Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
I Am Anti-Fascist. https://dianeravitch.net/2025/10/02/i-am-anti-fascist/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch affirms her lifelong anti-fascist stance and defines fascism as promoting hatred, violence, and oppression.
- She supports constitutional freedoms, affordable healthcare, and decent housing as essential democratic principles.
- Readers express solidarity with Ravitch, sharing personal experiences and critiques of fascist movements.
- Discussion on historical and modern fascism, including concerns about political trends and AI biases.
Jennifer Berkshire: The New Orleans Hoax Rises Again https://dianeravitch.net/2025/10/02/jennifer-berkshire-the-new-orleans-hoax/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- The Republican Party has transitioned from supporting public schools to leading privatization efforts, defunding public education and promoting segregation.
- In 2025, 85 of 110 proposed state education laws focused on privatization, with Republicans sponsoring 83 of them.
- ESAs are used for private school tuition, homeschooling, and extracurricular activities, with several states enacting or expanding such programs.
- Legal challenges against voucher programs have emerged in Wyoming, Utah, Montana, Missouri, South Carolina, and Alaska, citing constitutional violations.
- Courts in multiple states have ruled voucher programs unconstitutional, but GOP legislators attempt loopholes to continue funding private education.
- Privatization undermines public schools, leading to instability, fraud, and reduced community cohesion.
The GOP's Shameful Attack on Public Schools https://dianeravitch.net/2025/10/02/the-gops-shameful-attack-on-public-schools/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- The Republican Party has transitioned from supporting public schools to leading privatization efforts, defunding public education and promoting segregation.
- In 2025, 85 of 110 proposed state education laws focused on privatization, with Republicans sponsoring 83 of them.
- ESAs are used for private school tuition, homeschooling, and extracurricular activities, with several states enacting or expanding such programs.
- Legal challenges against voucher programs have emerged in Wyoming, Utah, Montana, Missouri, South Carolina, and Alaska, citing constitutional violations.
- Courts in multiple states have ruled voucher programs unconstitutional, but GOP legislators attempt loopholes to continue funding private education.
- Privatization undermines public schools, leading to instability, fraud, and reduced community cohesion.
SENDING TROOPS TO MEMPHIS THE EQUIVALENT OF SENDING COAL TO NEWCASTLE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/sending-troops-to-memphis-equivalent-of.html
### 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 2, 2025 EDITION - WHO NAILED THE SHUTDOWN SCOOP https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-october-2.html
### Key Points
- Self-efficacy and test anxiety are crucial factors affecting mathematics performance.
- Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt appoints Lindel Fields as superintendent amidst leadership changes in education.
- AI's impact on education is discussed, with concerns about the quality of advice and the rise of MOOCs.
- Analysis of AI models (Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT, Copilot) for news reporting reveals Copilot as the most engaging, though sensational.
- U.S. government shutdown due to disagreements over healthcare funding and Medicaid cuts.
- Middle East tensions, including Gaza flotilla interception and Greta Thunberg's activism.
- Russia-Ukraine conflict raises concerns about nuclear plant safety.
- Teacher pay penalties worsen the national teacher shortage.
- Book bans in U.S. schools target LGBTQ+ themes, with systematic increases reported.
- Earthquake in the Philippines causes significant casualties and rescue efforts.
- Youth protests in Morocco escalate over government spending on the 2030 World Cup.
- Harvard University faces scrutiny over race-based admissions and financial practices.
- ICE facility violence sparks outrage and lawsuits.
- National parks and museums are affected by the government shutdown.
- Supreme Court expands emergency powers, allowing bypass of legal reviews.
Big Education Ape: STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU: A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SAGA https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/stuck-in-middle-with-you-government.html
The article discusses the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, highlighting the political standoff between Democrats and Republicans, its impact on federal workers, and the broader consequences for the economy and public services. It uses a satirical tone to emphasize the absurdity of the situation and the struggles faced by ordinary Americans caught in the middle of the political conflict.
### Key Points
- The government shutdown is portrayed as a political circus, with Democrats and Republicans blaming each other while ordinary citizens suffer.
- Federal workers and public services, such as education grants and healthcare programs, are severely affected by the shutdown.
- The economic repercussions include stock market instability, rising gold prices, and delays in critical assistance programs for low-income families.
- The article uses personal stories (e.g., Sally and Bob) to illustrate the human cost of the shutdown.
- Both parties engage in a blame game, with Democrats focusing on healthcare subsidies and Republicans emphasizing fiscal responsibility and tax cuts.
