category, Grok wins for its practical and relatable coverage, highlighting the early FAFSA launch and Secretary Linda McMahon’s statement on equity. Gemini loses for its overly dry and technical reporting.
- In U.S. Politics, Copilot wins for its engaging and dramatic coverage of the government shutdown, James Comey’s indictment, and new tariffs. ChatGPT 4 loses for its lack of depth and focus.
- In the World Affairs category, Gemini wins for its comprehensive and balanced reporting on global issues like Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, U.S.-China relations, and Moldova’s struggles against Russian interference. Copilot loses for its scattered and sensationalized coverage.
- Grok is named the overall winner for its ability to combine relevance and readability across categories. Copilot is commended for its engaging political coverage, while Gemini redeems itself in world affairs. ChatGPT 4 is criticized for its lackluster performance and lack of depth.
- The article concludes that while AI models are improving in mimicking human journalism, they still exhibit flaws and biases.
PLEASE SHARE widely | Bill Ayers https://billayers.org/2025/10/04/please-share-widely/
### Key Points
- The National Public Housing Museum and Goodman Theatre hosted a conversation between Lisa Lee, founding director of the Museum, and playwright Zayd Dohrn about his musical "Revolution(s)," which opens Goodman Theatre’s centennial season.
- The event is part of "100 Free Acts of Theater," a year-long initiative involving all 50 wards of Chicago to celebrate the city’s artistic diversity, amplify existing arts programming, and foster new collaborations.
- The conversation explored themes such as revolution, envisioning a better future, the role of love and joy, and the intersection of art, activism, and imagination in shaping societal change.
- Guest activists joined Lisa and Zayd during the discussion, further examining the role of the arts in transformative movements.
- Resources mentioned include the National Public Housing Museum, Goodman Theatre, Zayd Dohrn’s website, and the "Mother Country Radicals" podcast.
Success Academy rally and their history of violating laws | Class Size Matters | A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes https://classsizematters.org/success-academy-rally-and-their-history-of-violating-laws/
- Charter school networks, including Success Academy and Zeta, held a rally and march to advocate for charter school expansion, opposing mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's stance against more charter schools due to the NYC legal cap.
- Success Academy CEO Eva Moskowitz mandated staff and teachers to participate in political actions, including rallies and phone campaigns, emphasizing the perceived existential threat to charter schools.
- Moskowitz falsely claimed former Mayor Bill de Blasio removed three Success Academy schools, while the actual issue involved rejected co-location proposals. DOE later rented space for these schools at significant expense.
- Charter schools, especially Success Academy, have been accused of misusing funds, inflating rental payments, and violating laws related to student rights and privacy.
- Senators Liu and Mayer called for investigations into charter schools coercing attendance at political rallies, citing potential violations of state law and misuse of instructional time.
- DOE spending on charter school rent has risen sharply, with reports highlighting overspending and failure to provide matching funds to public schools for facility upgrades.
- Advocacy groups urge Comptroller Brad Lander to audit DOE spending on charter school rents and matching funds before his term ends.
- Class size remains a critical issue in NYC schools, with inconsistent results despite funding aimed at reducing class sizes.
Vouchers vs. TN's ESA's: What's the Difference? No matter what they're called, they shift public money away from public schools https://theeducationreport.substack.com/p/vouchers-vs-tns-esas-whats-the-difference
### Key Points
- Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and vouchers both redirect public funds away from public schools, with ESAs offering more flexibility in spending on private schools or other educational expenses.
- Public opposition to school vouchers remains strong, as demonstrated by ballot measures in Colorado, Kentucky, and Nebraska, where voters decisively rejected them.
- In Kentucky, all counties voted against vouchers by a 2-1 margin, showing bipartisan resistance to these policies.
- Advocating for public education is suggested as a winning strategy for Democrats, emphasizing its importance in political campaigns.
- Tennessee has implemented a universal ESA program, distributing 20,000 ESAs, but the state continues to lag in school funding compared to neighboring states and the national average.
- Investment in teacher compensation has shown positive outcomes in other regions, though Tennessee has not made similar strides.
glen brown: "Alarming rhetoric 'comes right out of the fascism playbook'" https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/10/alarming-rhetoric-comes-right-out-of.html
- The article discusses alarming rhetoric from Trump, who suggested using U.S. cities as military training grounds to target domestic "enemies," drawing concerns of authoritarianism and fascism.
- Trump falsely claimed cities like Portland and Washington, DC, are war zones and unsafe, despite evidence to the contrary, and exaggerated crime statistics to justify military actions.
- Critics, including legal experts and politicians, highlighted the unconstitutional nature of Trump's statements, citing the Posse Comitatus Act and concerns over misuse of military power.
- Observers abroad and domestic organizations condemned Trump's rhetoric as dangerous, likening it to fascist tactics and warning of threats to democracy.
glen brown: The Continuing Debacle https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-continuing-debacle.html
### Key Points
- Trump proposes using American cities like Chicago and Portland for military training, labeling them as "dangerous" and targeting local governance.
- Trump discusses nuclear capabilities and boasts about U.S. superiority in submarine technology, while revealing sensitive military movements.
