Big Education Ape: TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POST NOVEMBER 14, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/todays-top-news-yesterdays-best-blog_01942317379.html
The article compiles a wide range of topics, including politics, education, healthcare, technology, and global affairs as of November 2025. It highlights significant developments such as the U.S. government shutdown resolution, educational reforms, controversies surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's files, and advancements in AI technology. The content also explores systemic issues like absenteeism in schools, public school funding challenges, and ongoing healthcare debates.### Key Points
- The U.S. government shutdown ended after 43 days, with bipartisan funding legislation restoring federal operations.
- Emails from Jeffrey Epstein's estate implicate Donald Trump in connections to Epstein, raising questions about his involvement and lack of thorough investigation by the Department of Justice.
- Ohio voters rejected far-right "culture warrior" candidates in school board elections, signaling support for public schools and opposition to divisive agendas.
- Gina Hinojosa, a Democratic candidate for Texas governor, campaigns against school voucher programs, emphasizing public school funding and fair political representation.
- Pennsylvania implemented reforms to cyber charter school funding and accountability, addressing concerns about overfunding and spending inefficiencies.
- Chronic absenteeism in Michigan schools worsened post-pandemic, with economic disparity and lack of engagement as key factors. Indiana’s stricter policies were compared.
- Medicare for All is proposed as a solution to systemic healthcare inequities, with the article critiquing the inefficiencies of the current U.S. healthcare system.
- AI advancements, such as personalized learning tools, are reshaping education, but concerns about equity and reliance on AI persist.
- Teacher Tom emphasizes the importance of risk-taking, cooperation, and play-based learning environments for children.
- Mike Feinberg, co-founder of KIPP, admits harm caused by the KIPP model, shifting his focus to vocational training programs for marginalized communities.
- The California Department of Education updated eligibility criteria for differentiated assistance under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).
- The U.S. Mint discontinued penny production, citing economic inefficiency, with the article exploring cultural and economic implications through satire.
- Advanced learning programs, nepotism, and board dysfunction in Seattle Public Schools were highlighted, with criticism directed at The Stranger's endorsements.
- Public school students in Ohio are receiving $1.6 billion less in funding than 15 years ago due to prioritization of charter schools and vouchers.
Big Education Ape: MORNING NEWS UPDATE: NOVEMBER 14, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/morning-news-update-november-14-2025.html
News updates cover topics ranging from education and politics to global affairs, economics, and technology. Key highlights include the end of a record-long U.S. government shutdown, geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East, economic challenges under the Trump administration, advancements in education policy, and major sports achievements.### Key Points
- Education discussions include school choice limitations, teacher shortages, and links between housing evictions and student challenges.
- U.S. government operations resume after a 43-day shutdown, with ongoing economic disruptions and affordability concerns.
- Global tensions rise with Russia's attacks on Kyiv, Iran seizing an oil tanker, and Sudan's escalating civil war death toll.
- Economic uncertainty persists due to inflation, AI investment concerns, and stock market fluctuations.
- Advances in healthcare research highlight autoimmune disease treatments, anxiety insights, and chronic illness visa policies.
- Sports updates include Purdue's basketball win, Shohei Ohtani's MVP celebration, and India's archery gold medal victory.
Big Education Ape: THE LAST PENNY IN AMERICA: NO MORE COMMON CENTS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-last-penny-in-america-no-more.html
The article is a satirical and whimsical narration surrounding the discontinuation of the penny in the United States, a decision signed into action by President Donald Trump in 2025. It humorously explores the cultural, economic, and political implications of this move, weaving in fictional characters like Percy the Penny and Zelda the street performer to personify the penny’s journey and its societal impact. The story blends satire, historical references, and commentary on inflation, politics, and public sentiment, culminating in a reflection on the value of small things and the changes they signify.
### Key Points
- The penny was officially discontinued in 2025 under President Trump’s administration, citing economic inefficiency.
- The story uses a fictional penny named Percy to narrate the journey and societal reactions to the penny’s demise.
- The satire critiques inflation, political decisions, and public reactions, including protests and debates about the penny’s removal.
- The narrative highlights how businesses and society adapted to the change, with some lamenting the loss and others seeing it as progress.
- The article mixes humor, political satire, and reflections on economic policies and their cultural impact.
Big Education Ape: TODAY'S TOP NEWS - YESTERDAY'S BEST BLOG POST NOVEMBER 13, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/11/todays-top-news-yesterdays-best-blog_01160914311.html
The article compiles a wide range of political, social, educational, economic, and global developments as of November 2025. Key topics include the U.S. government shutdown resolution, education reforms, healthcare debates, international conflicts, and technological advancements. It highlights significant events, policy challenges, and ideological divides shaping various domains.