Big Education Ape: THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: OCTOBER 1, 2025—THE SHUTDOWN SHOWDOWN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-october-1.html
Ohio’s State Investment in Public School Funding Continues to Decline: Erodes Adequacy and Equity | janresseger https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2025/10/02/ohios-state-investment-in-public-school-funding-continues-to-decline-erodes-adequacy-and-equity/
### Key Points
- Senator Paul Wellstone emphasized the moral obligation of providing equal educational opportunities for all children to preserve democracy and shared purpose.
- David Sciarra outlined the need for equitable school funding to address challenges like poverty, disability, and homelessness, ensuring all students receive a constitutional education.
- Ohio's outdated tax law (House Bill 920) has caused property taxes to rise in many districts, creating financial strain for homeowners.
- Governor DeWine’s Property Tax Reform Working Group proposed 20 recommendations to address property tax issues, but legislative efforts remain fragmented.
- Ohio Senate passed a bill banning certain types of school property tax levies, further limiting school districts' ability to generate revenue.
- Ohio Legislature underfunded the Fair School Funding Plan and diverted funds to private school vouchers while reducing state investment in public schools.
- Declining state funding has shifted the burden of school financing onto local property taxpayers, exacerbating inequities.
- Experts suggest fiscal reforms and increased state contributions to balance the state-local funding partnership and reduce reliance on property taxes.
- Ohio's Constitution mandates the state to ensure a thorough and efficient public school system, but legislative actions undermine this responsibility.
Trump’s New “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” Isn’t American at All—It’s Chinese – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/10/02/trumps-compact-for-academic-excellence-in-higher-education-isnt-american-at-all-its-chinese/
### Key Points
- The Compact mirrors China's governance model by leveraging financial control to enforce political directives, risking the independence of U.S. universities.
- The provisions include tuition freezes, standardized testing mandates, restrictions on diversity efforts, caps on international enrollment, and limits on faculty political expression.
- The Compact's financial leverage pressures universities to comply, framing coercion as partnership, and risks turning institutions into tools of political will rather than centers of discovery.
- Specific mandates like banning race/sex considerations, restructuring certain academic units, and favoring STEM disciplines mirror China's restrictive academic policies.
- Signing the Compact sacrifices long-term independence for short-term funding, undermining the foundation of American higher education and democracy.
glen brown: Why Democrats Didn't Cave on Healthcare Tax Credits https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/10/why-democrats-didnt-cave-on-healthcare.html
The article discusses a wide range of topics, including political commentary, social justice, healthcare reform, and the challenges posed by authoritarianism and systemic injustices. It highlights urgent issues such as rising healthcare premiums, the impact of tax credit policies, and the erosion of democratic values. The author emphasizes resistance to oppression, the importance of independent thought, and the role of writers in addressing societal flaws.
### Key Points
- Rising healthcare costs due to changes in tax credit policies could severely impact American families, with examples provided across states like Texas, Maine, and Ohio.
- The urgency of extending healthcare tax credits is underscored as insurance rates are being set for 2026 enrollment.
- The blog advocates for opposition movements against reckless policy changes and authoritarian tendencies, encouraging reader support through subscriptions.
- Historical and contemporary critiques of authoritarianism, fascism, and systemic oppression, with references to figures like Chris Hedges and Howard Zinn.
- A diverse taxonomy of issues covered, including pensions, social justice, education reform, environmental concerns, and political scandals.
Schools Matter: Trump’s Shiny Object of the Day: http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/10/trumps-shiny-object-of-day.html
Teacher Tom: The Central Project of Every Civilization That Has Ever Existed https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-central-project-of-every.html
### Key Points
- Cooperative preschools involve parents as active participants, creating a high adult-to-child ratio and fostering collaboration between teachers and parents.
- Teacher Tom describes his experience in cooperative preschools, feeling supported by parents as colleagues rather than overwhelmed by them as "bosses."
- Cooperative principles can apply beyond preschools, offering alternatives to capitalism by prioritizing collaboration and long-term institutional health.
- Cooperative institutions focus on people working together rather than hierarchical relationships, fostering community and mutual support.
- The cooperative preschool model exemplifies the central project of every civilization: caring for children within a supportive community.
- Teacher Tom offers a course, "Partnering With Parents," to help educators create collaborative relationships with families.
Education Education appears to have a long-lasting protective effect in cognitive aging, even at 90+ years - Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
### Key Points
- Education has a protective effect on cognitive aging, with higher educational attainment linked to better cognitive performance in individuals aged 90+. Midlife and old-age cardiovascular risk factors showed inconsistent associations with cognition.
