16:1 - Education, Teaching, & Learning

• Bloomberg Philanthropies has announced a $1 billion donation to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. This generous gift aims to cover tuition for a majority of students, addressing the financial barriers to medical education.
• Dr. Elena Aydarova's recent work critiques Science of Reading reforms, arguing they often disguise motives of standardization, centralization, and privatization. Her analysis, based on advocacy efforts in Tennessee, reveals how these policies may perpetuate inequalities. The discussion highlights the tension between evidence-based teaching methods and the political agendas that influence educational policy. [Bonus content: A brief back and forth with Alfie Kohn, author of Punished by Rewards and many other titles!]

Textbooks are essential educational resources used to align with standards, provide structured learning, and support lesson planning. The process of creating a textbook begins with identifying a market for the resource and often involves multiple authors or contributors and extensive review. Major publishers such as Pearson and McGraw-Hill dominate the market. Marketing efforts include social media promotion, trade shows, and direct outreach to schools and (increasingly) students. The textbook adoption process for many schools involves evaluation by educators and curriculum coordinators to ensure curricular alignment and often incorporates review committees and pilot testing. Digital versions and supplementary resources such as video, audio, and online coursework are now standard as publishers scramble to appeal to tech-friendly classrooms.

Textbooks face criticism for being outdated, expensive, and potentially biased. They have the potential to promote standardization and test preparation over deep learning and critical thinking. Despite these issues, replacing textbooks is challenging due to the extensive effort required to update associated teaching materials, leading to prolonged use of flawed resources.

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using textbooks versus original sources?

2. What does it mean to treat a textbook as an authoritative source of information? Are we equipping students to interrogate these educational materials and approach them with a critical lens?

3. Do textbooks contribute to over-standardization in education?

Bloomberg Philanthropies Makes Medical School Free at Johns Hopkins Medical School

The Science of Reading (16:1)

Bloomberg's donation to Johns Hopkins gives medical students free tuition

What You See Is Not What You Get: Science of Reading Reforms As a Guise for Standardization, Centralization, and Privatization

How a textbook is made - Oxford University Press

The Schools Our Children Deserve - (Book) - Alfie Kohn

Cengage and McGraw-Hill Terminate Merger Agreement

Textbook publishers explore direct-to-student marketing and sales

About NCPC - National Capital Planning Commission

Paris Olympics by the numbers: Participating country stats and facts

• Book bannings and classroom content updates from around the U.S.:
  • From the Guardian: In Florida, a children's book titled "Ban This Book" by Alan Gratz, which ironically addresses the issue of book banning, was itself banned by the Indian River county school board.
  • From the AP: In Oklahoma, the state Supreme Court ruled unanimously that local school boards, not the state Board of Education, have the authority to decide which books are available in public school libraries. This decision overturned attempts by the state Board of Education to remove certain books from Edmond Public Schools' library.
  • Oklahoma public schools are now required to keep and teach from a copy of the Bible in every classroom in grades 5-12. Teachers are being encouraged to provide Biblical instruction due to the book’s “substantial influence on our nation’s founders and the foundational principles of our Constitution.” Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters stated that teachers in non-compliance could lose their licenses. In related news, Louisiana also became the first state to require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom.
  • The American Library Association reports “the number of titles targeted for censorship surged 65% in 2023 compared to 2022.
• We recently hosted a discussion on legacy admissions and “side door,” donation-motivated college admissions when we discussed the Varsity Blues scandal on this podcast; now, a bill passed by the California state Assembly may bring financial penalties to private higher education institutions for giving admissions preference to children of alumni and donors.
• The University of Colorado Boulder is retiring remote exam proctoring and monitoring technology Proctorio, citing low usage after a return to in-person instruction post COVID-19 pandemic. CU Boulder is not the first university to experience student pushback (hear our discussion of the statement on Proctorio issued by the Union of Students in Ireland in episode 102).

