Decolonizing the curriculum, confronting white nationalism and combatting period poverty
Decolonizing the curriculum, confronting white nationalism and combatting period poverty
At its yearly convention, the National Education Association advanced its political agenda, while doing nothing to address America’s failing public schools. “When school children start paying union dues, that’s when I’ll start representing the interests of school children,” a quote attributed to teacher union godfather Albert Shanker, has become lore. While it is doubtful he...
By Larry Sand
Major education realignment in the works?
Major education realignment in the works?
Schools are out for summer, and the fall holds many questions for education in America. According to data released by Education Week, America’s government-run schools lost almost 1.3 million students this year. (Delaware, Illinois, and North Carolina didn’t supply enrollment statistics, so the true number is probably somewhat higher.) The downtick was due to the...
By Larry Sand
Canceling Critical Race Theory
Canceling Critical Race Theory
As states pass laws disallowing the teaching of the bogus and downright harmful Critical Race Theory, its proponents erroneously claim they are being censored. Just four weeks ago, I wrote about the beginnings of a resistance to the teaching of Critical Race Theory, which is Marxist in nature, and asserts that the U.S. is systemically...
By Larry Sand
LAUSD schools to open amid much controversy
LAUSD schools to open amid much controversy
After failing its students miserably and beset with litigation, the misbegotten Los Angeles school district is now being accused of systemic racism. With Los Angeles school superintendent Austin Beutner getting ready for his June 30th retirement, and the realization that schools must open full time or lose substantial state funding, the L.A. school board and...
By Larry Sand
UTLA representatives endorse BDS movement
UTLA representatives endorse BDS movement
L.A. teachers union joins their brethren in S.F. to denounce Israel. As I mentioned in last week’s post, the United Educators of San Francisco declared its solidarity with the Palestinian people by supporting the Boycotts, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel. The union also called for President Biden to stop aid to Israel, but after...
By Larry Sand
Sad Francisco
Sad Francisco
The charming city by the Bay has some serious edu-warts that need to be excised. San Francisco is a magical city. My first visit there was in 1969 as a New York city college kid on winter break, and I was enthralled. I was there again in 1996 on my honeymoon, and several times since,...
By Larry Sand
CRT: Critical Race Theory or Crazy Radical Tantrums?
CRT: Critical Race Theory or Crazy Radical Tantrums?
Whatever you call it, there’s a culture war being waged, and the citizenry is fighting back. Just four weeks ago, I wrote about the rising resistance to the woke craze and Critical Race Theory, and much has transpired since then. Here in California, even Disneyland has not been spared the wrath of the crazies. On...
By Larry Sand
Oy vey, Randi!
Oy vey, Randi!
Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a series of missives to Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. The first six can be accessed here. Oy vey, old friend! As you well know, I have written several heartfelt emails to you over the years, pointing out my concern over many of the...
By Larry Sand
Science with the union label
Science with the union label
Despite the reopening happy talk, more than half of all California’s k-12 students remain in distance learning. While schools in California have reopened, a study by EdSource reveals that 55 percent of all public school students in California have not returned to their physical classroom. And just 13 percent of all students in the Golden...
By Larry Sand
The immense education “investment” fraud
The immense education “investment” fraud
Unprecedented federal spending on education is a swindle of epic proportions. As reported by the estimable Just Facts, federal, state, and local governments in the U.S. spent $1.02 trillion on education in 2019. This breaks down to $7,945 for every household in the country. It’s worth noting that these figures do not include land that...
By Larry Sand
Awakening to woke
Awakening to woke
The mainstreaming of Marxism is meeting resistance from anti-woke warriors, but more people must lose their fear and fight back. Here in California, the woke train rolls merrily along. If AB 101 passes in its current version, a one-semester high school course in ethnic studies will be mandated starting in the 2029–2030 school year. Each...
By Larry Sand
Los Angeles Schools Kowtow to Union Demands
Los Angeles Schools Kowtow to Union Demands
Children in L.A. are suffering at the hands of the school district and its “labor partner.” Public schools are finally opening in Los Angeles, but education will be unlike anything the kids have ever seen. Elementary students will attend school just half the time – groups of students will have in-person instruction either in the...
By Larry Sand
Child Abuse in Plain Sight
Child Abuse in Plain Sight
Forcing Critical Race Theory on children is psychologically damaging. I come from a time when schools existed to teach the ABCs, basic math and the amazing story of the American founding. While it’s true that Horace Mann, the man who first promoted universal public education, was a central planner, government schools usually turned out educated...
By Larry Sand
Educational Freedom Is on the Move
Educational Freedom Is on the Move
School choice is rapidly advancing across the U.S. On March 9th, I wrote that Covid-related lockdowns were leading many states to implement or advance already existing school choice measures. Just four weeks later, it is happening at breakneck speed. Legislators and parents have become fed up, and are doing what they can to regain control...
By Larry Sand