Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-18-25
McMahon Announces Increase in Funding to Federal Charter Schools Program, Despite Multiple Failures https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/17/mcmahon-announces-increase-in-funding-to-federal-charter-schools-program-despite-multiple-failures/
### Key Points
- Secretary of Education Linda McMahon increased funding for the Federal Charter Schools Program by $60 million, raising the annual total to $500 million.
- Reports from the Network for Public Education revealed $1 billion wasted on charter schools that never opened and high closure rates among federally funded charter schools.
- Critics argue that charter school privatization prioritizes wealthy investors over public education, exacerbating waste, fraud, and corruption.
- A provision in the House GOP reconciliation package could allow wealthy voucher funders to avoid taxation, intensifying the privatization of public education.
Trump's Amazing Accomplishments in the Middle East https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/17/trumps-accomplishments-in-the-middle-east/
### Key Points
- Donald Trump secured significant business deals in the Middle East, including luxury projects in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Qatar, and a Trump Hotel in Damascus.
- Trump received a $400 million jet as a "gift to the nation" from Dubai, though its conversion to Air Force One could cost up to $1 billion.
- Trump avoided addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and did not visit Israel, raising concerns about neglecting pressing issues.
- Critics accuse the Trump administration of corruption and prioritizing personal gains, with controversial proposals like relocating Palestinians to Libya for business interests.
- Discussions arose about Trump's supporters' unwavering loyalty and the administration's potential privatization of military functions.
Bruce Springsteen's "Message to America" and Trump's Reply https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/17/bruce-springsteens-message-to-america-and-trumps-reply/
### Key Points
- Bruce Springsteen criticized the state of America, highlighting issues like suppression of free speech, civil rights rollbacks, and mistreatment of workers and immigrants.
- Springsteen expressed hope in America’s resilience, referencing James Baldwin’s belief in humanity.
- President Trump reacted negatively to Springsteen’s statements, showcasing his sensitivity to criticism.
- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 against Trump’s administration, affirming due process rights for all individuals in the U.S., including non-citizens.
- The ruling emphasized that constitutional rights apply to all under U.S. jurisdiction, reflecting the Founding Fathers’ commitment to universal human rights.
OH MAMA! HOW MAGA BECAME MAD AGAIN: WALMART, TARIFFS AND THE PRICE OF BILLIONAIRE TAX CUTS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/05/oh-mama-how-maga-became-mad-again.html
### Key Points
- Walmart announces price hikes due to tariffs, impacting consumers and exposing the economic irony of billionaire-backed policies.
- Trump-era tax cuts benefited billionaires like the Walton family but strained middle-class and low-income Americans.
- Tariffs and cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP disproportionately harm Trump’s voter base, leading to political dissatisfaction.
- Walmart struggles with balancing loyalty to Trump and maintaining its low-price business model amidst rising costs.
- The broader narrative critiques the disconnect between political promises and economic realities for average Americans.
RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOLS - A HOLY MESS FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE (SUPREME COURT AUDIO) https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/05/religious-charter-schools-holy-mess-for.html
### Key Points
- The case of St. Isidore Catholic School challenges the separation of church and state by seeking public funding while maintaining its religious identity.
- Critics argue that allowing religious charter schools could blur the line between church and state, undermining the secular nature of public education.
- Proponents cite legal precedents like *Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer* and *Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue*, arguing that excluding religious schools from public funding is discriminatory.
- The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled against St. Isidore, but the U.S. Supreme Court's decision could overturn this and redefine charter school regulations nationwide.
- Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself, leaving Chief Justice John Roberts as a potential swing vote in the case.
- A ruling in favor of St. Isidore could lead to widespread inclusion of religious schools in public funding programs, raising concerns about curriculum, admissions, and state oversight.
- Broader implications include potential challenges to other public services and the erosion of the church-state divide.
Cyberbullying in any form can be traumatizing for kids https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/05/cyberbullying-in-any-form-can-be.html
- Cyberbullying, regardless of its form, is a significant source of trauma for adolescents and should be considered an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE).
- A study involving 2,697 U.S. students aged 13 to 17 found that even indirect forms of cyberbullying, like exclusion or gossip, are as harmful as direct threats.
- Emotional impacts of cyberbullying can deeply affect a young person’s sense of safety, identity, and well-being, regardless of the type of bullying experienced.
- Girls and younger teens are more likely to experience higher levels of trauma from cyberbullying, though the overall frequency of victimization is the strongest predictor of trauma symptoms.
- Cyberbullying accounts for 32% of the differences in trauma levels among students, emphasizing the need for protective factors like family support, friendships, and resilience.
- Experts advocate for trauma-informed approaches in schools, including emotional safety protocols, crisis intervention plans, and mindfulness practices to address cyberbullying.
Trump's Narcissistic Personality Disorder https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/05/trumps-narcissistic-personality-disorder.html
### Key Points
- Glen Brown reflects on the writer's role in addressing societal issues and resisting oppression.
- The blog critiques Donald Trump's personality traits, analyzing them through the framework of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).
- The author warns of the dangers posed by Trump's authoritarian tendencies and their potential to undermine democracy.
- Broader topics like public pensions, Illinois politics, social justice, healthcare, and education reform are also explored.
Paperless Office, Paperless Classroom, and Paperless Toilet? Limits to New Technologies https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2025/05/17/paperless-office-paperless-classroom-and-paperless-toilet-limits-to-new-technologies/
- Predictions of a paperless office from 1975 have not materialized, as paper continues to serve important cognitive and practical needs across various fields.
