Parents crusade against children being exposed to screens in school, questioning the use of AI and social media. Here’s a problem. Many states have mandated the Science of Reading for young children in the name of scientific evidence; they and local school districts have invested millions in programs that often involve heavy screen use. The […]
The New York Times Mistaken Ideas About NCLB!
Recent reports lamenting poor test scores seem to suggest returning to the good old days of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The New York Times recently led the way, reporting, Why U.S. Test Scores Are in a ‘Generation-Long Decline.’ Bring NCLB back? When did it leave? Isn’t it a big part of why public schools […]
Recess: Still Denied!
I recently had to double-check the report’s date. American schools have been quietly killing recess to focus on test scores—and pediatricians are warning it’s a mistake, by Laura Ungar, which began in the late 1980s. But there it was, 2026. Children are still not getting the academic breaks they need to be healthy. Weren’t the […]
The Science of POOR Kindergarten Reading Instruction
The push to have kindergarteners read through standardized drilling of sounds is one of the main reasons I distrust the Science of Reading (SoR). It’s hard to disregard how children develop, their age, and any disabilities they may have. It seems like poor reading instruction. The74 recently gave a good example, even though they likely […]
Three Overlooked Reasons Why Children Struggle with Reading
Three overlooked reasons for children’s struggles to read and low test scores include: Unreasonable Expectations, Disabilities and Inclusion, and Fast-Tracking Teachers. Unreasonable Expectations Kindergarten has changed over the years. Instead of a half day, it’s a full day. Pressure to read has increased. Some children might show up reading, but it doesn’t mean that all […]
The Elimination of the Professional Status of America’s Helpers!
On this Thanksgiving, please remember the professionals who lift us throughout our lives. The helpers in the caring professions, nurses, teachers, counselors, speech-language pathologists, and many others (see below), irreplaceable by AI, find themselves in danger of losing their professional status. Donald Trump talks about bringing in foreign workers, while his administration is slighting those who […]
Remembering Why There’s a Special Education Law
Donald Trump is destroying programs that help Democratic and Republican kids, including special education. He seems not to understand why laws exist to protect students. Linda McMahon is eliminating the U.S. ED, without Congressional approval, which oversees critical federal laws for public schools, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). She fired the special education […]
Forgotten Mercy: Those Who Want Christianity in Public Schools
God is love. ~1 John 4:8. Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me. ~Matthew 25:40 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. […]
Linda McMahon’s Reckless and Scary Disregard for Special Education History
Linda McMahon appears unaware of the past progress made in serving students with disabilities in public schools. Nor does she understand the complexities surrounding student needs and the long-time underfunding of education services, or what improvements would make school better. She’s sliding America backwards, with devastating repercussions for children with special needs and all students. […]
Ending High Truancy Rates: How to Get Students to School
School starts for students whose families rely on public education, which the Trump administration is trying to end. For years, however, school reforms have made schools less personable; as a result, school attendance has decreased, especially since the pandemic. Why do kids reject school? Bullying, harassment, family problems, parental work schedules, mental health, illnesses, transportation, […]