The Attack on Dr. Jill Biden is Cloaked Hatred of Teachers and Public Education

Much has been written about the offensiveness of the Wall Street Journal’s Epstein opinion piece on Dr. Jill Biden. It lacks respect for Dr. Biden, a veteran teacher, deeply committed to her profession and community college students, but it’s also meant to ridicule teaching and public education.

First, it’s never wise to criticize intellectual pursuit, to deride a person for bettering themselves, for improving their knowledge and understanding of the world. This is especially true of teachers who prepare students for their futures.

Source: The Attack on Dr. Jill Biden is Cloaked Hatred of Teachers and Public Education

CURMUDGUCATION: Mrs. Gates Still Doesn’t Get It, Still.

Last week the New York Times decided to offer one more glowing portrait of Melinda Gates, unintentionally underlining the work of rich folk critic Anand Giridharadas and explaining, again, that she doesn’t get the problem of Gates riches in education.

Source: CURMUDGUCATION: Mrs. Gates Still Doesn’t Get It, Still.

McKinsey & Company Uses Falling Behind Talk to Ramp Up School Toughness

For years McKinsey & Company has had a premier seat at the school reform table for the U.S., England, and worldwide, despite faulty reporting. Because of Covid-19, plans are being put in place to get tougher on students to make up for lost learning time. They use terms like high impact and high dosage tutoring. These plans often echo how students must learn for the future economy. But such pressure, after a year like no other, could be devastating to children.

The narrative goes like this: poor children of color from Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous communities have fallen behind in school due to Covid-19, so the country needs to ramp up instruction.

Source: McKinsey & Company Uses Falling Behind Talk to Ramp Up School Toughness

How to Do Formative Assessment in Distance Learning | Edutopia

Schools are closed but schooling goes on, and it remains crucial that teachers find ways to see what students are learning.

Source: How to Do Formative Assessment in Distance Learning | Edutopia

‘It’s hurting us’: Students at one Philadelphia school demand less screen time – Chalkbeat Philadelphia

Complaints of stress, depression at Kensington Creative and Performing Arts High School

Source: ‘It’s hurting us’: Students at one Philadelphia school demand less screen time – Chalkbeat Philadelphia

Winning Comedy Pet Photos Are Silly Fun

The world needs more dancing cats and laughing dogs.

Source: Winning Comedy Pet Photos Are Silly Fun