Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-9-25

Elon Musk Has His Own Town in Texas https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/08/elon-musk-has-his-own-town-in-texas/ via @dianeravitch 

### Key Points

- Elon Musk established Starbase, a new town in Texas, near SpaceX’s rocket site, with most residents being SpaceX employees. 

- The town's creation was approved in a landslide vote, with 212 votes in favor and 6 opposed. 

- Critics, including environmentalists and indigenous leaders, oppose SpaceX’s increasing control over public lands and cultural sites. 

- SpaceX seeks legislative approval to manage beach closures, further expanding its influence. 

- The development highlights concerns over billionaires’ unchecked power and potential impacts on local communities. 

Rob Curran: ICE Is Taking Away Our Neighbors https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/08/rob-curran/ via @dianeravitch 

### Key Points

- The Trump administration's deportation policies target not just criminals but also hardworking immigrants with no criminal history. 

- Cases like Neri Alvarado Borges and Jesus Ramos illustrate the trauma and injustice faced by immigrants detained for minor or nonviolent issues. 

- ICE's practices have expanded beyond traditional border enforcement, now targeting law-abiding individuals integrated into U.S. communities. 

- The author compares current actions to historical injustices, emphasizing the moral responsibility to oppose such policies. 

- The article calls for public and political action against these policies, warning of the broader implications for democracy and freedom. 

Randi Weingarten: Not Everyone Needs or Wants to Go to College. That's OK. https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/08/randi-weingarten-not-everyone-needs-or-wants-to-go-to-college-thats-ok/ via @dianeravitch 

### Key Points

- The abandonment of vocational education in favor of "college for all" diminished opportunities for career-focused high schools. 

- CTE, an updated form of vocational education, integrates modern technology and prepares students for high-demand skilled trades. 

- A significant portion of students do not enroll in or complete college, underscoring the need for diverse educational pathways. 

- Challenges in public schools, such as absenteeism, mental health issues, and insufficient resources, are exacerbated by policy decisions like budget cuts and school vouchers. 

- Successful CTE programs, such as RioTECH and Brooklyn STEAM Center, demonstrate the potential of partnerships between schools, colleges, and industries. 

- Research shows CTE improves academic achievement, graduation rates, and career readiness, making it a vital alternative to traditional college pathways. 

- Policies should focus on supporting public education and scaling effective programs rather than diverting funds to private school vouchers. 

Breaking News: Trump Administration Encouraging Other Nations to Sign Up For Musk's Starlink Internet Service to Cut Tariffs https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/08/breaking-news-trump-administration-emcouraging-other-nations-to-sign-up-for-musks-starlink-internet-service/ via @dianeravitch

### Key Points

- The Trump administration is leveraging trade negotiations to promote Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service. 

- Lesotho granted Starlink a 10-year license after facing U.S. tariffs, signaling goodwill toward U.S. businesses. 

- Internal State Department communications show efforts to push foreign governments to approve Starlink, though no explicit quid pro quo is documented. 

- India and other nations are accelerating Starlink approvals to secure favorable trade terms. 

- Critics label this behavior as cronyism, with concerns over Musk's influence on U.S. policy. 

Trump Withdraws Nomination of Ed Martin as U.S. Attorney for DC! https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/08/trump-withdraws-nomination-of-ed-martin-as-u-s-attorney-for-dc/ via @dianeravitch 

### Key Points

- Trump withdrew Ed Martin's nomination for U.S. Attorney for DC due to lack of Senate support. 

- Martin is an extreme MAGA supporter, known for defending January 6 insurrectionists and appearing on Russian state media. 

- Opposition from Senator Thom Tillis ensured Martin's nomination would not advance. 

Kristi Noem Fires Acting Head of FEMA Because He Doesn't Want to Abolish It https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/08/kristi-noem-fires-acting-head-of-fema-because-he-doesnt-want-to-abolish-it/ via @dianeravitch 

### Key Points

- Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, fired Cameron Hamilton, the Acting Director of FEMA, three weeks before hurricane season, leaving the agency without a leader. 

- Hamilton was dismissed after expressing opposition to abolishing FEMA, contradicting Trump’s stance during a congressional hearing. 

- Hamilton was appointed by Trump in January, but his termination followed his refusal to align with Trump’s views. 

### Key Points

- Trump’s political strategies continue to reflect a return to a reimagined past for his convenience. 

- Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, is the first American and Peruvian pope, symbolizing a bridge between North and South America and tradition and progress. 

