The hottest Education & Policy Substack posts right now

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Betsy DeVos: Shut Down the Department of Education

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 6654 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Government reform Public funding Political Opinion
  1. The Department of Education has spent over $1 trillion since it started, but student performance gaps have only worsened. This shows that the department isn't fixing the issues it was made to address.
  2. Most students are falling behind, with many fourth graders struggling to read and do basic math. The scores for the lowest performing students are the worst they've ever been.
  3. The Department of Education mainly acts as a middleman that complicates funding without improving education. It doesn't run schools or employ teachers, so some believe it should be shut down.

Chartbook 349 Scholasticides

Chartbook • 2846 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Cultural Issues International relations
  1. Cultural genocide is often part of larger genocidal plans. To erase a culture, you have to destroy its education and learning systems.
  2. Scholasticide, which targets educational institutions, can both support genocide and stand alone as an attack on a society's future.
  3. In conflicts like those in Gaza and Sudan, education systems face extreme challenges. The destruction in Gaza is unmatched, impacting universities and severing communication for students and educators.

puberty disruptors

bad cattitude • 194 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Education & Policy Health Policy Child welfare Gender identity
  1. Children are going through confusing times during puberty, and it's normal for them to feel lost. Instead of supporting them through these challenges, some ideas today make them feel like they should question their gender, which can lead to more confusion.
  2. There are serious risks in pushing kids towards gender-changing treatments without fully understanding the consequences. These medical actions can change their lives forever in harmful ways.
  3. Our society needs to focus on helping kids understand that feeling awkward during puberty is okay. We should protect them from ideas that could cause more harm rather than supporting them through their natural development.

Inexplicable Cuts at the Dept. of Education

The Good Science Project • 107 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Government spending Research Funding Federal Agencies
  1. The Department of Education recently canceled many important research contracts worth millions, which could hurt understanding of U.S. education performance. It's like throwing away progress that’s already been made.
  2. Some of the canceled projects were mandated by Congress, meaning they were created to meet specific educational goals. Stopping them now is not only wasteful but also goes against legislative intentions.
  3. High-quality education research is crucial for making informed decisions about teaching and learning. Canceling these studies may leave educators and policymakers without the data they need to improve education.

A Declaration of Revival and Redemption

Journal of Free Black Thought • 54 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Family Values Education & Policy Community Initiatives
  1. There is a call to restore the traditional two-parent family structure in the Black community. This shift is seen as crucial for improving the overall wellbeing of children and families.
  2. The education system is a focus for change, emphasizing the need for school choice and vocational training to better prepare students for success.
  3. The movement advocates for a return to Christian values and community support for initiatives that strengthen families and provide quality education.
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Thoughts of Chairman Mao on GenZ

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1383 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Education & Policy Social Critique Public Policy
  1. Many younger people today have a lot of education but lack real-world experience. This can lead to confusing ideas about life and work.
  2. There’s a suggestion that younger generations should engage in hands-on jobs or military service to gain practical skills and understanding.
  3. The older generations could help by admitting mistakes in how they educated younger people and offer real job training to help reduce issues like student debt.

Politics is Full of Bad People Who Do Good Things

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 4779 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ideology Conservatism Education & Policy Governance
  1. Sometimes, people who support bad ideas can still create good outcomes. It's important to recognize that even if someone has questionable morals, their actions can still benefit society.
  2. In politics, it can be necessary to form alliances with those we don't agree with. Supporting a cause we believe in might require working with people whose values we find unappealing.
  3. Political strategies often need to adapt to reality. It's crucial to prioritize practical wins for individual freedoms, even if it means partnering with groups that don't fully align with our principles.

Joint University Programs with China Escape Financial Reporting

OpenTheBooks Substack • 157 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Relations Education & Policy National Security Government oversight
  1. Many American universities have received substantial funding from China, potentially beyond hundreds of millions and into the billions. This funding is often linked to joint research programs.
  2. Some universities, like UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech, have faced investigations for failing to report foreign funding accurately. This has raised concerns about national security and the influence of foreign entities in U.S. academia.
  3. There's a call for universities to improve their financial reporting and for Congress to strengthen laws to ensure all foreign funding is disclosed. This is important for protecting U.S. research and technology.