In this episode, we investigate the life and work of B.F. Skinner, the pioneering psychologist who transformed our understanding of behaviorism and left deep marks on classrooms, schools, and methods of instruction. Discover how Skinner’s theories on behavior modification, reinforcement, and punishment continue to influence modern education and classroom management.

Highlights:

• Early Life and Influences: Learn about Skinner's journey from aspiring writer to groundbreaking psychologist, influenced by the works of Ivan Pavlov and John B. Watson.
• Operant Conditioning: Understand the principles of operant conditioning and how Skinner's research with rats and pigeons laid the foundation for behaviorist approaches in education.
• The Skinner Box and Other Oddities and Experiments: Explore the development of the operant conditioning chamber, famously known as the "Skinner Box," and its role in studying animal behavior. Be sure to stick around for a discussion of… (checks notes…) war pigeons?
• Educational Impact: Join a discussion of how Skinner's theories have shaped modern educational practices, including the use of positive and negative reinforcement, token economies, and programmed instruction.
• Controversies and Criticisms: Delve into the ethical debates surrounding behaviorist techniques and their application in both educational and social contexts.
• Legacy in Education: Katie and Chelsea Reflect on Skinner's lasting impact on educational technology and teaching methodologies.

Discussion Questions:

• Has Skinner’s focus on observable and measurable behaviors had an overall positive or negative impact on formal educational systems?
• How much behavior modification is too much when it comes to classroom instruction, and what are the ethical implications of applying behaviorist principles in schools?
• With new research questioning the efficacy of extrinsic rewards, how do we reconcile Skinnerian approaches to motivation in modern education?

Book about book bans banned by Florida school board | Books | The Guardian

Oklahoma Supreme Court rejects state education board's authority over public school libraries | AP News

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/louisiana-to-become-first-state-to-require-that-the-ten-commandments-be-displayed-in-every-public-school-classroom

Watch out Stanford. California is eyeing a new legacy admission ban | Politico

California May Ban Legacy Admissions at Universities - The New York Times

A New National Student Organization Is Taking Aim At Legacy Admissions

Proctorio | Office of Information Technology

Students Are Pushing Back Against Proctoring Surveillance Apps | Electronic Frontier Foundation

Biographical Information – B. F. Skinner Foundation

Project Pigeon - Wikipedia

B.F. Skinner’s Pigeon-Guided Rocket | Smithsonian

Understanding Behavioral Psychology: the Skinner Box

Behaviourism | Classical & Operant Conditioning, Reinforcement & Shaping | Britannica

Behaviorism In Psychology

THE IMPLICATION OF THE LEARNING THEORIES ON IMPLEMENTING E-LEARNING COURSES

What Kind of Dog Was Pavlov’s Dog? | Smithsonian

Pavlov, Watson, Skinner, And Behaviorism | Kate Votaw

B.F. Skinner Raised His Daughter in a Skinner Box? | Snopes.com

Mystery solved: We now know what happened to Little Albert

Operant Conditioning: What Is It and How It Works

Reinforcement and Punishment – General Psychology

Behaviorism in Education: What Is Behavioral Learning Theory?

Skinner’s Behaviourism - New Learning Online

Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters orders schools to teach the Bible

Oklahoma schools head Ryan Walters: Teachers who won't teach Bible could lose license

Skinner’s Reinforcement Theory in the Classroom | Teaching Channel

Why B.F. Skinner May Have Been The Most Dangerous Psychologist Ever

The Engineered Student: On B. F. Skinner’s Teaching Machine | The MIT Press Reader

The hosts are on summer break, which means the return of an annual tradition: the 16:1 year in review, where Katie and Chelsea kick back and share about their year of learning. Education news headlines will return next episode.

