Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-5-25
Texas: Governor Abbott Celebrates His Big Voucher Win and Lies About It https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/04/texas-governor-abbott-celebrates-his-big-voucher-win/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Governor Greg Abbott signed a school voucher program into law, allocating $10,000 per student for private school tuition and other expenses.
- Vouchers have historically failed to improve education quality, often benefiting students already in private schools and draining public school resources.
- Critics highlight the program's potential to reduce public school funding and exacerbate educational inequality, particularly in urban and rural areas.
- The program is projected to cost over $1 billion annually and may expand, with concerns about its lack of safeguards and transparency.
- The bill's passage faced strong opposition from Democrats, public educators, and rural Republicans, with warnings about its negative impact on public schools and teacher retention.
Why is Trump Killing the Voice of America? https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/04/why-is-trump-killing-the-voice-of-america/ via @dianeravitch
- Donald Trump has taken actions threatening press freedom, including lawsuits against major media outlets like ABC and CBS, and has targeted the Voice of America (VOA) for shutdown.
- Trump’s administration has labeled VOA as biased without evidence, appointing Kari Lake to oversee its closure. VOA plays a critical role in providing unbiased news globally, especially in authoritarian regimes.
- Critics argue that Trump's actions against VOA align with undermining democratic ideals and benefit adversaries like Russia, who oppose free information dissemination.
- The Trump administration’s moves against VOA and related organizations like PBS and NPR are seen as part of efforts to cut government-funded media, despite their significant contributions to countering global disinformation.
- Experts and former officials emphasize the importance of VOA as a tool of U.S. soft power to combat propaganda and support democracy worldwide.
Dana Milbank: Trump and His Ideas are Meshuggene https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/04/dana-milbank-trump-and-his-ideas-are-meshguggene/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Dana Milbank humorously critiques Trump’s policies, highlighting his erratic decisions like imposing tariffs, attempting to seize Greenland, and reversing policies.
- Trump inherited a healthy economy but caused significant financial instability, including stock market crashes and trade war missteps.
- John Ullyot, a former Pentagon aide, described chaos and dysfunction in the Defense Department under Trump-appointed officials.
- Pete Hegseth, an unqualified Pentagon leader, created security risks and mismanaged operations, including leaking sensitive information.
- Across federal agencies, Trump’s administration displayed incompetence, from mishandled deportations to amateurish policymaking.
- Trump’s administration faced legal challenges, with courts blocking over 100 of his actions for constitutional violations.
- Trump’s foreign policy included controversial proposals like appeasing Russia by demanding Ukraine surrender territory.
- Trump’s administration faced backlash for economic mismanagement, as polls showed plummeting approval ratings and personal financial concerns among Americans.
- Trump’s corruption included promoting personal financial gain, such as cryptocurrency ventures and questionable government contracts.
- The administration’s chaotic governance extended to bizarre incidents, like Trump’s contradictory endorsements and fabricated claims.
- Trump’s lack of historical and constitutional knowledge was highlighted in interviews, showcasing his unpreparedness for leadership.
- Critics argue Trump’s goal may be to incapacitate government functions, benefiting certain individuals or groups.
Maine Governor Mills Stands Up to Trump's Bullying; He Backs Down https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/04/maine-governor-mills-stands-up-to-trumps-bullying-he-backs-down/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Governor Janet Mills of Maine resisted Trump's executive order on banning transgender athletes, leading to a confrontation.
- Trump’s administration withheld $3 million in food funding for Maine schools as retaliation, prompting Maine to sue.
- Maine successfully recovered the funds through legal action, with Mills maintaining her stance.
- The incident underscores the importance of standing up to political bullying and intimidation.
CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Star Wars Edition (5/4) https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/05/icymi-star-wars-edition-54.html
### Key Points
- The cultural phenomenon of "Star Wars" in 1977 is explored, emphasizing its impact on audiences and its status as a must-watch multiple times.
- A roundup of education-related discussions includes topics such as immigrant community protections, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on religious charter schools, and the rise of unqualified leadership in education.
- Coverage of Florida's voucher expansion and its negative impact on public education is highlighted.
- Articles and opinions on the Trump administration's education policies, the separation of church and state in schools, and teacher expectations are shared.
- Links to various education blogs and resources are provided for further reading and engagement.
Education Research Report: STEM students: Work hard, but don’t compare yourself to others https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/05/stem-students-work-hard-but-dont.html
### Key Points
- A study found that students who compared their effort to peers in introductory STEM classes had lower confidence in their scientific abilities.
- Women benefited from focusing on their own effort (criterion effort) without comparing to others, which improved their performance and self-concept.
- Criterion effort, defined as working hard to understand course material, positively impacted women’s science self-concept but not men’s.
- Men’s confidence in science was more influenced by past achievements than their perception of effort.
- Comparative effort, or feeling the need to work harder than others, was linked to lower performance and a negative science self-concept for both genders.
- The study highlighted a feedback loop where early positive experiences and criterion effort improved performance, especially among women.
- Early STEM classes can discourage students, particularly women, from continuing in science due to competitive climates and perceived barriers.
glen brown: Trump Social Security Cuts Will Result in New Burden for Millions of People https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/05/trump-social-security-cuts-will-result.html
- Proposed Social Security cuts under the Trump administration will create significant burdens for millions, particularly rural residents and those with mobility issues.
- New multifactor authentication requirements for Social Security services will disproportionately impact seniors and people with disabilities, many of whom lack access to necessary technology.
- The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) highlights that direct deposit fraud is minimal, questioning the justification for these changes.
- Nearly 2 million people may need to visit Social Security offices due to the new policy, despite long wait times and reduced SSA staff.