Improving Everyday Life With Small Levers – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/11/14/improving-everyday-life-with-small-levers/
Improving Everyday Life With Small Levers### Key Points
- Archimedes’ principle of leverage highlights how small, deliberate actions in the right place can create significant change in both physical and social systems.
- Systems thinking involves identifying where small actions can have the greatest impact, such as listening, offering encouragement, or changing habits.
- Real transformation is achieved through consistent influence and small nudges, rather than dramatic control or force.
- Influence grows through empathy, trust, and shared networks, allowing people to collaborate and create collective change.
- Leadership is redefined as initiative combined with empathy, and it can be practiced by anyone in their immediate circles to effect meaningful change.
- Small, intentional actions by ordinary individuals accumulate over time, creating ripples of change in personal, relational, and societal contexts.
- Large-scale problems can be addressed by focusing on smaller systems and leveraging opportunities within immediate surroundings.
- Julian Vasquez Heilig, the author, emphasizes equity and justice through his scholarly and advocacy work.
Teacher Tom: The Vital Power of "Followership" https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-vital-power-of-followership.html
The article by Teacher Tom discusses the importance of "followership" in early childhood education. It highlights how children alternate between roles of leaders and followers, emphasizing that followership is as vital as leadership. The article explores the concept of being inspired by others, making thoughtful choices about whom to follow, and the significance of empowering children to follow meaningfully rather than blindly. It also references a video by Derek Sivers illustrating how a "first follower" can transform an individual into a leader, creating a collective movement. Teacher Tom underscores the need to nurture both leadership and followership skills in children, allowing them to make independent judgments and engage in collaborative growth.### Key Points
- Followership is a crucial skill, as most people spend more time following than leading.
- Being inspired by others and making thoughtful decisions about whom to follow is foundational for meaningful human activity.
- Teachers play a leadership role but often succeed when children follow each other, not just the teacher.
- Derek Sivers' video illustrates how a "first follower" transforms a lone individual into a leader, emphasizing the power of followership in creating movements.
- Empowering children to choose when and whom to follow helps them develop critical thinking and prevents blind obedience.
glen brown: “What kind of Democrat are you?” https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/11/what-kind-of-democrat-are-you.html
The article is a mix of political critique, reflections on Democratic strategies, and broader societal concerns. It critiques moderate Democrats for their perceived lack of resolve in critical moments, emphasizes the need for Democrats to adopt a fighting spirit, and highlights the importance of clear, authentic messaging to counter MAGA influence. It also touches on various topics such as pensions, healthcare, social justice, and political dynamics.### Key Points
- The article criticizes "moderate Democrats" for caving on important issues, arguing that their actions undermine the fight for democracy and embolden MAGA autocrats.
- It calls for Democrats to define themselves as fighters for democracy, focusing on bold reforms like eliminating the filibuster and addressing critical issues like voting rights and healthcare.
- The article highlights the importance of authenticity, grassroots organizing, and a focus on affordability to connect with voters and win elections.
- It reflects on the failures of Democratic leadership, particularly Chuck Schumer, and suggests the need for stronger, more determined leaders.
- The piece underscores the urgency of resisting Republican cruelty and corruption while emphasizing unity within the Democratic Party to sustain victories.
What Really Really Limits School Choice PETER GREENE https://curmudgucation.substack.com/p/what-really-really-limits-school
What Really Limits School Choice### Key Points
- EdChoice explores the barriers to school choice but fails to address the root causes effectively.
- Bureaucratic friction, unclear rules, and poor communication hinder participation in school choice programs, but many barriers are deliberately created by schools themselves.
- Schools may use administrative hurdles, like complex applications or narrow enrollment windows, to exclude certain families.
- Voucher school tuition inflation and lack of marketing awareness also limit access to choice programs.
- Proposed solutions include better outreach, choice navigators, and clearer program guidelines, but these don’t address the systemic issues.
- The real barriers to school choice are created by private and charter schools, as well as legislators who prioritize their interests over equitable access.
- True school choice would require schools accepting public funds to admit all students, provide sufficient funding, and ensure accountability, but current systems favor business interests over families.
Absence Makes the Smart go Wander Thinking about why kids miss school NANCY FLANAGAN https://flanagann.substack.com/p/absence-makes-the-smart-go-wander
Absenteeism among Michigan schoolchildren has reached alarming levels, with over a quarter of students being chronically absent post-pandemic. The article explores the reasons behind absenteeism, the measures taken by Indiana to combat it, and the challenges faced by schools in addressing attendance issues. It also highlights the role of socioeconomic factors, parental involvement, and the need for community-building efforts to encourage attendance.
### Key Points
- Michigan schools face high absenteeism rates, with over 388,000 students chronically absent in the last year, exacerbated by the pandemic.