Reported birth of rare white buffalo calf in Yellowstone park fulfills Lakota prophecy | AP News

Bison Bellows: The birth of a white buffalo calf (U.S. National Park Service)

ChatGPT is bullshit | Ethics and Information Technology

Forbes letter threatens legal action against Perplexity AI over copyright

The AI industry is pushing a nuclear power revival — partly to fuel itself

Horrifying video of invisible fire during Indy 500 race has people questioning how it's even possible

American Library Association

Education - Suffs The Musical

• Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has leveled criticism at the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision just days after the 70th anniversary of the ruling. In his concurring opinion on a decision allowing South Carolina to keep using a congressional map that critics say discriminated against Black voters, Thomas this month argued that the Brown decision took a "boundless view of equitable remedies" and involved "extravagant uses of judicial power" to end racial segregation in schools.
• The Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) announced its closure, attributing the decision partly to financial difficulties exacerbated by ongoing issues with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) system. Concurrently, the U.S. Department of Education has pledged a comprehensive review of its financial aid office and the FAFSA process in response to widespread problems impacting students and institutions nationwide.
• A follow-up to a headline we first shared in February of this year: Harvard University’s “Institutional Voice” working group has concluded its work and recommended that Harvard leaders not “issue official statements about public matters that do not directly affect the university’s core function.”

This week, 16:1 explores the origins of “The Magic School Bus,” the beloved children’s television series designed to engage young learners with scientific topics and other curious learning adventures.  The franchise, which started as a children's book series written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen in 1986, emerged from Scholastic Co.’s vision of blending science with fiction. The franchise sold 93 million book copies worldwide, captivating young minds and paving the way for its evolution into a popular TV show.

From 1994 to 1997, "The Magic School Bus" brought science to life on PBS, with Ms. Frizzle, voiced by Lily Tomlin, leading her fourth-grade class on magical field trips. Each adventure, from exploring the solar system to journeying inside the human body, made complex scientific concepts accessible and fun for young learners. Today, the series continues to inspire through its presence on Netflix and has recently gotten a reboot, "The Magic School Bus Rides Again."

We discuss the show's pedagogical approach, its effective use of repetition to reinforce concepts, and its clever handling of creative liberties with science. We also share behind-the-scenes stories and insights into the animation and voice acting process, revealing the dedication to making the show both scientifically accurate and entertaining. Tune in to hear our personal reflections on favorite episodes and how "The Magic School Bus" has shaped our understanding of science.

Clarence Thomas attacks Brown v. Board ruling amid 70th anniversary

22-807 Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP (05/23/2024)

Misrepresenting Justice Thomas on Brown | National Review

The Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane

MLB Negro League stats leaderboard changes record book

Remembering 'Magic School Bus' Creator Joanna Cole : NPR

Ms. Frizzle creator leaves behind a legacy of learning | Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College

This School Year, Unleash Your Inner Ms. Frizzle - The New York Times

Kate McKinnon Shines as the New Ms. Frizzle on Netflix's 'The Magic School Bus' Reboot — Watch the Trailer

The Magic School Bus (TV series) - Wikipedia

The Magic School Bus "Behind the Scenes" (1996)

The Magic School Bus on Vimeo

The Magic School Bus Explores the Solar System : Microsoft : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming

The Magic School Bus Rides Again - Wikipedia

List of The Magic School Bus episodes - Wikipedia

• Over the past few weeks, there have been significant developments at the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio). On May 15, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost initiated an investigation into the allegations of a hostile takeover attempt of the $90 billion pension fund, which serves thousands of educators, by QED Systematic Solutions.
• Academic publishing is facing a crisis of credibility as journals close and thousands of retractions are issued in the wake of a glut of fake research papers. A study by Nature found that in 2013 there were just over 1,000 retractions compared to 2022 with 4,000 and then jumping to more than 10k in 2023. More than 8k of the retractions came from an Egyptian company called Hindawi, which is a subsidiary of Wiley; the Hindawi brand will be sunsetted and its properties absorbed into Wiley. Wiley has announced they will close 19 journals because of the rise of fake papers.
• A report by Spectrum News from May 14th alleges that millions of dollars in Texas taxpayer funds intended for a charter school in Odessa were diverted to support struggling Third Future charter schools network in Colorado, of which Houston Independent School District superintendent Mike Miles is founder and with whom he has recently maintained a consulting relationship.