- The Trump administration's staffing cuts at SSA, estimated at 5% with potential reductions of up to 17%, exacerbate service delays and accessibility challenges.
- Critics argue these changes aim to undermine Social Security, making it harder for beneficiaries to access their benefits.
glen brown: Trumpland Last Week: "Imagine if you will..." https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/05/trumpland-last-week-imagine-if-you-will.html
### Key Points
- The article opens with quotes from Ambrose Bierce, Albert Camus, and Bertha Brown, emphasizing the writer's role in resisting oppression and maintaining independence.
- Criticism of Trump’s administration highlights its authoritarian tendencies, legal setbacks in implementing controversial policies, and the judiciary's defense of constitutional principles.
- Institutions and law firms opposing Trump’s policies, including Microsoft's decision to switch legal representation, are praised for standing firm against intimidation.
- Public resistance is showcased through widespread protests and legal solidarity among law firms against Trump’s executive orders.
- Trump’s erratic behavior and misleading claims during his 100th-day commemoration are discussed, exposing contradictions in his administration's policies.
- The blog introduces a new feature, "The Democracy Index," to track and analyze democracy-related metrics in six categories, aiming to provide qualitative insights.
Schools Matter: We Need a Popular Uprising and a General Strike http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/05/we-need-popular-uprising-and-general.html
- The article emphasizes that a child's learning is influenced more by their classmates than their teacher, quoting James Coleman from 1972.
- The author, James Horn, calls for a popular uprising and a general strike, indicating dissatisfaction with current societal or educational issues.
- The blog discusses systemic problems such as poverty, over-testing, and corporate influence on education, suggesting these are bigger issues than teacher quality.
- Historical and ongoing critiques of education policies, including "No Excuses" teaching and the privatization of schools, are highlighted.
- The blog archives and references span many years, reflecting long-term engagement with educational reform and social justice topics.
Choosing Democracy: Crypto Is a Scam , Corrupt, and Funds Donald Trump and Elon Musk. https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2025/05/crypto-is-scam-corrupt-and-funds-donald.html
- The article criticizes the GENIUS Act, a bill allowing private currencies ("stablecoins") to be issued by individuals like Donald Trump and Elon Musk, highlighting its potential risks to financial stability and consumer protection.
- It accuses Trump and Musk of using cryptocurrencies for corrupt and dangerous purposes, including fraud, financing illicit activities, and undermining financial safeguards.
- The bill is described as lacking adequate consumer protections, privacy safeguards, and measures to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.
- The article calls on Democrats to oppose the GENIUS Act and urges citizens to contact their Senators to filibuster the bill.
Bill Lee's Tennessee: Hungry Kids, Underfunded Schools, by @TheAndySpears https://open.substack.com/pub/theeducationreport/p/bill-lees-tennessee-hungry-kids-underfunded?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
- Tennessee Governor Bill Lee rejected $84 million in federal funds that would have provided summer meals to 700,000 children, opting instead for a state program that serves only 25,000 kids across 15 counties, leaving 675,000 children without food assistance.
- The state’s program costs nearly the same as the federal program but reaches significantly fewer children, raising concerns about poor return on investment and prioritization of resources.
- The USDA has cut two programs that supported schools and food banks in purchasing food from local farms, resulting in Tennessee losing over $20 million in funding for these initiatives in FY 2025.
- Tennessee schools are now the lowest-funded in the Southeast, with per-student investment $1,000 less than Mississippi, further exacerbating the challenges faced by students.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-4-25
The article provides a detailed exploration of political, educational, and societal issues in the United States, highlighting controversies surrounding public education funding, religious influences in schools, grassroots movements, and the Trump administration's policies. It critiques billionaire-driven education reforms, authoritarian tendencies in governance, and challenges to democratic norms, while emphasizing the importance of public education, grassroots activism, and protecting democratic values.
### Key Points
- The Supreme Court is reconsidering the separation of church and state, potentially allowing state funding for religious schools.
- Catherine Rampell criticizes the Trump administration's invasive data collection practices, raising privacy and ethical concerns.
- Jonathan V. Last critiques the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement for rejecting scientific advancements, endangering public health.
- Billionaire-backed initiatives like those by Bill Gates and Betsy DeVos aimed to privatize public education through charter schools and vouchers but faced backlash.
- Tennessee ranks among the lowest in public school funding, with Governor Bill Lee prioritizing vouchers over increasing school investments.
- The MAGA curriculum promotes authoritarian values, discouraging diversity and critical thinking, drawing parallels to fascist regimes.
- Academics are urged to defend democracy and academic freedom by rejecting political neutrality.
- The Trump administration's second term introduced controversial policies, including cuts to education funding and promoting "patriotic education."
- Grassroots May Day protests emphasize resisting authoritarianism and promoting democracy through community care and nonviolence.
- Teacher willingness to address sexism in classrooms depends on knowledge, comfort, and leadership support, with resources needed for gender equality education.
- Handwriting significantly enhances children's reading and writing skills compared to keyboard-based learning.
- Investigative journalism highlights corruption in the Trump administration, including cryptocurrency ventures benefiting his family.
- Religious liberty arguments are often used to justify discrimination, as seen in voucher programs and SCOTUS cases.
- California teachers coordinate statewide bargaining to address low wages, staffing shortages, and class size issues.
- The Trump administration halted $1 billion for children’s mental health services, sparking criticism.
- The Tarbiyah School faces allegations of financial misuse, abuse, and loss of tax-exempt status.
- Grassroots organizations exposed the failures of corporate-driven education reforms, reclaiming public education.