🏫 A DARPA for education

Faster, Please! • 1370 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Government reform Political Commentary Public Policy Economic Policy
  1. The U.S. Department of Education may need significant changes, focusing more on innovation and effective solutions rather than just maintaining the status quo. A proposed model inspired by DARPA could help create practical educational tools and practices.
  2. Shifting key functions of the Department of Education, like student aid and education research, to other agencies could improve efficiency. This would allow states to have more control over their education systems and tailor solutions to their specific needs.
  3. Using advancements in technology, especially artificial intelligence, could revolutionize education. A dedicated research organization for education could lead to important developments that enhance learning and address gaps created by recent challenges, like the pandemic.

America's Academic Gulag (w/ MIT Student Activists) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 124 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Education & Policy Activism Human Rights
  1. Students at MIT are speaking out against the university's involvement in military research that supports violence. They believe their work should be aligned with ethics and not contribute to harm.
  2. The university administration has been accused of trying to silence dissenting voices by disciplining students who criticize military collaborations. This raises concerns about freedom of speech and the treatment of student activists.
  3. There is a growing call for universities to reconsider their partnerships with the military and to support human rights. Students want their research to promote peace rather than contribute to violence.

🧠 Supporting America's smartest kids: A Quick Q&A with … political scientist Charles Murray

Faster, Please! • 731 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Standardized Testing Cognitive ability
  1. It's important for America to support and educate its academically gifted kids, especially in STEM fields. These kids can make big contributions to technology and the economy.
  2. Standardized tests are helpful for identifying talented students in mathematics and science. These tests can show who has the right abilities to succeed in tough STEM programs.
  3. Education should challenge gifted students to help them grow. They need to learn the value of hard work and humility alongside their academic strengths.

Federal Judge Denies A "Right To Bully" Trans Students In Ohio

Erin In The Morning • 5640 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transgender rights Discrimination Education & Policy
  1. A federal judge ruled that bullying transgender students through misgendering and harassment is not a right.
  2. The lawsuit aimed to overturn a policy protecting transgender students from harassment in the Olentangy Local School District.
  3. Courts are increasingly siding with transgender students against discrimination in schools.

DEI Blitz Reaches Buckeye Nation

OpenTheBooks Substack • 177 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Ideology Funding Civil Rights
  1. Ohio State University is investing a lot of money into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, spending over $13 million on DEI staff last year. This raises questions about the role of DEI in education and its impact on students.
  2. A significant amount of funding for universities comes from foreign sources, with Ohio State reporting millions from countries like China and Saudi Arabia. This highlights concerns about foreign influence on American education.
  3. Despite receiving billions in federal funding, Ohio State still accepted COVID-related financial help, even as other wealthy universities declined such funds. This reflects broader issues regarding financial management in higher education.

A roundup of some things from New Zealand, across the ditch - i.e. Australia - and the UK.

A B’Old Woman • 559 implied HN points • 29 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Public Policy Education & Policy Media Critique
  1. In New Zealand, there's been a big fuss about the Midwifery Council's new guidelines that ignored the words 'woman' and 'baby'. People are pushing back and filing complaints to get the guidelines changed.
  2. A group called 'Let Kids be Kids' is traveling around New Zealand to share concerns about inappropriate content in school relationships education. They are facing backlash but continue to raise awareness about their views.
  3. In the UK, the National Health Service is dropping inclusive language like 'chestfeeding' and stopping their rainbow badge program. Changes like these are being noticed in New Zealand, showing a wider conversation about gender issues.

Abolishing the Dept of Education

David Friedman’s Substack • 260 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Federal Government Trump administration Public funding
  1. Abolishing the Department of Education could mean different things, like removing it while keeping funding the same, or fully taking away its control and funding.
  2. One suggestion is to give education funds directly to states to let them decide how to use the money, which might keep education more local.
  3. Another idea is to create a voucher program, giving parents the choice of where to send their kids for education, potentially including various types of schools.

Keys to understanding: Video Q&A

The Bell Ringer • 179 implied HN points • 12 Jul 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods Education & Policy Curriculum design
  1. Teaching methods can vary greatly, and it's important to recognize these differences to improve learning experiences.
  2. Understanding the reasons behind different teaching styles can help educators connect better with their students.
  3. By exploring teaching fundamentals, both teachers and students can enhance their interactions and overall educational outcomes.

