Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-27-25

A Personal Report to My Friends Who Read the Blog https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/26/a-personal-report-to-my-friends-who-read-the-blog/ via @dianeravitch 

### Key Points

- Diane Ravitch attended her Wellesley College reunion, noting the demographic evolution of the student body over decades, which now reflects greater diversity. 

- She shared pride in how Wellesley positively impacts the world, exemplified by a Rwandan student aspiring to become a doctor. 

- Diane revealed her breast cancer diagnosis, detailing her surgeries and upcoming radiation treatments, and expressed gratitude for early detection and excellent medical care. 

- She described her dog Mitzi's terminal illness and her intent to make Mitzi's remaining days joyful despite the lack of treatment options. 

- Comments from readers of her blog expressed support, admiration for her resilience, and appreciation for her contributions to education and advocacy. 

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences Issues a Statement about the Current Crisis https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/26/the-american-academy-of-arts-and-sciences-issues-a-statement-about-the-current-crisis/ via @dianeravitch 

### Key Points

- The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a nonpartisan organization founded in 1780, is committed to advancing arts, sciences, and democratic governance. 

- The Academy highlights threats to democratic principles, including attacks on higher education, censorship, and restrictions on freedom of expression. 

- It opposes funding cuts to research institutions and supports the independence of the judiciary and legal systems. 

- The Academy calls for public support to protect freedom, creativity, and truth-seeking while advocating for the revitalization of democratic ideals. 

- The organization relies on diverse funding sources, including government grants, and faces challenges in maintaining financial independence. 

Bruce Springsteen: "No Retreat!" https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/26/bruce-springsteen-no-retreat/ via @dianeravitch 

### Key Points

- Bruce Springsteen publicly criticized the Trump administration during his 2025 Europe tour, delivering anti-Trump speeches and facing backlash from Trump on social media. 

- Springsteen released a surprise live EP featuring his speeches, further solidifying his stance against Trump. 

- Neil Young and Taylor Swift joined Springsteen in opposing Trump, calling out his threats and expressing their defiance. 

- The blog emphasizes that artists like Springsteen and others do not need Trump's approval, unlike certain corporate figures who seek to appease him. 

Trump Posted Unhinged Ravings for Memorial Day https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/26/trump-posted-unhinged-ravings-for-memorial-day/ via @dianeravitch 

### Key Points

- Donald Trump's Memorial Day message is criticized for being disrespectful and divisive. 

- Commenters express strong disapproval of Trump's behavior, labeling him as narcissistic and lacking compassion. 

- There is a comparison between Trump's actions and Christian values, suggesting he contradicts teachings of forgiveness and compassion. 

- Some comments speculate on Trump's past, including his military draft avoidance, and suggest he embodies the Seven Deadly Sins. 

- The article includes a satire on Trump's influence, suggesting he might replace religious symbols with his likeness. 

- The article criticizes Donald Trump and his administration for their treatment of veterans, highlighting budget cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal programs that disproportionately harm veterans. 

- It discusses the broader implications of Trump's actions, including layoffs, reduced access to healthcare, and disruptions in critical services like cancer trials and opioid addiction treatment for veterans. 

- The piece emphasizes the importance of honoring veterans' sacrifices, contrasting their dedication with Trump's perceived self-serving behavior, such as planning a military parade for his birthday. 

- Progressive groups and individuals, including veterans, are working to combat these policies by running for office and advocating for pro-democracy and veteran-focused reforms. 

- The article frames the betrayal of veterans as part of a larger trend of authoritarianism and disregard for democratic values under the MAGA movement. 

glen brown: President Ronald Reagan’s Memorial Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery, delivered on May 26, 1986 https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/05/president-ronald-reagans-memorial-day.html 

### Key Points

- Ronald Reagan’s Memorial Day speech celebrates the courage and sacrifices of American military heroes and others who served the nation. 

- The speech emphasizes the need to remember the sacrifices of veterans and to uphold peace through vigilance and strength. 

- Reflections on Vietnam War veterans highlight their resilience, faithfulness, and the challenges they faced during a divisive era. 

- Glen Brown’s blog includes broader discussions on social justice, public pensions, political issues, and historical reflections. 

### Key Points

- Satirical depiction of Trump and Putin’s strained relationship, highlighting political tensions. 

- Trump criticized Putin for Russia’s aerial assault on Ukraine; Kremlin dismissed his remarks as emotional. 

- Russia’s drone attacks on Ukraine killed civilians; diplomatic efforts for peace remain stalled. 

- Germany considers expanding arms support to Ukraine, signaling geopolitical shifts. 

- Activism against Trump’s $45M birthday military parade and calls to defend democracy. 

- Broader discussions on public education reform, societal challenges, and activism. 