- Prevost’s background includes leadership in the Augustinian order, significant diplomatic roles, and a commitment to inclusivity, as seen in his support for women in decision-making positions within the Church. 

- Pope Leo XIV’s election signifies a continuation of Pope Francis’ progressive legacy, focusing on inclusivity, outreach to marginalized communities, and careful reforms. 

- Prevost’s humor and diplomacy are highlighted as key attributes that could help him navigate modern Catholicism’s challenges. 

### Key Points

- The article critiques the use of AI to create an online writing course featuring Agatha Christie, despite her being deceased for nearly fifty years. 

- AI was used to replicate Christie's likeness, voice, and words, but the author argues that using her words from different contexts misrepresents her and her intentions. 

- The practice of recreating historical figures with AI is criticized as disrespectful and misleading, undermining scholarship and authenticity. 

- Concerns are raised about people believing such AI recreations are genuine interactions with the deceased, creating a false sense of connection. 

- The article warns of the growing trend of AI-generated works by dead authors and the ethical issues surrounding such practices. 

- The author suggests legal measures should be taken by living writers to prevent posthumous AI recreations of their work and identity. 

CURMUDGUCATION: What Do They Mean By "Gender Ideology"? https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/05/what-do-they-mean-by-gender-ideology.html 

### Key Points

- The term "gender ideology" is a central focus of cultural debates, often used by conservatives to oppose progressive gender views. 

- Jay W. Richards defines gender ideology as the belief that gender identity can differ from biological sex, which he views as a problematic departure from "objective truth." 

- Richards criticizes the redefinition of terms like "gender" and "sex," arguing it undermines biological realities. 

- The article critiques the conservative stance as rooted in a belief in one "objective truth" and dismissive of differing perspectives on gender. 

- The debate reflects broader educational conflicts over whether schools should teach diverse worldviews or adhere to a singular, traditional narrative. 

### Key Points

- The Trump administration proposes a $4.5 billion cut to federal K-12 public school spending, with sweeping reductions across education programs. 

- Title I funding is not entirely cut but faces reductions in specific grant areas, such as programs for migrant students and prison education. 

- The budget consolidates 18 existing programs into a single K-12 education block grant, giving states more control over fund allocation. 

- Eight federal grant programs, including those for English learners, adult education, and preschool development, are eliminated. 

- Funding for the Office for Civil Rights is reduced by $140 million annually, while charter school funding increases by $60 million. 

- The administration’s priorities reflect a push against programs supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and marginalized groups. 

The article argues that Donald Trump often deflects responsibility or retreats when confronted with organized resistance or legal pressure, emphasizing how higher education institutions can leverage their power to resist political overreach. It highlights the need for universities to act boldly, challenge unconstitutional policies, and defend their values to protect democracy.

### Key Points

- Trump has a pattern of folding under pressure, as seen in his deflections on constitutional responsibilities and other controversies. 

- Examples like Harvard and Maine demonstrate that standing firm against Trump’s political threats leads to victories. 

- Higher education is under attack, facing censorship, restrictions on diversity initiatives, and political audits, prompting a call for courageous action. 

- Universities have significant legal, cultural, and political power to resist authoritarianism and defend democratic principles. 

- Practical steps include preemptive lawsuits, multistate legal coalitions, clear moral stances, rejecting politicized audits, and mobilizing academic communities. 

- Coordinated resistance not only protects higher education but also strengthens democracy. 

- The Illinois Supreme Court ruled on May 8, 2015, that the Illinois legislature's attempt to reduce or impair public employees' pensions was unconstitutional, protecting retirement benefits under the state constitution. 

- The court emphasized that invoking "police powers" to nullify constitutional rights, such as pension protections, sets a dangerous precedent that could jeopardize other rights and property. 

- The ruling highlighted that the legislature could not create emergencies to justify overriding constitutional protections, warning of broader implications for constitutional governance. 

- The decision serves as a reminder of the importance of constitutional protections, especially in light of broader political actions that may undermine rights through emergency declarations. 

### Key Points

- Historical examples like Muhammad Ali and James Baldwin highlight the urgency of taking a stand against injustice. 

- Academic silence in the face of political and cultural threats is a dangerous form of self-preservation. 

- The dismantling of education systems threatens democracy, individual liberty, and academic freedom. 

- Fear among students and faculty impacts their ability to engage openly and critically in education. 

- Advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential, even amid hostility toward these values. 

- Urgent action is needed to reject neutrality and protect the principles of education and democracy. 

- The article discusses how history and social studies teaching practices have remained largely unchanged over the past six decades, with teacher-centered instruction still dominating classrooms. 

