ICYMI: And Now We Are X Edition (7/30)

No point in saying someone is good and rich, because if you're really rich, you don't have to be good at much of anything. Here are some things to read.

Top 2 leaders of Arizona's school voucher program abruptly resign.

Arizona's taxpayer subsidy for private schools looks to run a $319 deficit. Suddenly, a little accountability is looking good to a few people.

Accountability needed before spending millions in taxpayer money on private-school tuition vouchers in Pennsylvania

Speaking of which, the Lancaster Online editorial board suggests that an unaccountable voucher program wouldn't be a big win for PA taxpayers.

North Carolina Republicans poised to triple funding for nation’s least accountable school voucher program

But fans of taxpayer subsidies for private schools would much rather throw more money at them than talk about where that money lands. Juston Parmenter looks at how that's playing out in North Carolina.

So Good a [Lost] Cause (Part 1)

Steve Nuzum in South Carolina, looking at Orrin Smith, the guy who shouldn't be put in charge of higher education for so many reasons--but probably will be. 

Can school choice support district-led efforts to foster diverse schools?

Spoiler alert: No. Brookings has some actual research to back that up.

Florida’s Black history standards are even worse than reported

Much cyber ink has been spilled on the interwebs over the new Florida Black history standards, but one of the best takes comes from Michael Harriot at The Grio. There's more to it than just the up side of slavery.

DeSantis officials push back on Byron Donalds’ criticism of African American history standards

One amazing side feature of the Florida standards flap-- right wing anti-public ed guy Byron Donalds (husband of one of the leading anti-public ed voices in Florida) actually broke ranks and got called names by fellow anti-public ed politician Manny Diaz. 

Most of Florida work group did not agree with controversial parts of state's new standards for Black history, members say

Meanwhile, NBC reports that maybe not everyone on the super-duper commission that created the standards agreed with the final product.

Who is Terry Stoops and What is the Purpose of the FLDOE’s “Academically Successful and Resilient Districts” Office?

Short answer-- a government official installed to provide support to conservative board members in Florida. But Sue Kingery Woltanski has the longer answer, which co0nnects Stoops to a far-ranging web of the usual players. 

Conservatives are changing K-12 education, and one Christian college is at the center

Also ay NBC, Tyler Kingkaide takes a deep dive into Hillsdale College and their work at promoting Christian nationalism in education.

Surprising Conversations: Talking to Early Childhood Parents About Gender and Education

From the blog Educating Gender, an interesting look at how some gender issues play out in real classrooms, and how real parents connect to them.

Arthur children’s book faces potential Florida ban over claim it ‘damaged souls’

In Florida, any yahoo can challenge a school book (courtesy lawmaker Byron Donalds, mentioned above). And that gets you ridiculous stories like this, covered by Maya Yang for the Guardian, in which a 34 year old book about one of the blandest characters in children's lit draws someone's ire.

Parents take the reins in Florida's book censorship fight

"Reins" might be a bit strong, but Deirdra Funcheon at Axios has the story of some Moms who actually kind of like the idea of books being read. 

Virtual charter school board hires outside legal team

Oh, Oklahoma, where the windy right wingers come sweeping down the plain. The board that approved the (illegal) Catholic virtual charter school has gotten itself some legal representation, like the Alliance Defending Freedom, the christianist nationalist law firm that lives for these sorts of cases.

(Almost) All You Need is Love

Nancy Flanagan with some reflection on need for teachers to actually care about students. 

In world of retirements and job-hopping, Jersey City school unlocks secret to retaining 95% of its teachers

Joshua Rosario at the Jersey Journal (watch out for the paywall) takes a look at how one school has benefited from the community school model.

I don't ordinarily put a tweet (or whatever we're supposed to call them now) on this list, but Adam Laats pulled a quote that you absolutely have to remember every time Chris Rufo's name comes up.

We Promise Our STEM Toys Will Never Teach Your Child The Humanities

Donovan Tann at McSweeney's. 

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