Save Martin Luther King from Obsolescence

The Real King Image and ownership of image are a trip. Especially on Martin Luther King Day. What is Dr. King’s image, vs. what he really represented in his life. If we are to believe the dominant institutions, we may think that his main contribution was reconciling with white people or turning the other cheek…. Read more »

Objects in Mirror are Closer Than They Appear

Objects in Mirror are… As lightning struck closer and closer, I looked to other parents who chatted casually on the sidelines. I felt almost embarrassed to be the one to raise the alarm as I sheepishly approached by daughter’s soccer coach and exclaimed as calmly as I could, “Coach, I think we need to get… Read more »

Public Education and the Spectre of Fascism

The Spectre of Fascism “Fascism is capitalism in decay”, said Lenin. We’ve seen this before. When the traditional capitalist system is failing, there are cracks within the ruling class, and its accompanying political structures are in turmoil, a section of that class backs a strongman for its own protection. These strongmen have a populist appeal,… Read more »

Last posting

Earlier today I passed along word to Tim Slekar that while I’ve appreciated the chance to be a part of the BustED Pencils group, growing responsibilities in other areas of my life will make it hard to be consistent with the Trending News here. I am sneaking in one last post, though, with two requests… Read more »

‘You’re fired!’: NY school board chair opens a massive can of whoopass on Trump racist Carl Paladino

Part of me wants to be amazed people like Paladino are even remotely involved in education. Most of me recognizes assholes like this exist everywhere. “They would like me to tell you, ‘You’re fired,’” (School Board President Barbara Seals) Nevergold continued, as the audience applauded. She asked that he do the right thing and resign.”… Read more »

The Anti-Authoritarian Academic Code of Conduct (Updated)

The Anti-Authoritarian Academic Code of Conduct (Updated)   1. I will not aid in the registering, rounding-up, or internment of students and colleagues on the basis of their religious beliefs.   2. I will not aid in the marginalization, exclusion, or deportation of my undocumented students and colleagues.   3. I will, as my capacities… Read more »

“Bankruptcy is not a problem for kids”

“Bankruptcy is not a problem for kids”. Oh yes, she actually said it. Who? CEO of EdBuild, Rebecca Sibilia, formerly of StudentsFirst. Who is EdBuild? According to their website, “EdBuild is a catalyst organization, working to fundamentally disrupt the status quo of illogical & inequitable school funding.” Go figure that their donors include the Walton,… Read more »

The Special Ed Students Deserve

We continually say that in order to be heard, teachers must speak. Awesome to see Chicago teacher Katie Osgood doing exactly that. From this post in Jacobin: “In recent years, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has attempted to implement free-market reforms to its special-education program, closely following the strategy that then–Secretary of Education Arne Duncan laid… Read more »

From 2011: Got Dough? How Billionaires Rule Our Schools

Had the good fortune tonight of having someone on Facebook share this article written by Joanne Barkan in 2011. We continue to preach the truth about what she wrote back then: “A few billion dollars in private foundation money, strategically invested every year for a decade, has sufficed to define the national debate on education;… Read more »