- Positive views of adolescence, particularly in cultures emphasizing family responsibilities, improve teens’ academic performance, motivation, and parent-teen bonds. Promoting responsibility-oriented narratives can benefit youth development globally.
- Subtitling foreign TV content significantly enhances English language acquisition compared to dubbing, with long-term effects on proficiency across speaking and comprehension skills.
- Universal free school meals improve public health by reducing high blood pressure among students, particularly those from low-income families, due to increased participation and better nutrition.
- Teens misusing antihistamines for hallucinatory effects face severe health risks. Parents and healthcare professionals are urged to safeguard medications and educate youth on the dangers of misuse.
- Menstruation education programs like Period Prepared enhance adolescents' confidence, reduce stigma, and prepare them for bodily changes through practical activities and discussions.
- A University of Phoenix initiative maps students’ skills to job requirements, boosting confidence in applications and recruiter efficiency through verified skills records and transparent matching processes.
This message notifies of the award for the 2025–26 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) second allocation. The list of grant recipients is posted on the California Department of Education (CDE) Funding Results FFVP web page. https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/ffvpk2ndallocationfund.asp
### Key Points
- The second allocation of FFVP funding for 2025–26 was announced, totaling $60.50 per student when combined with the first allocation.
- Grant Award Notification (GAN) letters will be sent to superintendents, who must complete an e-signature process within 10 business days using Adobe Sign. Claims for the second allocation will not be processed until this step is completed.
- FFVP grants were awarded to 493 elementary school sites based on free and reduced-price meal eligibility criteria, with funding determined by enrollment numbers.
- The FFVP provides free fresh fruit or vegetable snacks to students during the school day and covers the period from October 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
- Additional updates include USDA Foods participation elections for 2026–27, product recalls, and training resources from Team Nutrition.
Shanker Blog: The Mindsets We Bring to Understanding Reading Laws | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/mindsets
- The article discusses common misunderstandings and debates surrounding reading legislation, emphasizing the importance of aligning instructional practices and materials with scientific evidence to improve student reading outcomes.
- Supporters of reading legislation advocate for evidence-based instructional methods, such as explicit phonics instruction, while critics highlight systemic barriers like poverty and argue that many educators already use effective methods.
- The article explores challenges in selecting high-quality instructional materials, emphasizing the need for curated lists, professional development, and meaningful educator input in decision-making processes.
- It stresses that while each child is unique, certain instructional features, such as explicit sound-letter correspondence instruction, are universal for effective reading development.
- The article highlights the importance of combining systematic reading instruction with motivation, engagement, and inclusiveness to meet diverse student needs and improve outcomes.
- Screening and assessment are necessary but insufficient without comprehensive supports and observations from teachers and parents.
- Aligning instructional practices with scientific consensus is essential for professionalizing teaching and improving reading outcomes, despite evolving science and other systemic challenges.
Choosing Democracy: Sacramento Anti Ice Protest https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2025/10/sacramento-anti-ice-protest.html
### Key Points
- Local organizations held a rally at Sacramento's federal courthouse to oppose ICE's alleged racial profiling and lawless actions against immigrants.
- The Supreme Court ruling allows ICE agents to conduct 'roving patrols' based on discriminatory factors like race, language, and occupation.
- The Board of Immigration Appeals issued a decision expanding mandatory detention for noncitizens, separating families and communities.
- Speakers at the rally emphasized the need for community solidarity, clean governance, and legislative action to protect immigrants.
- The Trump administration defended its enforcement policies, citing court victories and campaign promises. Critics called these actions a violation of civil liberties.
- NorCal Resist has been providing mutual aid to immigrant families, including legal defense and basic needs support, amid rising ICE arrests in Northern California.
TRUMP SENDING TROOPS TO MEMPHIS THE EQUIVALENT OF SENDING COAL TO NEWCASTLE https://ru4people.substack.com/p/trump-sending-troops-to-memphis
### Key Points
- The Trump administration’s deployment of troops to Memphis is seen as unnecessary and ineffective, likened to "sending coal to Newcastle."
- Critics argue that militarization erodes community trust and fails to address systemic causes of crime like poverty and lack of opportunity.
- Past federal law enforcement surges have shown temporary effects but no long-term safety improvements without community-focused solutions.
- Poverty and violence in Memphis are tied to systemic issues like income inequality, racial disparities, and historical disinvestment.
- Evidence shows that safety net programs and investments in education, housing, and economic stability significantly reduce poverty and violence.
