ICYMI: Where's Your Suit Edition (3/2)
The White House reached a new critical mass of bullshit this week with the public mugging of The Ukraine in favor of new bestie Russia. A lot has been written about it, and I won't be including any of that here because that's not what you come here for. But I do like to put down markers now and then so that later, I can tab back to special moments. After all, some day, someone is going to have to explain to future generations why the country couldn't keep its act together long enough for them.
Nobody can deal with all of it. But those of us who have been advocating for public education can keep doing that, because lord knows it's on the chopping block, just like every other piece of government that involves taking care of other people. So here we go. And I don't care if you're wearing a suit or not.
Children with disabilities swept up in DEI fight, advocates say
Lexi Cochran reports from Sioux City's KCAU about some of the collateral damage with the various diversity bans.
Why Are We Getting Rid of the Department of Education Again?
Jennifer Berkshire gets to the heart of the drive against DEI-- the real target is equality.
Jennifer had a productive week. Here's a big picture piece about Trump's attack on public education that was published in The Baffler (and referenced in the above post).
Five Things Your Child’s Teacher Accomplished Last Week
President Musk managed to inspire Nancy Flanagan this week. What are five things teachers accomplished in your school?
U.S. Department of Education sued over letter on race-conscious practices in schools
A story I expect we'll be following for a while, as the courts try to figure out what the vague handwaving at race stuff is supposed to mean--and if it's even legal.
Meanwhile, Michigan's Department of Education actually pushed back on the directive.
To Make Ed Tech More Secure, Software Companies Need to Step Up
There's much to be concerned about in this The74 story, but "the average district now uses 2,592 edtech products" is certainly something.
School Choice Vouchers Led To Lower Academic Achievement, Researchers Say
Want some more research showing that vouchers lower test scores? Here you go.
Alabama’s Ten Commandment’s bill: A power grab disguised as faith
Bill Britt, editor of Alabama P{olitical Reporter, calls out the state's attempt to inject religion into classrooms.
Is it "Book Banning" to Ban Books?
Supporters of South Carolina's book banning laws are trying to support them. Syeve Nuzum points out how they are failing.
Most banned books feature people of color and LGBTQ+ people, report finds
Gloria Oladipo reports for the Guardian on the latest PEN America study that shows only certain sorts of books need to be banned--and it's not necessarily the sexy ones.
Florida: Where Essays are Both Written AND Graded By AI
No surprise here. Sue Kingery Woltanski reports that Florida's writing assessment, already a waste of time, is now approaching the singularity involving no humans at all.
What a 30-Day Break From AI Taught Me About My Teaching
Both depressing and encouraging, as this teacher figures out that maybe having ChatGPT do his thinking for him is not great.
Audrey Watters is essential reading every week on technology in ed (twice a week if you pay for your subscription) and it's always worthwhile. Here she opens with the quote "If you're so rich, why aren't you smart?"
Linda McMahon’s ‘Elegant Gaslighting’ of Democratic Senators
For The Progressive, Jeff Bryant has a great analysis of Linda McMahon's hearing.
Trump's expanded ICE raids are causing big problems for some schools
USA Today covers the mess created by sending armed police after children. Who could have predicted?
Thomas Ultican gives us a look at a new book by Jesse Hagopian about the struggle for anti-racist education.
School Vouchers and the Threat to Religious Freedom
Anne Lutz Fernandez looks at a subject near and dear to my heart. Yes, it's bad for schools to have religion injected into them-- but it is also bad for religion to be commandeered by the state.
This week at the Bucks County Beacon, I wrote about a state auditor report that shows just how badly we in PA need cyber charter reform, and at Forbes, a survey that shows 40% of two year olds have their own digital devices. Yikes!
Do join me on substack, where my newsletter of stuff will always be free.