JANUARY 14, 2026
- Ongoing nationwide protests against aggressive ICE operations, including the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on January 8, which has sparked marches, demands to limit ICE in schools, and tribal demands for the release of detained members.
- Claudette Colvin, a key civil rights pioneer who refused to give up her bus seat in 1955 (preceding Rosa Parks), has died at age 86.
- Supreme Court signals likely support for state bans on transgender athletes in school sports, following oral arguments.
- Arrest and related fallout from an arson attack on Mississippi's oldest synagogue.
- Federal judge allows major offshore wind farm work to resume amid Trump administration efforts to halt it.
- Supreme Court expected to issue rulings today on President Trump's sweeping global tariffs and other major cases.
- Trump doubles down on threats of intervention in Iran amid protests, telling demonstrators "help is on its way" and imposing or threatening 25% tariffs on countries trading with Iran.
- Intensified feud between Trump and Minnesota officials (including Gov. Tim Walz) over the ICE shooting and immigration enforcement.
- DOJ prosecutors resign in protest over handling of the ICE shooting investigation.
- Ongoing debates over transgender athlete bans and other social issues reaching the Supreme Court.
- Iran's anti-government protests continue with a ruthless crackdown; death toll estimates rise significantly (activists report over 2,500), Trump urges protesters to "take over institutions" and threatens strong U.S. action.
- Trump threatens military intervention in Iran and imposes tariffs on nations trading with it.
- Broader geopolitical tensions, including U.S. actions in Venezuela (post-Maduro capture) and threats regarding Greenland.
- Food aid resuming in Gaza post-ceasefire, but distribution challenges persist amid ongoing humanitarian concerns.
- Supreme Court appears poised to uphold state-level bans on transgender athletes in school sports.
- Discussions around ICE's presence in schools and related protests/demands to keep immigration enforcement out of educational settings.
- Ongoing impacts from federal policy shifts on higher education, including potential changes to funding and accountability frameworks.
- Markets steady but volatile amid threats to Federal Reserve independence (including potential indictments) and tariff policies.
- Dollar weakens; gold hits records amid uncertainty over Fed probes and global tensions.
- Projections for global growth slowing to around 2.7% in 2026, with U.S. growth near 2%, influenced by trade barriers and policy uncertainty.
- AI integration and tools highlighted in various contexts, including potential uses in health and broader applications.
- Ongoing CES 2026 recaps emphasize AI-driven gadgets, wearables, and computing advancements from the recent show.
- Broader discussions on AI's role in consumer tech and potential regulatory or market impacts.
- Cancer treatments continue to advance, with discussions on improved drugs, surgery, radiation, and immunotherapy making diagnoses less daunting.
- Broader concerns over public health policies, including potential vaccine schedule changes and federal agency shifts.
- Rising focus on food as medicine and GLP-1 medications for chronic conditions.
- U.S. Figure Skating team updates ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, with athletes like Ilia Malinin highlighted.
- Ongoing college and pro basketball action, including key matchups.
- Preparations and discussions for major 2026 events like the Winter Olympics and FIFA World Cup.
Jennifer Berkshire: The Schools Are Failing! (Again!) https://dianeravitch.net/2026/01/13/jennifer-berkshire-the-schools-are-failing-again/ via @dianeravitch
- Jennifer Berkshire critiques the recurring narrative of public education failure, highlighting how critics blame students, teachers, and schools rather than addressing the failures of decades-long education reforms.
- The article discusses the long history of public education criticism in America, tracing it back to the 1870s, and highlights recurring themes such as concerns over costs, declining standards, and the demographic shifts in education.
- A coalition of political and social groups, including affluent moderates and conservative rural voters, is influencing education debates, particularly around higher education and the belief that "the wrong kids" are in college.
- Billionaires are increasingly influencing state education policies, such as through direct political investments or public campaigns, raising concerns about their outsized role in shaping education reform.
- Contradictory data on student performance, such as rising test scores alongside claims of declining skills, fuels a "hot take" economy that oversimplifies complex education issues.
- The neoliberal approach to education reform, focusing on accountability and choice, has reached exhaustion, but no clear alternative has emerged, creating instability in education policy and broader political implications.
- The resurgence of race-based intelligence theories and genetic determinism reflects a historical pattern of blaming societal issues on schools when broader structural inequalities are ignored.
- Education has often been used as a substitute for addressing deeper economic and social inequalities, but this approach is increasingly being questioned as economic mobility declines.
Rachel Maddow Investigates the "Real Reason" that Trump Invaded Venezuela https://dianeravitch.net/2026/01/13/rachel-maddow-investigates-the-real-reason-that-trump-invaded-venezuela/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Rachel Maddow investigates the reasons behind Trump’s invasion of Venezuela, questioning the motives for detaining President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
- The blog features posts on other topics, including education reform, school funding disparities, and political commentary.
- Diane Ravitch’s blog is a platform for discussing education, democracy, and current political events, attracting significant readership with over 43 million hits.