- A federal focus on economic empowerment and opportunity, rather than enforcement, is proposed as a sustainable solution for Memphis.
CURMUDGUCATION: "Reinventing Education for the Age of AI" (or Building a Better MOOC) https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/10/reinventing-education-for-age-of-ai-or.html
### Key Points
- The article criticizes the widespread hype surrounding AI in education and the unrealistic expectations placed on AI's capabilities.
- The authors propose "interactionalism," a human-centered approach to learning that emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, creativity, and feedback.
- They argue that the traditional education model is outdated and needs to shift towards personalized and interactive learning.
- The authors claim AI can act as a "co-creator" in education, asking questions and refining ideas, but the article disputes this, asserting AI lacks genuine thinking and creativity.
- The article critiques the notion that memorization is unnecessary in the age of instant internet access, emphasizing the importance of foundational knowledge.
- The three pillars of "interactionalism" include dialogical learning (AI-driven conversations), interactive skill building (developing human traits with AI tools), and meta-human skills (emotional management and AI refinement). The author questions the effectiveness of AI in these areas.
- The proposed curriculum is described as dynamic, adaptive, and co-created, but the article challenges the necessity of AI for these features, which have been part of education for decades.
- The article criticizes the idea of AI conducting assessments, arguing it cannot provide meaningful insights or human connection.
- The authors claim AI sharpens education's mission, but the article disputes this, asserting that AI does not enhance the social and human aspects of learning.
- The article highlights the failure of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) as a parallel example of isolated, AI-driven learning models.
- It concludes that AI's primary role in education seems to be reducing costs and increasing scalability, rather than improving the quality of education.
The Big (Education) Apple My trip to NYC for Books, Basslines, and the Beat of Justice https://jessehagopian.substack.com/p/the-big-education-apple
- The author reflects on the interconnected nature of struggles for liberation, inspired by the perspective gained from visiting the Empire State Building's observation deck.
- A visit to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture included a discussion with Brian Jones and Bettina Love about Black history, the Haitian Revolution, and the dual threads of the Black freedom struggle.
- The author received the William Sloane Coffin, Jr. Peacemaker Award, honoring their ancestors and advocating for Palestine amidst the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
- A surprise invitation to the Village Vanguard jazz club highlighted the improvisational beauty of music as a metaphor for freedom and creativity.
- The author's NYC trip encapsulated themes of perspective, struggle, art, and the fight for liberation across different levels and experiences.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
The article is a compilation of various topics, including political developments, education reforms, AI journalism, societal issues, and reflections on democracy. It covers controversies such as the U.S. government shutdown, the Trump administration's policies, urban solutions by Zohran Mamdani, and the impact of universal free meal programs on student health. It also critiques the misuse of AI in education and explores historical moments of courage.
### Key Points
- An Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals affirmed a libel verdict against The Oklahoman, reducing damages from $25 million to $7.5 million.
- Trump and Pete Hegseth delivered speeches to military leaders emphasizing outdated standards, targeting DEI programs, and proposing authoritarian measures.
- The Trump administration plans to cut federal funding to Harvard University, citing antisemitism claims, which Harvard disputes.
- RFK Jr.’s MAHA movement promotes public health but faces criticism for vaccine hesitancy and controversial beliefs.
- Zohran Mamdani proposes urban reforms like free buses, rent freezes, and city-run grocery stores to address systemic failures.
- Universal free meal programs in schools improve student health, reducing high blood pressure and enhancing academic performance.
- The Roberts Court under Chief Justice John Roberts is critiqued for favoring elites and undermining democratic processes.
- The Quantico meeting led by Trump and Hegseth focused on loyalty tests, targeting dissenters and enforcing ideological reforms in the military.
- The U.S. government shutdown highlights political dysfunction, impacting federal workers, public services, and the economy.
- AI models compete in news reporting, with Gemini excelling in accuracy and Copilot standing out for creativity.
- Teacher Tom advocates for risky play in childhood development, emphasizing collaboration with parents.
- Historical examples like Rosa Parks and the Berlin Wall illustrate the importance of readiness for moments of courage.
- The Trump administration accelerates cuts to federal education grants promoting DEI, disrupting programs in special education and literacy.
- College students misuse AI tools for academic work, prompting universities to return to traditional assessments.
- Charter school closures reveal systemic failures, with allegations of financial mismanagement and fraud.
- Zohran Mamdani’s NYC mayoral campaign focuses on public school reforms and opposing charter school expansion.
- The Sandy Hook Promise PSA highlights school shooting anxieties, advocating for safer schools.