- Paper offers tangible, flexible, and tailorable benefits that digital formats often cannot replicate, such as annotation and spatial organization.
- Examples of paper's continued relevance include its use in writing processes, medical checklists for surgeries, and flight control operations.
- Despite advancements in technology, such as bidet-equipped toilets, paper remains dominant in areas like bathrooms and personal preferences.
- The article emphasizes that technology is a tool, but individual habits and preferences ensure paper's persistence in many aspects of life.
Seattle School Board Special Meeting for Superintendent Search 2025 - Seattle Schools Community Forum https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2025/05/seattle-school-board-special-meeting.html
### Key Points
- The Seattle School Board is conducting a superintendent search with assistance from HYA, focusing on trust-building, accountability, and inclusivity.
- HYA's search process includes community engagement, recruitment, candidate selection, and transition, with 20 outreach sessions planned.
- The Board discussed blind applications to reduce bias and emphasized the importance of community feedback through surveys and focus groups.
- The timeline includes candidate recruitment until July 31, 2025, interviews in August, and final selection with an extensive vetting process.
- Concerns were raised about SPS's history of poor community engagement, with efforts to improve inclusivity and representation in this process.
UFT Spring Conference Notes https://open.substack.com/pub/arthurgoldstein/p/uft-spring-conference-notes?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- The author recounts a personal story as an ESL teacher and the struggles with fixing a broken classroom doorknob.
- The UFT Spring Conference 2025 was held at the New York Hilton, featuring mayoral candidates discussing key educational policies.
- Michael Mulgrew, UFT leader, questioned candidates about keeping health insurance premium-free and Tier 6 pension reform but did not address retiree health care issues.
- Candidates unanimously supported reducing the retirement age to 55 for Tier 6 members and pledged to support the para bill.
- The UFT has chosen not to support legislation (1096) that would protect retirees despite having significant council support for other bills.
- Criticism of Mulgrew's approach to retiree health care and his stance on the Taylor Law and collective bargaining.
- The author reflects on the lack of understanding among candidates about teaching, despite their claims of connection to educators.
- Exhibits at the conference showcased historical school items, sparking nostalgic reflections from the author.
- The author humorously notes the use of outdated tools like Delaney Books and electric eraser cleaners, comparing them to modern technology.
- Mayoral candidates discussed their plans to address Tier 6, mayoral control, bureaucracy, and teacher autonomy.
- Candidates criticized the current administration’s handling of education and pledged to fight federal policies threatening public education.
- Andrew Cuomo defended his record but faced criticism for his role in passing Tier 6, which he called "ancient history."
- Candidates agreed on the need for better pay and benefits for paraprofessionals and teachers to attract and retain talent.
- Discussions emphasized the need to reorganize DOE bureaucracy and reduce scripted lessons to give teachers more autonomy.
- Candidates expressed strong opposition to federal cuts and privatization efforts, pledging to defend public education and union rights.
- Scott Stringer and other candidates shared their perspectives on mayoral control, focusing on collaboration and reducing bureaucracy.
- The author highlights the importance of empowering educators and ensuring they have a voice in policy decisions.
- The article ends with a critique of UFT leadership and a call for better support for teachers and retirees.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-17-25
### Summary
The article compiles a variety of educational, political, and societal issues, touching on topics like public education reforms, controversies surrounding influential figures, systemic biases, and the impact of policies on marginalized communities. It highlights the consequences of certain government decisions, the role of leadership, and the need for systemic change to create a more equitable society.
### Key Points
- Michael Tomasky criticizes Elon Musk for harmful actions affecting government services, public welfare, and global health.
- Stephen Miller's proposal to suspend habeas corpus for immigration cases is deemed unconstitutional and undermines judicial review.
- RFK Jr.'s contradictory vaccine messaging during a measles outbreak causes public confusion and declining vaccination rates.
- The GOP tax bill benefits the wealthy, enforces school vouchers, and exacerbates inequities in public education.
- The Trump administration cancels research grants at Harvard, threatening academic freedom and funding for critical research.
- Walmart raises prices due to tariffs, highlighting economic struggles for consumers and the irony of policies funded by billionaire donors.
- Internalized prejudice within marginalized communities perpetuates colonial biases; systemic change is needed for equity.
- The Trump DOJ claims selective compliance with court orders, raising concerns about constitutional erosion and authoritarianism.
- AI is criticized for lacking objective truth, with biases reflecting human input and managerial agendas.
- Teacher Tom reflects on guiding children through mistakes, emphasizing dignity, independence, and learning from struggles.
- NYC DOE faces criticism for weak student data privacy protections and mishandling a major data breach.
- Woodbridge School District promotes a controversial figure despite past misconduct, raising concerns about accountability.
- Tennessee's school voucher program sparks debates on public vs. private education, alongside other educational challenges.
- The potential dismantling of the Department of Education could harm vulnerable groups and undermine equitable education.
- Boys outperform girls in STEM post-COVID, reversing prior gender equity gains, with global implications.
- Cross-age tutoring shows positive academic and behavioral effects for both tutors and tutees, with broad applicability.
- UFT leadership faces criticism for undermining members' healthcare and restricting advocacy group affiliations.
- Seattle Public Schools' governance model, SOFG, sparks controversy over costs and reduced democratic accountability.
- California schools receive Civic Learning Awards for promoting civic education and democratic engagement.
- Religious charter schools seeking public funding raise concerns about the separation of church and state.
- Trump's policies, including tariffs and Medicaid cuts, harm rural and working-class Americans, sparking backlash.