Diversity Whack-a-Mole: Controversial DOD Employee Pops Back Up at Education Department

OpenTheBooks Substack • 146 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Government oversight Social justice Federal Agencies
  1. Kelisa Wing, who was involved in the controversial DEI efforts at the Department of Defense Education Activity, has moved to the Department of Education and is earning a higher salary. This raises concerns about her continuing influence on education policies for a wider audience.
  2. The Pentagon's DEI office was dissolved amid controversy, but a new DEI Steering Committee was created, suggesting ongoing DEI initiatives behind the scenes. There's frustration about the lack of transparency regarding these efforts.
  3. Federal education policies must be clearer and free from objectionable ideologies. There's a push for both transparency in government contracts and for ensuring that education content aligns with American values.

Links to Consider, 11/27/2024

In My Tribe • 592 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Health care Civil Rights Political theory Social Issues
  1. Education systems were designed mainly to instill obedience and maintain social order, rather than to promote skills.
  2. Some cancer screening guidelines avoid discussing life expectancy, potentially putting patients at risk due to a lack of difficult conversations about their health.
  3. David Brooks argues that elite college admissions based on cognitive ability have created a new class society, but fails to recognize the moral arrogance and biases in the current system.

Christchurch Library and the secret it keeps from parents and the community.

A B’Old Woman • 839 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Community Engagement Youth Programs
  1. A program called 'Rainbow Drop-In' at Christchurch Library is not well advertised, making it hard for parents to find information.
  2. This program is run by an outside group called InsideOUT, which doesn’t provide clear information or communication to parents.
  3. There are concerns about the program's safety and transparency, especially regarding the involvement of vulnerable youth without parental consent.

Links to Consider, 12/6/2024

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Economic Policy Technology Policy Education & Policy Public Opinion
  1. Many single young women now believe they are happier being single than married. Furthermore, fewer of them want to become parents, which could change family dynamics in the future.
  2. There are misleading charts about labor compensation and productivity that mix up different measures, which can confuse people about economic realities. It's important to understand the context behind statistics.
  3. Age verification for social media users is a challenge that could potentially be addressed with better technology. However, it's essential to balance the benefits and dangers of social media while enforcing age limits.

It was a good day in New Zealand yesterday, Friday 24th November.

A B’Old Woman • 519 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Gender Issues Free speech
  1. New Zealand's new government is starting to change school curriculums to focus more on academics and less on gender ideology. This means less emphasis on topics around gender and sexuality for students.
  2. Sporting policies are changing to ensure fair competition, which means only biological women will compete in women's sports. This is a response to concerns about men participating in women's categories.
  3. The new government is also taking steps to protect free speech by rejecting hate speech laws and ensuring universities maintain free speech policies. This shows a commitment to open discussions and diverse viewpoints.

5 Lessons from Stanford's COVID Conference

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 129 implied HN points • 06 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic response Public Health Education & Policy Mental health Data Analysis
  1. Closing elementary schools during the pandemic may have been a bad idea because kids were not significant spreaders of COVID-19. Some experts, like Anders Tegnell from Sweden, believed this from the start.
  2. Many people now agree that long school closures were harmful, but some didn't speak up about it at the time. It shows the importance of questioning popular opinions instead of just following the crowd.
  3. Countries that had less income inequality tended to handle the pandemic better than those with more inequality. Access to basic healthcare might have played a bigger role than strict lockdowns or border closures.

Let's Discuss One Of The Worst Ideas Influential Public Intellectuals Have Embraced Recently

Singal-Minded • 581 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🚌 Education Standardized Testing College Admissions Education & Policy
  1. SAT is a valuable tool for predicting a high school student's future college performance.
  2. It's not inherently racist if certain racial groups perform differently on standardized tests.
  3. Reducing reliance on SATs in college admissions can disproportionately affect students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Rewritten

Disaffected Newsletter • 699 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Social justice Activism
  1. Some people believe that modern queer activists are trying to influence children, claiming this openly in videos.
  2. A public figure misrepresented the history of the Stonewall riots, falsely including people who weren't involved.
  3. New laws in California could allow kids to receive mental health treatment without informing their parents, raising concerns about parental rights.