- The author discusses personal and tragic experiences related to the U.S. healthcare system, highlighting its failures and the struggles of individuals who cannot afford proper care. 

- Criticism is directed towards Medicare Advantage plans and health insurance companies for prioritizing profits over care, and Unity's lack of effort to address these issues effectively. 

- The author accuses Unity leadership, specifically Michael Mulgrew, of failing to protect retirees' healthcare and making poor deals that harm union members. 

- Unity's tactics, such as promoting apathy, avoiding accountability, and using personal attacks, are criticized as detrimental to union solidarity. 

- The author calls for new leadership within the union, emphasizing the need for a union that truly represents its members and stands against privatized healthcare. 

- The article concludes with a call to action for members to vote for ABC, a group advocating for better union leadership and policies.

### Key Points

- The article discusses how personal wounds and unresolved pain often fuel the backlash against public education, with critics projecting their personal grievances onto the education system. 

- Many critics of public education are driven by resentment rooted in their own experiences of exclusion or failure within the system, which has shaped their worldview and political actions. 

- The current cultural and political attacks on public education, including opposition to inclusive curricula and diversity programs, are attempts to maintain dominance in narratives that are becoming more inclusive. 

- These attacks are not based on data but on personal discontent, which is manipulated by political strategists to create scapegoats and stoke division. 

- The vilification of educators and the politicization of classrooms have turned education into a battleground, undermining its role as a space for equity and critical thinking. 

- Healing the education system requires acknowledging pain, fostering compassion, and creating affirming spaces for students while resisting harmful policies and rhetoric. 

- Public education, when done well, has the power to disrupt inequality, foster inclusion, and empower marginalized communities, which threatens those clinging to outdated hierarchies. 

- Defending and transforming public education is essential to building a more equitable and united society.  

### Key Points

- Adults often define themselves by their work, while children do not take work as seriously, leading to a cultural divide between adults and children. 

- Society tends to equate school with a workplace and grades with paychecks, yet children recognize this as an artificial construct. 

- Historically, humans spent less time working, and many societies prioritized art, community, and play over productivity, unlike modern culture. 

- The Western focus on productive labor has influenced how childhood is structured, often limiting play and creativity in favor of work-like activities. 

- Teacher Tom highlights the importance of play-based learning and questions the narrative that work should dominate life. 

- Tips and resources for engaging parents in education, such as using school messaging platforms, transitioning to family meeting formats, and incorporating student-created videos into family conferences. 

- Recommendations for managing children’s screen time effectively, including strategies shared by The Conversation and The Washington Post. 

- Information about books authored by Larry Ferlazzo, including guides on student motivation and teaching English Language Learners (ELL). 

- Subscription options for receiving updates on parent engagement and educational resources. 

Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/ 

- The blog provides a variety of education-related resources, including articles on topics such as the importance of mattering at work, using graphic novels in classrooms, and free AI tools for teaching. 

- It highlights teaching resources commemorating George Floyd's murder, regular updates on educational policy, and the impact of support versus grade retention on students. 

- The author shares curated "Best" lists, monthly newsletters, and ESL/EFL/ELL resources, along with weekly updates on Social Emotional Learning (SEL). 

- The blog includes practical resources and strategies for teaching various subjects like Social Studies, English, Math, and Science, and addresses topics like student motivation and classroom management. 

- Additional contributions include a radio show, Q&A posts, British Council articles, and educational content for platforms like the New York Times. 

- The blog has received significant engagement with over 36,690 page views in a month. 

Education Research Report: Spillovers from Public Health Policies in Schools: COVID Mask Mandates https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/05/spillovers-from-public-health-policies.html 

### Key Points  

- Schools have historically played a crucial role in controlling infectious diseases through measures like vaccination, closures, and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) during outbreaks.   

- The study uses event study and difference-in-differences models to analyze the impact of mask mandates in schools on COVID spread, focusing on the removal of mandates after CDC guidance changes in early 2022.   

- Findings suggest that implementing mask mandates county-wide (from 0% to 100%) reduces COVID deaths by 0.57 per 100k people.   

- The removal of mask mandates in schools during 2022 is estimated to have contributed to 21,800 COVID deaths, accounting for 9% of the U.S. total that year.   

- Most of these deaths are attributed to spillover effects in the broader community, as COVID deaths among students and school staff were relatively rare. 

Schools Matter: Protest Andy Ogles’ ICE Loving Press Conference http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/05/protest-andy-ogles-ice-loving-press.html 

- The blog post highlights a protest against Andy Ogles’ press conference, which supports ICE policies. 

- The article discusses the impact of poverty on education, emphasizing it as a more significant factor than teacher quality. 