- Evidence for how history and social studies are taught today is limited, with few studies directly observing classroom practices. Surveys and some research indicate that traditional methods like lectures and memorization are still prevalent. 

- A small percentage (10-15%) of teachers incorporate student-centered techniques, such as group work, use of primary sources, and critical analysis of historical documents, creating hybrid teaching models. 

- Traditional history teaching often emphasizes national pride and civic values through a heritage-driven approach, but professional historians advocate for more inquiry-based and analytical methods. 

- Despite efforts by historians to reform history education since the 1920s, significant changes in teaching practices have not occurred, and history teaching in 2024 still resembles methods used decades ago. 

### Key Points

- Adults often unconsciously use commanding language with children, which can suppress their autonomy and self-expression. 

- The habit of assuming adults are "the boss" may lead to dismissing children's emotions and desires, teaching them to distrust their own feelings. 

- Threatening punishment for non-violent emotional expression reflects adult embarrassment rather than addressing the child’s needs. 

- Using reflective and conscious language helps children build trust in their emotions and fosters independent thinking. 

- Teacher Tom offers a 6-week course to teach adults how to communicate effectively with children, promoting cooperation and self-reliance. 

### Key Points

- Boys and girls generally associate engineering and computer science with males, but girls are slightly favored or equal in math and science. 

- Stereotypes about STEM fields begin forming in elementary school, influencing college majors and workforce diversity. 

- Women earn only 21% of computer science and engineering degrees but 60% of biological sciences degrees in the U.S. 

- Underrepresentation in STEM impacts technology design, such as medical equipment fitting only one gender or technology failing to recognize certain skin tones. 

- Surveys of over 2,700 students in New England and the South show small progress in breaking stereotypes, with girls slightly advantaged in math and science. 

- A 2021 study by the same research team revealed that gender stereotypes about engineering and computer science emerge as early as age six. 

- Increasing exposure to computer science through coding classes and equal opportunities for all children can help combat stereotypes and diversify STEM fields. 

Education Research Report: Eating disorders: The hidden health crisis on college campuses https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/05/eating-disorders-hidden-health-crisis.html 

Eating disorders are a significant yet often overlooked health issue on college campuses, affecting students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. A study by Washington University in St. Louis, surveying nearly 30,000 students across 26 institutions, found that 13% showed signs of eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and anorexia nervosa. The research challenges stereotypes that eating disorders primarily affect thin, white women, revealing that students from diverse racial and ethnic groups face similar risks. These disorders are frequently linked to other mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, emphasizing the need for integrated treatment approaches. The Body U program, developed by researchers, provides online screening, prevention, and tailored support for eating disorders in Missouri, extending its reach to public universities and schools.

### Key Points

- Eating disorders affect 13% of college students, regardless of race or ethnicity, challenging stereotypes about who is at risk. 

- The most common disorders identified were bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, with anorexia nervosa being less prevalent. 

- Eating disorders often coexist with mental health issues like depression and anxiety, highlighting the importance of integrated care. 

- Early identification and treatment are crucial, as eating disorders can be hidden and overlooked, even by medical professionals. 

- The Body U program offers free online resources, screening, and tailored support for eating disorders, expanding its outreach across Missouri. 

Are Community Schools the Positive Disruptor Public Education Needs?

### Key Points

- Community schools in La Crosse, Wisconsin, aim to restore trust in public education by addressing broader student and family needs, including health, housing, and transportation. 

- The community schools model emphasizes collaboration among schools, families, and local organizations, fostering trust and shared governance. 

- Hamilton Elementary School’s adoption of the community schools approach has improved relationships, family engagement, and school culture, though academic performance impacts remain unclear. 

- Outreach efforts like family nights and needs assessments have increased community involvement and trust, despite challenges with some families. 

- The approach highlights disparities between public schools and charter schools, showing how community schools can bridge divides in race, income, and ability while promoting inclusivity. 

- Hamilton and SOTA (a charter school sharing its campus) collaborate on programs, though differences in governance and student demographics persist. 

- Community schools are viewed as a potential “positive disruptor” in public education, fostering long-term transformation and addressing systemic inequalities. 

- The article explores the continuity of history and social studies teaching methods over the past six decades, noting that while teachers are better prepared and have access to new technologies, the teaching organization has remained largely unchanged. 

- Research on how history is taught is limited, with few direct classroom observations conducted in recent decades. Most available studies describe predominantly teacher-centered methods, such as lectures and textbook use. 