- Indiana has implemented stricter measures, including legal actions and support services like transportation and healthcare, to reduce absenteeism effectively.
- Socioeconomic factors, such as poverty, are closely tied to absenteeism rates, with disadvantaged students more likely to miss school.
- Over a third of Michigan charter schools struggle with attendance, contributing significantly to statewide absenteeism issues.
- The focus on test scores as a measure of absenteeism's impact overlooks deeper issues like why students skip school and how to address their needs.
- Parental behaviors and community support play a major role in improving attendance, especially for younger students.
- The debate over excusing absences for vacations highlights differing perspectives between parents and teachers on the value of classroom time.
- Privilege and individual circumstances, such as unique opportunities or challenges, also influence school attendance decisions.
F*CK ANTISEMITISM: IF YOU’RE NOT P*SSED OFF, YOU’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION
### Key Points
- Antisemitism is a persistent and dangerous issue, not just a historical relic, and needs urgent attention and condemnation.
- Hating an entire group based on religion or ethnicity is irrational and harmful; anger at governments should not translate to hatred toward people.
- It is essential to distinguish between criticizing policies (e.g., Israeli government) and being antisemitic, as Jews are not a monolith.
- Antisemitism in America has a long, troubling history, from early colonial times to modern hate crimes and coded discrimination.
- Post-WWII saw a decrease in overt antisemitism, but it resurged in the 21st century, fueled by diverse ideological groups.
- Antisemitism is a societal problem that affects everyone; allowing hatred against one group sets a precedent for targeting others.
- Combating antisemitism involves calling it out, educating oneself, separating ideas from individuals, and promoting empathy and kindness.
THE LAST PENNY: A MONUMENT TO COMMON CENTS LOST https://ru4people.substack.com/p/the-last-penny-a-monument-to-common?sort=new
The article humorously recounts the events surrounding the abolition of the penny in the United States in 2025, under Donald Trump's presidency. It highlights the economic inefficiency of the penny, the public's mixed reactions, and the cultural and practical impacts of its removal, including changes to idioms, retail rounding disputes, and the rise of penny hoarding.### Key Points
- The penny was abolished in 2025 due to its economic inefficiency, costing more to produce than its face value.
- Trump's administration justified the move with bold declarations, sparking both support from economists and outrage from sentimentalists.
- The absence of the penny disrupted idiomatic expressions and caused linguistic adjustments, such as replacing “a penny saved is a penny earned” with “a nickel saved.”
- Retailers faced chaos with rounding policies, leading to customer complaints and creative bargain-hunting strategies.
- Americans began hoarding pennies, treating them as collectible items, while Coinstar machines saw increased activity.
- Wishing wells and fountains saw a decline in activity, with some adopting digital alternatives like QR codes for wishes.
- The nickel’s production cost raised concerns about its future, while the move saved the U.S. $56 million annually.
- The penny’s abolition was portrayed as a symbolic shift towards practicality, despite its minimal financial impact on the federal budget.
WHY WE NEED UNIVERSAL ON-DEMAND FREE EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE AGE OF AI OR, HOW TO OUTRUN OUR AI ROBOT OVERLORDS AND WIN THE FUTURE https://ru4people.substack.com/p/why-we-need-universal-on-demand-free
The article argues for universal, on-demand, free education and training as a necessary response to the rapid advancements in AI technology. It emphasizes the need for lifelong learning to adapt to the evolving job market, proposing education reform as a societal, economic, and moral imperative to prepare workers for the AI-driven future.
### Key Points
- AI is rapidly replacing jobs at unprecedented speeds, necessitating universal, on-demand, free education and training to keep the workforce relevant.
- Technological revolutions have historically created new jobs, but these new roles require skills that the current education system is not equipped to provide.
- Societal investment in retraining displaced workers is a moral obligation and a practical necessity to avoid economic and social instability.
- Education is an investment with high economic returns, as it leads to increased productivity, innovation, and reduced reliance on social services.
- AI can make education cheaper and more accessible through personalized learning, adaptive curricula, and virtual reality training.
- The concept of education must shift to lifelong, on-demand learning with flexible formats, micro-credentials, and recognition of prior experience.
- Free education alone is insufficient; additional support like living stipends, career counseling, mental health services, and childcare is essential.
- AI itself can be a tool to deliver personalized, scalable education while creating new job opportunities in AI-related fields.
- Without action, the future could see a divided society with AI-enabled elites and widespread unemployment and inequality.
- Success requires federal legislation, public-private partnerships, infrastructure investment, and a cultural shift toward lifelong education.