This episode explores the history and impact of high-stakes standardized testing in the U.S., starting with a brief review of the No Child Left Behind Act and its legacy. Discussions include the educational goals of high-stakes tests (such as accountability and standardization), and the reasons why these tests often fall short of bettering educational outcomes for students, including curriculum narrowing and stress on students and teachers. We also delve into recent research, including a 2024 study by Maroun and Tienken, which highlights the significant influence of socioeconomic factors on test performance.

Discussion Questions

• What are the consequences of "teaching to the test"?
• Why does the high-stakes testing system persist despite its criticisms?
• Can we design a system with standardized tests but without high-stakes consequences? What might this look like?
• What would it take to move school administrators and policy makers toward the idea that standardized tests should inform academic strategies instead of penalties or other punitive measures?
• How do we develop a system to hold educators accountable for serving students well that recognizes that a student’s academic or standardized test performance is not always the best indicator of that student’s learning? Would peer/student reviews play a part in this system?

Sources & Resources:

Ohio AG investigating alleged 'hostile takeover' inside teacher's pension fund

March Board News | STRS Ohio

April Board News | STRS Ohio

February Board News | STRS Ohio Employer

Answering viewer questions about Ohio's retired teachers' pension fund chaos

Houston teachers union calls for Mike Miles' resignation after explosive report

HISD students plan walkout as investigation launches into state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles

HISD's Mike Miles responds to 'spurious' investigation into charter school network

HISD superintendent Mike Miles accused of mishandling state education funds | CW39 Houston

Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles responds to allegations he diverted Texas school funds to his Colorado schools

Report about charter schools founded by Houston ISD superintendent Mike Miles prompts calls for investigation

HISD Superintendent Mike Miles responds to report he funneled TX taxpayer money to Colorado | TEA commissioner, Third Future Schools also respond

Disappearing Dollars: Texas public schools missing millions

Flood of Fake Science Forces Multiple Journal Closures - WSJ

Wiley shuts 19 scholarly journals amid AI paper mill problem • The Register

Wiley to shutter 19 journals

Evolving our portfolio in response to integrity challenges | Hindawi

‘The situation has become appalling’: fake scientific papers push research credibility to crisis point

Surge In Academic Retractions Should Put U.S. Scholars On Notice

Science’s fake-paper problem: high-profile effort will tackle paper mills

The Pernicious Predictability of State-Mandated Tests of Academic Achievement in the United States

Standardized Testing is Still Failing Students | NEA

Research Shows What State Standardized Tests Actually Measure

History of Standardized Tests - ProCon.org

18 years ago, Mike Pence voted against No Child Left Behind. So did Bernie Sanders. Their reasons weren’t the same. - The Washington Post

Episode 51 - Left Behind - 16:1 - An Education Podcast

Obama Calls for Major Change in Education Law - The New York Times

History of Standardized Testing in the United States | NEA

Pearson, ETS, Houghton Mifflin, and McGraw-Hill Lobby Big and Profit Bigger from School Tests | PR Watch

History of Memorial Day | National Memorial Day Concert | PBS

• In Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee signed a controversial law that would allow some teachers and staff to carry concealed handguns on school grounds. The legislation has sparked significant debate and criticism, particularly from educational and activist groups who argue it could increase risks rather than improve safety.
• Baltimore, Maryland - In January of 2024 a recording went viral of Maryland’s Pikesville High School’s Principal Eric Eiswert making racist and antisemitic comments. The recording turned out to be an AI-generated deepfake.
• This week marked the anniversary of the Kent State shootings, which occurred on May 4, 1970, when the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed college students protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State University in Ohio, killing four students and wounding nine others. This grim anniversary passes against a backdrop of renewed campus protest activity across the country, as colleges and universities have transformed into protest sites for student-led movements.

