ICYMI: Getting Up To Speed Edition (1/7)

Picking up after the holidays, the twelfth day of Christmas, and Benedict Arnold Day, all in one week. Plus that cough that everyone has? The Board of Directors and CMO are both fighting it all week. But the weather has been nice and getting back to school has been largely enjoyed by everyone at the Institute who gets to go back. 

This is as good a time as any to mention that you can find me on Bluesky and Threads, if you are emigrating from the dead bird app. Also, Curmudgucation has its own Facebook page. (I'm also on Instagram, but after all these years I still can't really get a handle on what to do with it.)

At any rate, it's not a big list this week, but still some worthwhile reads here. 

Hoover Institute 2023 "A Nation at Risk" Address

Thomas Ultican looks back at the end of the 40th anniversary of that miserable hit job on public education.

Tired of Being Tired

Jose Luis Vilson's site was down last week when I was putting the weekly list together, but it's back and if you're behind reading there, I suggest starting with this list of ideas for how teachers can revitalize and revive in the new year. 

Welcome to the New SC Legislative Session

If you're not in South Carolina, let this be a reminder that your legislature is getting powered up for the new year, complete with lousy ideas for laws. If you are in South Carolina, this post from Steve Nuzum will let you know what some of the lousy ideas in your state are.

Legislative Session Starts Next Week in Florida 

Meanwhile, if you're in Florida, here's what's on tap for your legislature, courtesy Sue Kingery Woltanski.

Will Far-Right Money and Influence Decide Whether States Can Have Explicitly Religious Charter Schools?

Jan Resseger looks at some of the forces mustering money and power to push through the public religious charter school in Oklahoma.

Moms for Liberty members say parental rights have limits with reading rule

Sue Kingery Woltanski picked this story up, and now the Tampa Bay Times is running with it (and talking to her about it). Turns out M4L only wants parental rights some of the time...

Two of my favorite writers have looked at Tim Alberta's new book about American evangelicals-- The Power and the Glory. So read what Nancy Flanagan (who lived through much of it) has to say, and catch the indispensable Mercedes Schneider has to say as well. The book is on my stack, and it should be on yours, too. 

The Right Is Winning Its War on Schools

Melissa Gira Grant at the New Republic has a not-very-uplifting look at the work of Heritage Foundation, among others.

Disgraced Ousted Moms 4 Liberty PA School Board 'Hosed Down' Superintendent Crony With $700,000 Cash

Always interesting when someone outside the education bubble notices education shenanigans, and Moms for Liberty has generated a lot of that attention. Here's Doktor Zoom at Wonkette on the latest Bucks County M4L scandal.

Saving Public Schools: 23 Issues (At Least) to Ponder for 2024

Nancy Bailey has the list of Important Stuff for 2024. 

Librarians, who lost jobs for not banning books, are fighting back

Piece, with transcript, from NPR reporter Matt Bloom.

Why Parents Struggle So Much In The World's Richest Country

Stephanie Murray at The Atlantic with a thoughtful look at how, for all our talk, our country doesn't really isn't that helpful in raising kids.

The Claudine Gay Debacle Was Never About Merit

I haven't spent much time on this flap, but I also never pass up a Tressie McMillam Cotton piece, and her take at the New York Times is just excellent.

Texas board rejects many science textbooks over climate change messaging

Oh, Texas. The Texas Tribune has the coverage (again), including the part where one member of the board wants to know why more creationism isn't included.

This week I also dropped a piece at the Bucks County Beacon about how the First Amendment is being rewritten to eliminate the wall between church and state (and why that's a bad idea).