### Key Points
- Margaret Hoover interviewed Elliot Abrams on her program "Firing Line," discussing Trump's invasion of Venezuela.
- Abrams criticized Trump for not consulting Congress and questioned the selective targeting of Maduro and his wife while leaving other corrupt leaders in power.
- Abrams doubted the feasibility of reviving Venezuela's oil industry and highlighted the reluctance of American oil companies to invest.
- Diane Ravitch recommends watching the interview for a fascinating perspective on the topic.
Trump's Dept. of Ed. Waives Some Federal Oversight for Iowa: A New Trend? https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2026/01/13/trumps-dept-of-ed-waives-some-federal-oversight-for-iowa-a-new-trend/ via @janresseger
### Key Points
- Public schools are essential for fostering equality and preparing students for citizenship, despite their imperfections.
- Federal oversight, established through laws like the Civil Rights Act and programs under the U.S. Department of Education, has historically addressed educational inequities.
- The Trump administration, under Education Secretary Linda McMahon, has sought to reduce federal oversight by promoting state control and school choice, often at odds with federal law.
- Iowa received a federal waiver to consolidate funding from specific grants, reducing compliance requirements and allowing more state discretion.
- Critics worry that reduced federal oversight could harm vulnerable student groups, such as English language learners, and weaken protections for civil rights.
- The waiver represents a potential trend toward broader deregulation of federal education funding, though its immediate impact is limited.
Social, family and health factors behind teen bullying Education Research Report https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/
Bullying in U.S. schools remains a critical issue with lasting effects on mental, physical, and social health. A study by Florida Atlantic University highlighted risk factors such as socioeconomic challenges, mental health issues, and family dynamics. Effective interventions require evidence-based strategies, cultural sensitivity, and greater parental involvement alongside strong school policies.
A study in Uttar Pradesh, India, demonstrated that supervised implementation of computer-assisted learning (CAL) platforms significantly improved student engagement and mathematics achievement, emphasizing the importance of organizational support for scalable ed-tech solutions.
GenAI tools are increasingly used by postgraduate students for critical reading revision, with selective engagement in analytical dimensions influenced by academic goals and external demands. The study highlights the role of teacher guidance and student agency in fostering critical thinking.
Smartphone use during school hours among U.S. adolescents averages over an hour daily, primarily on social media apps. Disparities in usage were observed based on race, income, and age. Future studies are needed to explore the impact of school policies on smartphone use and academic outcomes.
### Key Points
- California’s TUPE program reduced youth tobacco use by 20% overall and vaping by 23%, emphasizing the importance of school-based prevention efforts.
- Bullying among U.S. adolescents is linked to socioeconomic factors, mental health challenges, and family dynamics, requiring culturally sensitive interventions and parental involvement.
- Supervised implementation of CAL platforms in India led to substantial learning gains, highlighting the role of organizational structures in ed-tech success.
- GenAI tools assist postgraduate students in critical reading revision, with selective engagement influenced by academic goals and external requirements.
- U.S. adolescents spend over an hour daily on smartphones during school, primarily on social media apps, with disparities based on race, income, and age.
Charter School Closes Leaving Families Without a School - Network For Public Education https://networkforpubliceducation.org/charter-school-closes-leaving-families-without-a-school/
- Legends Charter Academy closed abruptly, leaving families without a school to attend.
- The school faced financial troubles for years, running significant deficits despite being in a state with generous charter school funding.
- Millions of dollars were unaccounted for when the school closed, raising concerns about audit oversight and lack of communication with families.
- The situation highlights the urgent need for charter school reform to prevent similar issues in the future.
Teacher Tom: "Strewing Our World With Rich Materials . . . Weaving Them Into Our Thoughts" http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2026/01/strewing-our-world-with-rich-materials.html
### Key Points
- Teacher Tom critiques brain-training games, suggesting they improve specific skills rather than overall cognitive sharpness.
- He shares personal experiences with test-taking, emphasizing strategies over true learning.
- Teacher Tom advocates for providing children with rich environments and allowing them the freedom to explore and learn independently.
- He references Annie Murphy Paul's book, "The Extended Mind," aligning it with the Theory of Loose Parts and his teaching philosophy.
- Teacher Tom promotes his workshops and resources for educators and parents to support play-based learning.
glen brown: "Get this lunatic under wraps before he ruins it for everyone" https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2026/01/get-this-lunatic-under-wraps-before-he.html
### Key Points
- U.S. immigration agents have been using banned chokeholds and other dangerous tactics, causing harm and fatalities.
- These tactics were officially prohibited by the Department of Homeland Security in 2023 but have resurfaced during mass deportation campaigns.
- Federal agents often act with anonymity, wearing masks and fatigues, which raises concerns about accountability.
- Government officials have defended the agents’ actions, citing adherence to training, despite evidence to the contrary.
- There is no comprehensive tracking of incidents involving the use of these tactics, making it difficult to assess their prevalence over time.
Science of Reading: Silver Bullet or Fool's Gold "If you repeat a lie often enough it becomes truth" PAUL THOMAS https://substack.com/home/post/p-184436362
### Key Points
- Journalists and politicians often prioritize compelling stories over factual accuracy, especially in education narratives.