The foundations of the U.S. public education system can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution, a period that profoundly reshaped American society and the country’s economy. The Library of Congress describes this era as one that moved production from handcrafted goods to factory-based machine production, bringing about unprecedented shifts in transportation, communication, and manufacturing. This industrial transformation redefined the daily lives of Americans, creating new classes of wealthy industrialists, a burgeoning middle class, and a large blue-collar workforce composed of immigrants and rural migrants.

The rapid expansion of industries like steel manufacturing and petroleum refining, bolstered by the rise of railroads, demanded a skilled workforce. This economic evolution laid the groundwork for a public education system that mirrored the factory model: standardized, hierarchical, and focused on efficiency.

This industrial model of education, however, has started to show its limitations in the face of today's rapidly changing labor market. Automation, digital literacy, and adaptive learning are reshaping the job landscape, calling for educational approaches that foster creativity, critical thinking, and flexibility.

Discussion questions to consider:

• How does the structure of modern schooling mirror our cultural and economic priorities?
• Can public education make a realistic shift toward personalized learning models given its history of standardization?
• How has the role of the teacher evolved from the industrial age to today's information age?
• How have societal expectations of public education evolved, and what does this mean for future educational frameworks?

Sources & Resources:

Tennessee governor signs bill allowing teachers and staff to be armed on campus.

Tennessee lawmakers pass bill to allow armed teachers, a year after deadly Nashville shooting

Dazhon Darien: Ex-athletic director accused of framing principal with AI arrested at airport with gun - The Baltimore Banner

Educational Expansion in Mid-Nineteenth Century Massachusetts: Human Capital Formation or Structural Reinforcement?

Officer fired gun while clearing protesters from Columbia building, prosecutors say | AP News

The Industrial Revolution in the United States | Classroom Materials at the Library of Congress

Episode 60 - Where No Mann Has Gone Before - 16:1 - An Education Podcast

Harvard Educational Review: Educational Expansion in Mid- Nineteenth-Century Massachusetts: Human-Capital Formation or Structural Reinforcement? By Alexander James Field

• Senate Democrats, including Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden, have sent a letter to the CEO of General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) condemning the FAFSA rollout the writers describe as a "near-total failure" that has created a "crisis of credibility" for the Education Department. The FAFSA rollout has been plagued by technical difficulties, delays, and last-minute adjustments, leading to a 40% drop in FAFSA completion among high school seniors compared to the previous year.
• On April 12th, the Biden administration announced an additional $7.4 billion in student debt cancellation for 277,000 more Americans enrolled in the SAVE plan, other income-driven repayment plans, and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• It hasn’t been all that long since we covered the story that Harvard had pledged to keep its test optional admissions policy for applicants through the class of 2030; however, just last week the school announced that it will resume requiring test scores in applications for students applying to the class of 2029.
• Teacher Appreciation Week is on the horizon! It runs from May 6 to May 10, 2024. Plan ahead and find a way to acknowledge the hard work of the teachers in your life!

This week we are revisiting a familiar topic, the science of reading, a multi-faceted approach to literacy grounded in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. We examine California’s Assembly Bill 2222, a proposal aimed at overhauling reading and literacy instruction, which was stalled due to opposition from the California Teachers Association. We’ll share the latest news from the Ohio legislature, where new literacy legislation is actively impacting Katie’s classroom instructional practices.

Our discussion covers how the science of reading impacts classroom strategies and the challenges of integrating these methods into existing educational frameworks. We’ll also cover the pushback from educators and teachers unions, like those seen in California, where concerns about the rigidity of mandated reading programs clash with the need for flexible, context-sensitive educational approaches.

