ICYMI: Sleepy Morning Edition (3/9)

Did you reset your clock? You know--that one clock in your house that doesn't reset itself? Go ahead. I'll wait.

I finally joined the Washington Post exodus. I have a sentimental attachment to the paper; Valerie Strauss championed and occasionally printed my work, and that didn't just widen my audience, but was one of the few things that caused my co-workers to notice that I was Up To Something. But Strauss has moved on and Jeff Bezos has decried that the paper will espouse no opinions other than his, and while I know enough journalism history to know that this is not a new and unheard of feature in the newspaper biz, I don't have to pay for the privilege.

I have been doing this weekly digest post for almost ten years now, and it feels more necessary than ever, as the media landscape becomes increasingly unreliable. Amplification of important ideas is a critical responsibility of folks in the social media world so do share. Also, a side note-- I do not include in this digest pieces that I addressed in a regular post, but share those, too.

Okay, here we go.

Diversity, Political Culture and Middle School Band

I do love it when Nancy Flanagan gets a little salty. Here she looks at the anti-diversity directive from the Department of Education and finds the fingerprints of Big Brother.

What Now for Democrats for Education Reform?

DFER, the privatizers in Democrat's clothing, are having some trouble. Good. They've earned it. Maurice Cunningham has the story for The Progressive.

Introducing the Juicero, Only for Reading

It's the dumbest product ever, only this time for reading. John Warner offers a reality-based response.

A Rural Alaska School Asked the State to Fund a Repair. Nearly Two Decades Later, the Building Is About to Collapse.

On the ground, it is not always about high-falutin' policy issues. Sometimes it's just about providing a safe building. For ProPublica and KYUK, Emily Schwing has the story.

"Educational Pluralism" as Another Name for Privatization

Thomas Ultican looks at a recent The 74 article that asks, why can't we just be more like Europe.

When America Persecutes Its Teachers

Clay Risen at The Atlantic walks us through some history as a reminder that going after teachers for having ideas of which the government does not approve--that's not a new thing. In particular, a look at when the red scare came to the schoolhouse.

The GOP is Cracking Up Over School Vouchers

Jennifer Berkshire looks at the voucher-related cracks in the MAGA coalition. If only there were an opposing political party that could take advantage of them.

AI Chatbots have telltale quirks. Researchers can spot them with 97% accuracy

Well, perhaps. But it's still something.

"Do It Yourself" - a Poem

David Lee Finkle heard rumors that his students were using online summaries to "read" the assignment. So he wrote a poem.

TN Lawmakers Seek To Deny Education To Some Kids

Andy Spears reports on a Tennessee bill aimed at challenging the SCOTUS decision that ruled that undocumented children still get an education.

Influencers and Expertise

Audrey Watters shares more important connections about ed tech. Also, a mildly disturbing picture of a goose.

I, Human

It's behind the New York Times paywall, but this guest essay by Margaret Renkl is a beautiful statement of support for the human touch over the AI assistants plaguing us.(H/T Larry Cuban)

Media Manufactures Mississippi "Miracle" (Again)

Paul Thomas again debunks the "miraculous" reading achievements of Mississippi.

NCLB’s Curse: 12 Reasons Reading Scores are STILL Poor

Nancy Bailey breaks down a dozen ways that the curse of NCLB is still with us and our students.

A Two-Legged Stool

Steve Nuzum reports from South Carolina, where a school voucher bill was struck down by the state court, so legislators decided to just try passing the same thing again.

DeWine’s Budget Includes Full Phase-In of OH Fair School Funding Plan. Why Will Majority of School Districts Lose Funding?

Jan Resseger tries to sort out the new Ohio mystery-- how can a boost in school funding be turned into a cut?

Simon says Focus on Students, Not Just Their Ability to Take a Test

It's a miracle. There's a legislator in Florida who is trying to help public schools. Sue Kingery Woltanski shares this improbably story.

Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education: A Direct Threat to America’s Schools

Julian Vasquez Heilig breaks down the issues raised by dismantling the Department of Education. Pretty comprehensive look.

Texas and Florida Are Canary in Coal Mine of Schools Run by Uncertified Teachers

Eleanor Bader reports for Truthout on the growing problem. Good look at the national issue.

First Black Graduate

Akil Bello has set out to collect a particular data point-- when did colleges have their first Black graduate? It's an interesting pile of information (and you might be able to help collect info). It's also kind of discouraging, but as he says, it feels like information we ought to have.

The government doesn't know that AGI is coming

Benjamin Riley contests the claims that computers with human-ish intelligence are right around the corner.

Feel free to sign up for my newsletter, which will freely pop whatever I've been writing into your email inbox for free.