- A small percentage (10-15%) of teachers incorporate student-centered techniques, blending traditional and innovative practices, including group work, research projects, and critical analysis of primary sources. 

- History teaching often focuses on cultivating national identity and patriotism, with an emphasis on figures like the founding fathers and historical heroes, but this approach faces criticism for lacking objectivity and depth. 

- Professional historians have long advocated for a more inquiry-based and analytical approach to teaching history, but these efforts have had limited impact on classroom practices. 

- Despite the value placed on history education by various stakeholders, significant changes in teaching methods have yet to occur. 

- The California Department of Education (CDE) will host a free School Nutrition Town Hall webinar on May 27, 2025, to discuss federal and state policies, funding, training opportunities, and best practices for Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs). 

- Important operational dates for summer nutrition programs include deadlines for submitting applications for the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), promoting summer meals, and obtaining food safety inspections. 

- Draft webinar slides will be available on the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) web page before the event, and final slides will be posted afterward. 

- Registration for the webinar is free, with confirmation and reminder emails sent to participants. Attendees are encouraged to test their Zoom setup beforehand. 

- Resources shared during the webinars include policy updates, program management guides, USDA nondiscrimination statements, and links to tools like the California Meals for Kids Mobile App. 

- Contact information for various program-related inquiries, including SFSP applications, Buy American provisions, and rural meal service options, is provided. 

- The article critiques Trump's MAGA curriculum, which emphasizes nationalism, militarism, and a sanitized historical narrative, opposing democratic education that values critical thinking, inclusivity, and civic engagement. 

- Trump's education policies aim to promote patriotism while banning discussions on diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and civil rights history, likened to autocratic regimes' indoctrination methods. 

- Historical parallels are drawn between the MAGA curriculum and militarist regimes, such as Putin's Russia, which uses education to foster nationalism and loyalty for imperial ambitions. 

- Democrats have also contributed to education issues, including supporting military academies in urban schools, highlighting the bipartisan complexity of the "curriculum wars." 

- The broader context of education battles in the U.S. reflects ongoing ideological conflicts over history, civic values, and inclusivity in schools. 

Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-8-25

The article is a comprehensive roundup of recent political, educational, and societal issues, including Trump-era policies, systemic inequalities, grassroots activism, and challenges to democracy. It highlights the impacts of authoritarian governance, resistance efforts, and the need for systemic reforms in education and public policies.  

### Key Points  

- Former President Trump threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status and targeted the university with federal actions, reflecting his pattern of using power to silence dissent and undermine democratic principles.   

- Secretary Linda McMahon sent a threatening letter to Harvard, accusing the university of racism and mismanagement, and warning of withheld funding, which Harvard plans to challenge legally.   

- Thom Hartmann critiques Trump as a destructive force against democracy, citing his authoritarian tendencies, mishandling of the COVID pandemic, and incitement of violence.   

- Senator Thom Tillis opposed Ed Martin’s nomination as U.S. Attorney in D.C. due to Martin’s controversial stances and ties to January 6 insurrectionists. Public advocacy played a role in blocking the nomination.   

- Teacher Tom emphasizes the importance of empowering children through informative communication instead of directive commands, fostering independence and cooperation.   

- Teacher Appreciation Week highlights the need for systemic changes, such as fair pay and supportive policies, to truly value educators beyond symbolic gestures.   

- The "word gap" narrative, which claims children from lower-income families hear fewer words, is critiqued for its flawed methodology and deficit-based ideology, perpetuating educational inequality.   

- ARISE advocates for a member-led union to address challenges like budget cuts, emphasizing transparency, social justice, and community empowerment in education.   

- Linda McMahon’s confirmation hearing reflected Republican efforts to undermine public education through privatization and cuts, with Democrats struggling to present a cohesive counter-narrative.   

- Trump-era tariffs significantly increased Chromebook prices, threatening K12 education budgets and the sustainability of 1-to-1 computer learning models.   

- Racial discrimination in schools harms Black students’ mental health, as a University of Ottawa study links it to depression and anxiety, calling for systemic anti-racist reforms.   

- DEI initiatives face right-wing opposition but aim to address historical inequalities and promote justice, innovation, and equity in education and workplaces.   

- California allocated $618 million to community schools, integrating health and social services with education to improve outcomes for high-need communities.   

- The Trump Administration enacted executive orders undermining civil rights, public health, education, and environmental protections, sparking legal and political opposition.   

- Grassroots activism has been crucial in resisting authoritarian policies, preserving democratic values, and challenging corporate-driven education reforms.