Sunday, December 7, 2025

ICYMI: Chorus Edition (12/7)

The CMO of the Institute (that's Chief Marital Officer) sings in a community chorus because, among other reasons, she objectively has a voice much like that of an angel. It is one of those small town community things that we are able to enjoy, an example of how the people in a small town come together in a variety of different ways. Part of what is essential to the small town life is that you meet a lot of individuals in more than one context; that goes double for teachers. It's rare that you know a person just one way. The guys I used to buy my tires from grew up down the street from me and I used to babysit them; later I taught their children in school. And until they went out of business last month, I bought my tires from them, just like I used to buy them from their father. I have a million stories like that. Everyone in a small town does.

So anyway, this afternoon the CMO will sing with a community chorus an assortment of Christmas tunes and it will be lovely. December is an especially busy time for musicians. Please remember to show some appreciation to whatever musicians are lighting up your community.

Now for this week's list.

A Quiet Revolution Is Improving Schools

At The Progressive, Jeff Bryant points out that the community school movement is showing some real gains, even as the regime is not interested in supporting them.

How Trump 2.0 upended education research and statistics in one year

Jill Barshay at Hechinger Report takes us through the timeline of the regime's assault on actual education data and how that is taking us into a world in which we'll be flying blind when it comes to knowing what is really going on in schools.

Quinta Brunson wants thousands of Philly kids to have free school field trips

Philadelphia Inquirer has the story of Brunson's new field trip fund for Philly schools. Well done.

Kansas City tripled its share of Latino teachers in recent years so students can 'feel seen'

In 2019, just 1% of educators were Latino. The school district actually did something about it.

Which Parents Get “Parental Rights?” In This Ohio School, It’s Those Who Hate LGBTQ+ People

Parental rights are only for certain parents; that's always been a feature of the movement. Kelly Jensen at Bookriot shows how that plays out in one particular district.

Youth. For Christ? At School?

Youth For Christ is yet another group that believes the door is wide open for them to start recruiting in schools. Nancy Flanagan takes a look.

What is Heritage's "Phoenix Declaration"?

Several pieces have been written about this slice of baloney, but if you'd like one more look, here's a perspective from Steve Nuzum.

First Focus on Children’s Bruce Lesley Decries Trump’s Abandonment of Our Society’s Vulnerable Children

Jan Resseger looks into Bruce Lesley's dynamite piece about abandoning children.


Gary Rubinstein offers his review of Diane Ravitch's newest book. Do you have your copy yet? Get on it.

Teaching in a Season of Fascism

Matt Brady argues that when cruelty is policy, teachers are called to do some of the most important work in the country.

50 years after the birth of special education, some fear for its future under Trump

Happy birthday, Special Ed! Let's hope you've got a few more years left. Cory Turner looks at the occasion for NPR.


Cameron Dick's article will tell you nothing that you already know. But this piece was published at Zen Parent, and if you are looking for something to share with someone who is new to the issue, this is a fine choice.

3 states are challenging precedent against posting the Ten Commandments in public schools – cases that could land back at the Supreme Court

Charles Russo and Lydia Artz provide an overview of the current cases stacked up against posting the Ten Commandments in public schools.  At the Conversation.

Jeffrey Yass, Pennsylvania’s richest man, details how school vouchers drive his massive political spending operation in rare interview with Washington Post

The Washington Post ran an interview with Yass, but I don't have a WaPo subscription any more. However, the Philadelphia Inquirer ran a piece about the WaPo piece, and it captures many of the features of this rotten billionaire. 

Talking With Paul Kedrosky

Paul Krugman talks to Kedrosky and comes up with a pretty good explanation of AI stuff and why they are writing for a 37 year old guy on Reddit.

AI is Destroying the University and Learning Itself

If you want a really depressingly apocalyptic view of AI at the college level, Ronald Purser at Current Affairs has got you covered.

The People Outsourcing Their Thinking to AI

This Atlantic piece by Lila Shroff is worth it just for the coinage "LLeMmings." I love a good made word.

Flock Uses Overseas Gig Workers to Build Its Surveillance AI

From Wired, a reminder that sometimes AI isn't AI at all-- just a bunch of humans hiding behind a screen.

The New Anxiety of Our Time Is Now on TV

Ted Gioia connects Pluribus, fear, and the trouble with AI. 

Penn State Exceptionalism Meets Reality

What happens when a school (or, say, any organization) discovers that it's not really as exceptional as it likes to think it is? Full disclosure-- this is by Ben Jones, my nephew.

This week at Forbes.com, I took a look at two new challenges to the wall between church and state, part of the quest to feed even more tax dollars to private religious schools. Honestly, more people should have read this and paid attention, but at least a few months from now I can say, "I told you so."

This week's palate cleanser is Gregory Hines paying tribute to Gene Kelly


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