- The "science of reading" and the Mississippi "miracle" are widely promoted but lack robust scientific evidence.
- Poverty and systemic inequities are the primary factors affecting student achievement, not teacher quality or instructional methods.
- Claims of a reading crisis due to insufficient phonics instruction are not supported by evidence.
- Programs like Orton-Gillingham and LETRS have limited scientific support for their effectiveness in improving reading outcomes.
- Short-term gains in reading scores linked to "science of reading" reforms are primarily due to grade retention, not instructional methods or teacher training.
- The "science of reading" movement has negatively impacted diversity in educational content and teacher autonomy.
- The "science of reading" narrative is more about compelling storytelling than evidence-based solutions, making it more akin to "fool's gold" than a "silver bullet."
CURMUDGUCATION: NC: Charter Accountability Fails Again https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2026/01/nc-charter-accountability-fails-again.html
### Key Points
- North Carolina renewed two failing cyber charter schools, NCCA and NCVA, despite their poor performance over the past decade.
- Both schools have consistently received low grades and failed to meet state growth benchmarks, yet they enroll thousands of students.
- The schools have accumulated millions in taxpayer dollars, raising concerns about the lack of accountability and effective use of funds.
- Critics question why cyber charters, which often cater to struggling students, haven’t improved their educational outcomes.
- The Charter Schools Review Board had limited flexibility in renewal decisions, opting for five-year renewals instead of rejecting the schools outright.
Struggling Virtual Charter Schools Receive Renewals in North Carolina Popular charter school options earn low marks for academic achievement ANDY SPEARS https://theeducationreport.substack.com/p/struggling-virtual-charter-schools
Popular charter school options earn low marks for academic achievement
### Key Points
- North Carolina's Charter Schools Review Board renewed the charters for two virtual schools, North Carolina Cyber Academy and North Carolina Virtual Academy, despite their consistently poor academic performance.
- Both schools, which opened in 2015 as part of a pilot program, have been labeled as low-performing by the state but remain popular with families.
- These virtual charter schools have consistently received low performance grades, with only one instance in 2023 where a school did not receive a D grade.
- The schools have not met academic growth expectations on state exams nearly every year since their inception.
“As Through a Glass, Darkly” | The Merrow Report https://themerrowreport.com/2026/01/13/as-through-a-glass-darkly/
- The phrase "Through a glass, darkly," from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, highlights human limitations in perceiving truth and understanding.
- The biblical passage emphasizes the importance of charity, faith, and hope, with charity being the greatest virtue.
- The author reflects on their own past lack of humility and understanding of the importance of charity in life.
- Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address is cited, emphasizing his plea for "charity for all" and "malice toward none" during a divided time in U.S. history.
- The author contrasts Lincoln’s message of unity and charity with Donald Trump’s rhetoric, which is criticized as promoting malice and lacking humility.
- The author expresses concern over the perceived decline of democracy in the U.S. and the rise of Trumpism, likening it to encroaching fascism.
- A call to action is made to support leaders, organizations, and initiatives that oppose Trumpism and promote democratic values. Examples include the ACLU, politicians like Jamie Raskin, and voter registration efforts.
- Chapter 13 of St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians is quoted in full to underscore the value of charity and its enduring importance.
A Nation Falling Into the Abyss | Opine I will https://rlratto.wordpress.com/2026/01/13/a-nation-falling-into-the-abyss/
### Key Points
- A retired teacher expresses concern over the nation's descent into authoritarianism, likening current events to Nazi Germany.
- The author recounts witnessing violent incidents involving ICE agents, including wrongful detentions, physical assaults, and threats.
- The writer highlights the influence of extremist groups and slogans, calling for collective action to resist these forces.
- The post emphasizes the need to stand against hatred and weaponized rhetoric, drawing historical parallels to fascist tactics.
- The author encourages readers to speak up, protest, and resist the spread of authoritarianism and divisive ideologies.
10th Period: State Spending on Public School Students Lowest Since 1997 | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/state-spending
### Key Points
- Ohio's inflation-adjusted spending on public school students in 2025 is the lowest since 1997, coinciding with the introduction of taxpayer-funded private school tuition subsidies.
- The EdChoice voucher program, expanded in 2019, has diverted significant funds from public schools to private and charter schools, many of which perform poorly and lack public audits.
- Public school funding peaked in the 2003-2004 school year following an Ohio Supreme Court ruling, with $3.2 billion more adjusted for inflation than recent years.
- During the Great Recession (2009-2011), public schools received more state aid than in any budget since 2019, despite a significant revenue drop.
- The shift in funding priorities has contributed to Ohio's decline in national education rankings and increased local property tax burdens by 43% since 2010.
FREEBEE: Trump makes obscene gesture, mouths expletive at Detroit factory heckler A cellphone video captured Trump twice mouthing “f--- you” and raising his middle finger toward someone shouting at him inside the auto factory. https://wapo.st/4sG38CD