Sources & Resources:

Democrats demand answers from federal contractor on tumultuous FAFSA rollout | The Hill

Bipartisan frustration over bungled FAFSA rollout on full display in Washington

‘Shockingly bad’: U.S. Senate Democrats beat up on Missouri-created student loan provider

NASFAA | Cardona Faces Pointed Questions on FAFSA Rollout During House Hearing on ED’s FY 25 Budget Proposal

What's going on with student loan relief

President Joe Biden Announces $7.4 Billion in Student Debt Cancellation for 277,000 More Americans, Pursuing Every Path Available to Cancel Student Debt | The White House

Biden admin shares proposal for new student debt relief plan

Student Aid Debt Relief Announcement

Harvard and Caltech Will Require Test Scores for Admission - The New York Times

Which standardized tests does Harvard require?

Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong | Podcast

READING REFORM ACROSS AMERICA:

The Science of Reading: The Basics | National Center on Improving Literacy

The History and Future of Reading Instruction – The SchoolWorks Lab, Inc.

Professional Development in the Science of Reading | Ohio Department of Education and Workforce

Requirements Under House Bill 33 for Professional Development in the Science of Reading | Ohio Department of Education and Workforce

EdSource - CTA AB 2222 Opposition

A Full Breakdown of the Science of Reading Components | Lexia

California Teachers Union Opposes Bill Mandating 'Science of Reading' in Schools | KQED

Bill to mandate ‘science of reading’ in California classrooms dies | EdSource

Literacy Gap Map

Professional Development in the Science of Reading | Ohio Department of Education and Workforce

Bill to mandate ‘science of reading’ in California schools faces teachers union opposition | EdSource

Hooked on Phonics - Wikipedia

As states refocus reading instruction, two universities stick with a discredited idea | APM Reports

This week in the roundup of latest news and headlines impacting education:

• Ohio is set to increase the prices for teacher licensing fees in order to prevent the Ohio Board of Education from having a $3.5 million budget shortfall next year.
• In response to a growing literacy crisis, Oregon has so far distributed about $28 million in grants aimed at bolstering reading education. This initiative represents a critical effort to enhance educational outcomes and address systemic challenges in early education. According to NPR, “Surveyed schools in Oregon remain nearly two-thirds of a year behind pre-pandemic levels in reading,” and “learning loss in Oregon is roughly two to three times worse than national averages.”
• Schools across the nation are facing an alarming increase in student absences. Recent Pew Research data polled educators across the nation; 61% of high school teachers said chronic absenteeism was a problem at their schools. Researchers are pointing to a cultural shift in the wake of COVID-19 concerning our relationship to school.

This week we take a walk through the concealed corridors of privilege and power within the U.S. college admissions system. A wide-ranging scandal known as Operation Varsity Blues (unveiled in March 2019) reflects the complex, often unseen mechanisms that shape educational access and equity at some of the U.S.’s most elite colleges and universities.

Operation Varsity Blues exposed a network of wealthy parents and college coaches, who with an orchestrator named Rick Singer manipulated admissions systems to favor their children, often without the students' knowledge. Singer's scheme involved a so-called "side door" into prestigious colleges, and his activities facilitated more than $25 million in bribes. Through fabricated athletic profiles and manipulated standardized test scores, the scandal implicated celebrities, executives, and coaches. The scandal prompted a reevaluation of admissions policies and the role of standardized testing in evaluating scholastic merit.

We’ll discuss whether meritocracy has become a myth, what part test-optional policies play in admissions reform, the impact on student mental health brought by the college application rat race, and how college rankings apply pressure to the admissions process.

Thanks for listening!