WELL, THERE YOU GO AGAIN THE NEVER-ENDING SAGA OF AMERICAN HEALTHCARE https://ru4people.substack.com/p/well-there-you-go-again
WELL, THERE YOU GO AGAIN: THE NEVER-ENDING SAGA OF AMERICAN HEALTHCARE### Key Points
- The debate over healthcare in the U.S. remains a contentious and unresolved issue, often compared to a never-ending soap opera.
- The core question in the healthcare debate is whether healthcare should be considered a right or a privilege, with the current U.S. system being a fragmented mix of public and private interests.
- Historical attempts at healthcare reform, from Teddy Roosevelt to Barack Obama, highlight repeated failures due to political opposition, ideological divides, and powerful industry stakeholders.
- Medicare for All is proposed as a potential solution, promising universal coverage and cost savings, but faces resistance from industries and politicians benefiting from the current system.
- Critics argue over the cost of Medicare for All, despite evidence that universal healthcare systems in other countries are more cost-effective and lead to better health outcomes.
- The article advocates for phasing in Medicare for All, starting with vulnerable groups, to address systemic issues and make healthcare accessible to all Americans.
Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Performance: Have the Common Core Standards Changed How Teachers Teach? | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/have-common
The article explores the impact of the Common Core standards on teaching practices in the U.S., highlighting the challenges in implementing these reforms effectively and evaluating their success. It critiques the assumption that policy adoption directly translates into changes in classroom teaching and emphasizes the need for more direct observations and evaluations of teaching practices.### Key Points
- The article discusses the historical focus of education reforms on changing teaching practices to improve student learning outcomes.
- It highlights the introduction of the Common Core standards, adopted by most U.S. states since 2010, and the expectation that these would lead to improved academic performance.
- The article emphasizes that teachers are the key agents in implementing these standards and that merely mandating changes is insufficient.
- It criticizes the reliance on test scores to measure the success of the reforms, arguing that these do not reveal how teachers teach.
- Surveys and studies, such as the RAND survey, indicate little change in teaching practices despite the adoption of the standards.
- The article concludes that there is no clear evidence of significant changes or improvements in teaching practices due to the Common Core standards as of 2025.
Known Doesn’t Mean Protected https://norinrad10.com/2025/11/14/known-doesnt-mean-protected/ via @norinrad10
The article discusses the shortcomings of Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) in handling student safety and accountability, particularly in light of a tragic school shooting at Antioch High School. It critiques leadership failures, the inadequate response to violence, and the undervaluation of students' lives. Additionally, it touches on issues of free speech, teacher reinstatement, and stagnant graduation rates, particularly among Hispanic students.### Key Points
- The slogan "Every child known" by MNPS is criticized for not equating to "every child valued," highlighting leadership failures in protecting students despite knowing warning signs.
- The Antioch High School shooting revealed systemic neglect, with the district failing to act on prior violent behavior by the shooter. Efforts like the EVOLVE system were implemented too late.
- A lawsuit filed by the victim's family resulted in a $300,000 settlement, less than half the maximum allowable, raising questions about the district's accountability and valuation of life.
- MNPS leadership's response to safety measures and the lawsuit reflects a lack of ownership and responsibility for failures.
- Free speech issues were highlighted through the suspension and reinstatement of teachers following controversial social media posts, showcasing the tension between protected speech and community backlash.
- MNPS's graduation rates show stagnation, with Hispanic students experiencing a significant decline, despite other groups showing improvement. Leadership blamed state policies rather than addressing internal shortcomings.
Baristas on Strike on the Front Page. Starbucks’ “Here’s to Baristas” Holiday Ad on the Back — Anything to Avoid a Union Contract. The struggle baristas are brewing is part of a larger fight for worker's power. JESSE HAGOPIAN https://jessehagopian.substack.com/p/baristas-on-strike-on-the-front-page
The article discusses the ongoing labor struggle involving Starbucks baristas, highlighting their fight for fair treatment, better wages, and union representation. It critiques Starbucks’ public relations efforts, such as a holiday ad campaign, which contrasts with the company’s alleged union-busting practices and refusal to meet worker demands. The piece also emphasizes the broader implications of this labor movement in addressing systemic inequality and supporting workers' rights.### Key Points
- Striking Starbucks baristas are demanding better hours, higher take-home pay, and accountability for union-busting practices.
- Starbucks’ holiday ad campaign claims to celebrate baristas but ignores their demands, instead serving as corporate PR.
- The Seattle Times article inadequately covers the union’s demands, favoring Starbucks’ narrative.
- Starbucks has a history of labor law violations and recently imposed restrictive policies without bargaining.
- The broader labor struggle reflects growing inequality and the fight for workers’ dignity and power.
- Suggestions for supporting baristas include boycotting Starbucks, joining picket lines, and supporting the union’s efforts.