- Criticism of Trump’s authoritarian rhetoric and fixation on violence, with comparisons to historical fascism and commentary on his fitness-related remarks.
- Broader societal concerns are highlighted, including environmental threats, healthcare, racism, and gender discrimination.
- Political satire and humor are used to critique Trump’s statements and policies, including his fitness lectures to military generals.
Vouchers vs. TN's ESA's: What's the Difference? No matter what they're called, they shift public money away from public schools https://theeducationreport.substack.com/p/vouchers-vs-tns-esas-whats-the-difference
- Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and vouchers both redirect public funds away from public schools, with ESAs offering more flexibility in spending on private schools or other educational expenses.
- Public opposition to school vouchers remains strong, as demonstrated by ballot measures in Colorado, Kentucky, and Nebraska, where voters decisively rejected them.
- In Kentucky, all counties voted against vouchers by a 2-1 margin, showing bipartisan resistance to these policies.
- Advocating for public education is suggested as a winning strategy for Democrats, emphasizing its importance in political campaigns.
- Tennessee has implemented a universal ESA program, distributing 20,000 ESAs, but the state continues to lag in school funding compared to neighboring states and the national average.
- Investment in teacher compensation has shown positive outcomes in other regions, though Tennessee has not made similar strides.
Jersey Jazzman: NJ Governor's Race and Education, Part I: Should NJ Become Mississippi? https://jerseyjazzman.blogspot.com/2025/10/nj-governors-race-and-education-part-i.html
- The article discusses the NJ governor's race, focusing on Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli's education reform ideas, including a high-impact curriculum aimed at addressing learning gaps.
- Ciattarelli criticizes the performance of schools with predominantly Black student populations and compares NJ's education system to southern states like Louisiana and Mississippi, suggesting they are models for reform.
- Data from the National Assessment for Education Progress (NAEP) shows NJ consistently outperforms Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida in both Grade 4 and Grade 8 math and reading scores, challenging Ciattarelli's claims.
- The article highlights NJ's opportunity gap for economically disadvantaged students but notes that NJ's overall educational outcomes remain strong compared to other states.
- The author argues against using southern states as models for NJ education reform and suggests addressing NJ's internal challenges instead.
News from the front: Trump is sending troops into Chicago ICE’s War on Chicago’s Neighborhoods: Logan Square Under Siege. State Rep Lilian Jiménez Sounds Alarm https://klonsky.substack.com/p/news-from-the-front-trump-is-sending
### Key Points
- Militarized ICE immigration raids are targeting immigrant-rich neighborhoods in Chicago, disrupting communities and escalating fear.
- Tear gas and chemical agents were used near schools and markets, impacting children and families.
- Federal involvement in the raids includes Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, sparking local resistance and investigations into human rights violations.
- Trump administration plans to federalize National Guard troops in Chicago, criticized as a move for control rather than public safety.
- Witness accounts describe the raids as inhumane, with children zip-tied and agents showing indifference to their distress.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
### Summary
The article is a collection of blog posts and reports discussing various topics in education, politics, societal issues, and artificial intelligence. It covers concerns over privatization in public education, systemic poverty, government policies, AI's role in education, and community-based solutions to societal challenges.
### Key Points
- Jane Goodall's work revolutionized primatology, reshaping views on humanity and inspiring conservation efforts.
- Nikole Hannah-Jones critiques the normalization of bigotry in politics and its impact on marginalized communities.
- Pete Hegseth's criticism of military standards raises concerns about racial and religious implications of grooming policies.
- Diane Ravitch's new book explores her career and thoughts on education reform, with upcoming discussions planned.
- AI models were evaluated in "The Great AI News Smackdown," with Copilot praised for balanced reporting.
- Deployment of troops to Memphis is criticized for ignoring systemic poverty and focusing on symptoms rather than causes.
- Politicians use children in photo-ops while neglecting substantive policies to support pediatric health and education.
- School reformers are urged to collaborate with teachers and avoid top-down strategies that ignore classroom realities.
- Concerns about UFT health insurance include lack of transparency and potential risks for critical treatments.
- The Trump administration's temporary rights violations undermine democracy and normalize authoritarian practices.
- Dr. P.L. Thomas critiques systemic inequities in education and advocates for progressive reforms.
- Florida's voucher program underestimated costs, straining public schools and taxpayers.
- Rising college costs and declining enrollment highlight challenges in higher education, traced back to Reagan-era policies.
- AI's role in education raises ethical concerns, including reduced creativity and data privacy risks.
- Seattle Public Schools adopt new lunch period policies, with concerns about nepotism and rising costs.
- Tennessee's teacher evaluation system and voucher program face scrutiny for inefficiencies and biases.
- Education Savings Accounts function as vouchers, redirecting public funds from public to private entities.
- Adam Becker's book critiques tech leaders' unrealistic ambitions for AGI and their detachment from humanity.
- San Diego Unified School District's achievements in literacy and math are highlighted as models for statewide success.
- Advocacy for universal free meal programs in schools emphasizes their health and academic benefits.
- Charter school closures reveal systemic failures, including fraud and financial mismanagement.