Sources & Resources:

Watch Out: Tornado Alley Is Migrating Eastward | Scientific American

Iowa vs. South Carolina TV ratings: How 2024 NCAA women's championship broadcast compares to other sports

Ohio’s Board of Education expresses budget crisis following education department overhaul | 10tv.com

Ohio school board may raise teacher license fees as budget shortfall looms

Oregon schools' pandemic recovery lags behind much of the nation : NPR

Oregon Literacy Crisis: State distributes millions in grants aimed at reading education

A Crisis of School Absences - The New York Times

What's It Like To Be a Teacher in America Today? | Pew Research Center

Absent Peers, Present Challenges: The Differential Impact of In-Person and Virtual Classmate Absences on Future Attendance | Texas Tech College of Education

TV celebrities and coaches charged in college bribery scheme | AP News

Web Archive - About The Key

Do donations influence college admissions? | Higher Ed Dive

Actresses, Business Leaders and Other Wealthy Parents Charged in U.S. College Entry Fraud - The New York Times

Who’s Been Charged in the College Admissions Cheating Scandal? Here’s the Full List - The New York Times

College Admissions Scandal: Full List of People Sentenced

What Happened to the Students Caught Up in the College Admissions Scandal? - The New York Times

SAT Quiz: Can You Answer Questions From the Original Test? | TIME

MLB, players union trade blame for pitcher injuries as MLBPA condemns pitch clock, league faults velocity - CBSSports.com

This week's stories:

• The Biden-Harris Administration recently greenlit an additional $5.8 billion in student debt relief for 78,000 public service workers.
• The U.S. Education Department has announced there’s a new error wreacking havoc on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid; up to 200,000 additional applicants may be impacted.
• We talked about Houston ISD last summer when a controversial new state-appointed superintendent, Mike Miles, converted district libraries to detention centers; the district is back in the news for reversing course on a new principal evaluation system after a tense public comment meeting with the state-appointed HISD management board.

Fred Rogers, the beloved creator and host of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," was born in 1928 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Despite facing bullying and health issues in his childhood, Rogers found solace in music and puppetry.

Rogers' interest in television emerged from a desire to improve the medium's impact on society. Beginning his career at NBC, he later found his calling at WQED in Pittsburgh, where he produced and hosted children's programming. Rogers' vision of using television as a tool for education and empathy came to fruition with the creation of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." Debuting in 1968, the show became a beloved fixture in homes across America, offering a safe and nurturing space for children to learn and grow.

At the heart of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" were Rogers' core principles of kindness, understanding, and acceptance. Through gentle storytelling and engaging segments, the show addressed a wide range of topics, from emotions and relationships to complex social issues. Rogers' genuine connection with his audience and his ability to tackle difficult subjects with grace and sensitivity made the show a beacon of hope to generations of kids.

"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" left a mark on television history, winning awards and accolades over its 33-year run. Rogers' advocacy for quality children's programming and his unwavering dedication to public television's funding solidified his status as a cultural icon. Fred Rogers' legacy continues to remind us of the power of empathy, imagination, and genuine connection.

Ed Department error may delay student financial aid further

Update on 2024-25 FAFSA Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) Delivery | Knowledge Center

Biden-Harris Administration Approves Additional $5.8 Billion in Student Debt Relief for 78,000 Public Service Workers | U.S. Department of Education

HISD reverses course on principal firings after emotional community meeting

Superintendent Mike Miles reverses HISD's new policy on principal evaluations

Houston ISD reverses course on mid-year principal screenings after community calls to ‘reject this system, reject this superintendent’

Mister Rogers: 'Won't you be my neighbor?' fans can check out Fred Rogers Trail

The Behind-the-Scenes Quest to Find Mister Rogers' Signature Cardigans | Arts & Culture| Smithsonian Magazine

About Fred Rogers

Fred Rogers - Wikipedia

CNN.com - Fred and me: An appreciation - Feb. 27, 2003

41 Wonderful Facts About Mister Rogers

‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’ at 50: 5 Memorable Moments - The New York Times

Fred Rogers | Television Academy Interviews

Watch Won't You Be My Neighbor? | Netflix

Won’t you be my neighbor? | CPB

HISTORY Moment in Media: The Unexpected Power of Mr. Rogers

Celebrating Mr. Rogers at the National Archives

Misterogers - The Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Archive

Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc. - Wikipedia.