- It critiques corporate-driven education reforms, including school voucher programs and testing increases, linking them to social inequities. 

- The blog archives and reviews cover various education topics, such as the negative effects of "No Excuses" teaching, corporate charter schools, and standardized testing. 

- Historical and ongoing critiques of education policies, including NCLB and privatization efforts, are explored in-depth. 

Schools Matter: Trump Remembers U.S. Troops by Calling Them 'Losers' and 'Suckers' http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/05/trump-remembers-us-troops-by-calling.html 

- The article highlights a controversial statement by Donald Trump, referring to U.S. troops as "losers" and "suckers," which was posted on May 26, 2025. 

- It discusses various topics related to education, including critiques of school voucher programs, corporate-driven education reforms, and issues of poverty affecting education. 

- The blog emphasizes the impact of poverty over teacher quality on student learning outcomes, citing James Coleman’s 1972 assertion. 

- Additional themes include the role of standardized testing, corporate influence in education, and the historical context of public school reforms. 

Rapidly expanding school voucher programs pinch state budgets http://www.schoolsmatter.info/ 

### Key Points

- Expanding school voucher programs are increasingly consuming state budgets, raising sustainability concerns. 

- Critics argue vouchers add costs by funding private education for students already outside public schools. 

- Proponents claim vouchers encourage competition and may reduce education costs, though they remain a small share of total state spending. 

- Budget shortfalls in states like Arizona and Texas highlight the financial challenges of universal voucher programs. 

- Public school advocates warn that funding both private and public systems could harm broader public services. 

TN: Taxpayer-Funded Discrimination https://open.substack.com/pub/curmudgucation/p/tn-taxpayer-funded-discrimination?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false 

2 Pledge your support TN: Taxpayer-Funded Discrimination

- Morgan Armstrong, a senior at Tennessee Christian Preparatory School, was punished after coming out as gay on Instagram, with the school citing violation of its social media policy. 

- Armstrong claims the school discriminated against her for her sexual orientation and threatened to interfere with her college applications if she caused further issues. 

- The school is linked to Tennessee's Education Freedom Act (EFA), a voucher law that allows taxpayer funding for private schools but raises concerns about discrimination against LGBTQ students. 

- Tennessee Christian Preparatory School has expressed hesitations about EFA due to requirements like standardized testing and reporting results, as well as concerns over long-term sustainability. 

- The school enforces strict policies on gender, marriage, and sexuality, which are discriminatory but legal for private institutions. Critics argue such schools should not receive taxpayer funding. 

- The article emphasizes the problem of public funds supporting private institutions with discriminatory practices and advocates against such funding. 

CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Decoration Day Edition (5/25) https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/05/icymi-decoration-day-edition-525.html 

### Key Points

- Memorial Day has complex origins and is often seen as the start of summer. 

- Moms for Liberty influence on school board decisions and librarian dismissals. 

- Julian Vasquez Heilig discusses a chaotic day for education news with Trump-related stories. 

- Criticism of misleading AI research and its presence in major newspapers. 

- Unauthorized AI experiments on Reddit users. 

- AI's threat to education rights according to Helen Beetham. 

- Conservatives' mixed feelings about public schools and vouchers. 

- Financial issues with Florida's school voucher program. 

- Ohio's anti-diversity bill and its unpopularity among students. 

- Supreme Court decision against religious charter schools in Oklahoma. 

CURMUDGUCATION: The Perverse Incentives of School Choice https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-perverse-incentives-of-school-choice.html 

### Key Points

- The voucher system incentivizes private schools to prioritize marketing and enrollment over educational quality, leading to "subprime" schools. 

- New or struggling private schools focus on marketing to secure funding, often neglecting long-term educational goals. 

- High-quality private schools often remain inaccessible to voucher holders, as they protect their reputation by limiting enrollment. 

- Charter schools face similar issues, with some operators exploiting government grants and taxpayer money without accountability. 

- Public schools differ as they are service providers, focusing on education rather than profit, unlike the flawed voucher-driven model. 

- The lack of meaningful oversight in the system allows substandard schools to thrive, prioritizing profit over student outcomes. 

- The article advocates for motivation centered on improving education and society, not profit, as seen in public education. 

PROJECT 2029? | The Merrow Report https://themerrowreport.com/2025/05/26/project-2029/ 

### Key Points

- The article expresses concern about the current state of the U.S., urging against despair and suggesting three actions: supporting legal challenges against Trump, focusing on reclaiming Congress in 2026, and defining the Democratic Party's values and goals. 

- The concept of "Project 2029" is proposed as a forward-looking, positive plan to counter the GOP's "Project 2025," emphasizing public institutions and services, such as public schools, libraries, parks, and transportation. 