Report to House Committee on Antisemitism at Rutgers

Unsafe Science • 54 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Antisemitism
  1. Rutgers University has faced criticism for how it handled incidents of antisemitism on campus. Many students involved in protests or acts of hate faced little to no punishment.
  2. In contrast, some Jewish students were disciplined for speaking out against antisemitism. This raised concerns about fairness and protection for all students on campus.
  3. The report highlights specific cases where Rutgers seemed to protect those who promoted violence or hate while punishing those who raised concerns about it. This has sparked significant debate about campus safety and free speech.

Rebellion!

Disaffected Newsletter • 519 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Education & Policy Media Critique Activism Mental health
  1. A therapist discusses Nevada's focus on 'affirmation only' gender ideology and offers advice on finding a non-activist therapist.
  2. People are starting to resist extreme gender policies in schools, highlighted by principals criticizing students for not supporting LGBTQ events.
  3. There is controversy over schools providing inappropriate materials in libraries, as some believe it harms children despite claims of promoting diversity.

November 16, 2024

Letters from an American • 25 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Political History Civil Rights Federal Funding Public Opinion
  1. The Department of Education mainly collects statistics and provides funding, but it does not create school curriculums. It helps disadvantaged schools and oversees student loans.
  2. Many conservatives want to eliminate the Department of Education because they believe it promotes ideologies they oppose, especially around race and gender. This push is also linked to a broader movement against perceived government control over education.
  3. Education is seen as critical for democracy, meaning an educated public can better understand and evaluate government policies. Historical figures like Thomas Jefferson emphasized the importance of educating the masses to safeguard freedom.

The State of Student Loan Forgiveness

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 18 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Government programs Legal Challenges
  1. The Biden administration has canceled around $180 billion in student loans, shifting the financial burden to taxpayers. This means taxpayers might end up paying for loans that borrowers took on.
  2. Multiple student loan forgiveness plans are being implemented, even after some were blocked by the Supreme Court. The government is finding other ways to forgive loans through existing and new programs.
  3. Some plans, like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness, are still active and help many borrowers have their debt wiped out, raising questions about fairness and the future cost to taxpayers.

The Second Largest US Teachers Union Irreparably Harmed US Children

Who is Robert Malone • 14 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Public Health Labor Unions Child development Political Influence
  1. School closures during the pandemic harmed students' academic performance significantly. Many students fell behind in learning, especially low-income and minority children.
  2. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) influenced policies that contributed to negative mental health effects in students. Isolated from peers, many kids faced increased anxiety and depression.
  3. Prolonged school closures also worsened children's physical health. With less access to nutritious meals and physical activities, rates of obesity and related health issues increased.

The Having of Wonderful Ideas

Worcester Sucks and I Love It • 117 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Community Engagement Funding
  1. The proposed charter school by Old Sturbridge Village in Worcester is facing pushback due to concerns about how it will harm the public schools and students.
  2. The charter proposal lacks coherence and capacity, with doubts about its ability to deliver on its educational promises, especially for diverse learners.
  3. Approval of the charter would divert significant funds from the District and undermine the gains made by the Student Opportunity Act.

Help save a life! Is there a US board certified immunologist willing to write a vaccine exemption for a vaccine-injured child?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Education & Policy Child Health
  1. Private schools in Texas require all kids to be fully vaccinated, which some argue shows a lack of confidence in vaccine effectiveness.
  2. There are challenges in obtaining vaccine exemptions, especially for those with vaccine injuries, as schools typically want exemptions signed by a specific type of physician.
  3. Texas law allows private schools to set their own vaccination rules, so it’s important for parents to check these policies at each school.

Steering Towards a Low Heat Economy

Anima Mundi • 20 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Efficiency Circular Economy Education & Policy
  1. Steering towards a Low Heat Economy involves understanding the impact of heat emissions from industries and cities on the environment.
  2. To build a Low Heat Economy, we need to focus on using alternative energy sources like solar and wind power to reduce heat emissions.
  3. Adopting circular economy principles and sustainable practices in agriculture are essential steps towards achieving a Low Heat Economy.