How Mister Rogers Saved the VCR | Mental Floss

(DOC) A Uses & Gratification Study of Viewers of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood | Shane Tilton - Academia.edu

Fred Rogers: a quiet psychological revolution in children’s television

Johns Hopkins Carey Business School - It's Such a Good Feeling: Alexandra Klaren examines legacy of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

Esquire (Magazine) - The Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Archive

NCAA Withheld Use of Powerful ‘March Madness’ Brand From Women’s Basketball - WSJ

Mychal Judge | Biography, September 11 Attacks, Priest, Friar, LGBTQ, & Facts | Britannica

Shannon Stapleton | 9/11

The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff

Education Headline Roundup

This week's stories:

• Liberty University, a large evangelical Christian university in Virginia, was fined a hefty $14 million by the U.S. Department of Education. The fine stemmed from the university's failure to comply with the Clery Act, a federal law regarding campus safety.
• Lawmakers in Greece’s parliament have voted effectively to end a state monopoly on university education amid protests and demonstrations in central Athens that drew 18,000+ people.
• Nebraska’s State Board of Education has voted 5-3 against a rule change process that would have enabled the defining and banning of sexually explicit books and materials from school libraries and removed a requirement for schools to purchase a minimum number of new books each academic year.

Landmark Supreme Court Cases that Changed U.S. Education: Part II

Welcome to part two of our discussion of pivotal Supreme Court cases that have shaped the landscape of student rights, privacy, religious freedom, and affirmative action in education. This week, we're covering:

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

This case significantly impacted student press freedom, allowing schools to restrict student speech in school-sponsored publications under certain conditions. We discuss the balance between student free speech and school authority. 

Safford Unified School District v. Redding (2009)

The strip search of a 13-year-old student raised questions about student privacy and the limits of school searches. We analyze the Supreme Court's decision and its impact on school policies regarding student searches.

Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue (2020)

Examining the intersection of state scholarship programs and religious freedom, we look at how this case challenged the separation of church and state and its implications for educational funding and religious schools.

Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (2022)

This case highlighted the clash between religious expression and public school policies. We discuss the implications of the Court's decision on the role of religion in public life and the rights of students and educators.

Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College (2023)

In this recent landmark case, we analyze the impact of affirmative action policies on college admissions and the Court's ruling on diversity and racial discrimination in higher education.

Join us as we contemplate each case’s significance in shaping the rights and responsibilities of students, educators, and institutions in the United States.

Questions for Reflection:

• How do these Supreme Court decisions impact the rights of students and educators in schools today?
• What are the broader implications of these rulings for education policy and practice?
• How can we ensure a balance between protecting individual rights and maintaining a safe and inclusive learning environment in schools?

Sources & Resources:

Liberty University Hit With Record Fines for Failing to Handle Complaints of Sexual Assault, Other Crimes — ProPublica

U.S. Department of Education Imposes $14 Million Fine Against Liberty University for Clery Act Violations

State Education Board rejects rule to ban sexually explicit books in all school libraries

Board of Education votes 'no' on rule impacting content in school libraries | Nebraska Public Media.

State Ed Board rejects measure defining and banning sexually explicit materials in school libraries • Nebraska Examiner

Facts and Case Summary - Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier | United States Courts

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier | Oyez

HAZELWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT, et al., Petitioners v. Cathy KUHLMEIER et al. | Supreme Court | US Law

Safford Unified School District v. Redding | Oyez

Espinoza v. Montana Dept. of Revenue | Constitution Center

Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College | Definition, Questions, Grutter v. Bollinger, Affirmative Action, & Decision | Britannica

Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard FAQ: Navigating the Evolving Implications of the Court’s Ruling - Stanford Center for Racial Justice

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