- Advocates for implementing universal National Service for men and women, offering two years of compensated service in various organizations with tuition or training credits as a reward. 

- Suggestions include fiscal policies for first-time homebuyers, higher taxes on the wealthy, banning congressional trading, and strengthening community schools with better teacher training, trust, and pay. 

- Proposals also call for rebuilding infrastructure, combating climate change, supporting NATO and Ukraine, and ensuring healthcare as a right. 

- The article concludes with a call for contributions to refine "Project 2029" and expresses concern over political division and the influence of Trumpism. 

The Science of Ideology: What Is Really Wrong with Education? https://radicalscholarship.com/2025/05/26/the-science-of-ideology-what-is-really-wrong-with-education/ via @plthomasEdD 

### Key Points

- The U.S. education system has been criticized for decades, with recurring narratives of a "reading crisis" since at least the 1940s, often blaming teachers and educational methods. 

- Historical critiques, such as those by Jacques Barzun and others, highlight that illiteracy and educational challenges remain despite reforms, and blame is often misdirected. 

- Standardized tests primarily measure socioeconomic factors like family income, not necessarily school or teacher effectiveness, which perpetuates inequities. 

- Education reforms are driven by ideology, politics, and market forces, benefiting these entities rather than students, teachers, or schools. 

- The belief that education can transform society is misguided; instead, schools reflect societal inequities and cannot address systemic issues alone. 

- The "science of" movements in education are not new but are part of the ideological and market-driven cycles of reform. 

An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and Almost Everything Else: Ravitch, Diane: 9780231220293: Amazon.com: Books https://www.amazon.com/Education-Changed-Schools-Almost-Everything/dp/0231220294/ref=sr_1_1?

This article discusses Diane Ravitch's upcoming memoir, "An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and Almost Everything Else," set to be released on October 21, 2025. Ravitch, a historian and former conservative education reform advocate, recounts her ideological shift from supporting standardized testing and privatization to advocating for public schools and addressing systemic inequality in education. The book blends personal reflections with decades of research, making a compelling case for greater investment in public education.

### Key Points

- Diane Ravitch's memoir explores her ideological transformation from a proponent of conservative education reforms to a critic of privatization and standardized testing. 

- The book highlights her belief that poverty, not failing schools or bad teachers, is the root cause of educational inequality. 

- Ravitch shares her personal and professional journey, including her government service and advocacy for public schools. 

- The memoir combines personal anecdotes with research to argue for systemic changes in education, including better support for professional teachers. 

- Published by Columbia University Press, the book is 240 pages long and will be available in multiple formats. 

Big Education Ape: WE DON'T DO KINGS: NATIONWIDE PROTESTS TO RAIN ON TRUMP'S $45M BIRTHDAY MILITARY PARADE #NoKingsDay #DefendDemocracy #AmericaStrong https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/05/we-dont-do-kings-nationwide-protests-to.html 

Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-26-25    

The article is a compilation of various educational, political, and societal issues, covering topics such as public education reform, systemic challenges, leadership critiques, activism, and reflections on democracy and equity. It also highlights discussions around Trump’s presidency, authoritarianism, and the role of education in addressing systemic inequalities.

### Key Points  

- Diane Ravitch critiques standardized testing and privatization, advocating for public schools and tackling systemic inequality in her memoir.   

- Trump's administration faces criticism for undermining science, targeting universities, and restricting research on climate change and public health.   

- The rise of charter schools in California, fueled by billionaire funding, raises concerns about segregation and misuse of taxpayer funds.   

- The Illinois Assault Weapons Ban sparks debates over Second Amendment rights and public safety.   

- Five years after George Floyd’s death, systemic racism persists, with setbacks in DEI programs and justice reform.   

- Nationwide protests are planned against Trump’s $45M military parade, emphasizing democratic resistance.   

- A satirical movie plot imagines a fascist president staging a coup disguised as a military parade, exploring themes of democracy and resistance.   

- Challenges faced by new teachers include unrealistic expectations, lack of mentorship, and inadequate preparation from standardized tests.   

- Henry Giroux’s graduation speech calls for youth to resist authoritarianism and promote education as a tool for justice and democracy.   

- Public education policies like No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top are critiqued for focusing on standardized testing over equity.   

- Social media use among preteens correlates with rising depressive symptoms, cyberbullying, and disrupted sleep.   

- The Supreme Court upheld rulings against religious charter schools, signaling hope for public education.   

- Seattle Public Schools face budget deficits, nepotism, and potential school closures, with limited community engagement.   

- Activism against authoritarianism emphasizes the importance of defending democracy and resisting systemic oppression.   

- Karen Lewis is celebrated for transforming the Chicago Teachers Union into a force for systemic change and social justice.