Friday News Roundup

It’s Friday. Time for the News Roundup.

Jeb Bush: This Election, Families Made Their Voices Heard on School Choice (The 74)

This week, Jeb Bush wrote an opinion piece for The 74 discussing how our recent election contained a clear message that American families want more school choice moving forward. Here are a few excerpts from Governor Bush’s article:

“If this year’s election taught political observers anything, it’s that you can’t tell people they’re getting something good when they believe they’re not.”

“You can’t tell them the economy is great when they’re paying $4 for a dozen eggs.”

“You can’t tell them the job market is strong when they can’t find work.”

“And you can’t tell them their assigned public schools are delivering for their kids when they can plainly see outcomes that don’t align with those promises.”

“For years, families have been told that the one-size-fits-all public education system would prepare their children for the future. But more and more parents, particularly in historically underserved communities, are demanding options. They’re recognizing that choice empowers them to find the right educational fit for their child – a fit that meets individual needs, talents and goals and that’s responsive to their cultural values and expectations.”

…

“Policymakers should take the lessons from this election and recognize that families are sending a clear message: They want the freedom to choose an education that works for their child.”

“For those who continue to stand against school choice, it’s time to listen. Families have rejected one-size-fits-all solutions, and they don’t want you to tell them what you think is best for them. They want the opportunity to find the right educational path for their kids, and it’s up to policymakers to continue to break down barriers that stand in their way.”

If Bush and others like him could only expand their thinking around “learner choice” and not necessarily “school choice,” to be ready to support individual “learner choice” that means in-school and out-of-school learning, then the nation would be in a better position to make all of its young learners smarter and stronger.

Pride or Prejudice? Iowa School District Resists Changing Mascot, Name Considered a Slur (Des Moines Register)

The Des Moines Register reported this week that,

“For nearly a century, the Midget mascot and team name have been a source of pride for the Estherville school district.”

“But for people with dwarfism, it’s an offensive term that has no place in the modern vocabulary. So when the three members of the Mascots Matter Campaign wrote the Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District, asking school officials to drop the mascot of a tiny man wearing a singlet, the hoped for a receptive response.”

“Instead, they got the brush off.”

And this response for then superintendent Tara Paul:

“’For our students and community, there is a real sense of pride behind the Mighty Midgets because of what we believe a mascot represents,’ Paul wrote. ‘It is a rally cry and what we as a school system and community get behind. We would not have a mascot that would demean our students and community, of which we do have a contingency of little people.”

Although Estherville is not planning to change its mascot, the school board has agreed to additional conversation with the Mascots Matter Campaign.

State Board of Education Signals Support for Bible-Infused Curriculum (The Texas Tribune)

The Texas Tribune reported this week that,

“A majority of the Texas State Board of Education signaled their support Tuesday for a state-authored curriculum under intense scrutiny in recent months for its heavy inclusion of biblical teachings.”

…

“’In my view, these stories are on the education side and are establishing cultural history,’ Houston Republican [and State Board of Education member] Will Hickman said. ‘And there’s religious concepts like the Good Samaritan and the Golden Rule and Moses that all students should be exposed to.’”

It seems like the story of the Good Samaritan and the lesson of the Golden Rule is innocent enough, although I have no idea what course these two lessons would fit in.

But Moses? Moses? That seems like a bit of a stretch, whether you believe in separation of church and state or not.

Trump’s Education Secretary Pick Is Linda McMahon, Former WWE CEO (EducationWeek)

Let’s get ready to rum-bullllllllll!

“Linda McMahon, the co-chair of President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team who spent much of her career as a pro-wrestling executive, is the incoming president’s choice to serve as secretary of education, the transition team announced Tuesday.”

What’s next? Hulk Hogan for Undersecretary for K-12 Learning? Randy “Macho Man” Savage for Undersecretary for Federal Student Aid? Andre the Giant to head up the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education?

Seriously, compared to some of Trump’s other cabinet appointments, Linda McMahon doesn’t seem as bad. Besides, McMahon once thought she had an education degree (she doesn’t), so I guess as long as she thinks she is a public school educator, is should be okay. Right?

Iowa Schools Report Receiving More Than 200 Threats Since the Start of the School Year (Des Moines Register)

According to the Des Moines Register this week,

“Iowa schools have reported more than 200 threats since the start of the school year in August in the wake of mass shootings across the U.S.”

200 threats in three months? That’s a lot.

Maybe it’s time to think about a different, safer model to protect our kids, and at the same time make them smarter and stronger with their reading, writing, problem-solving, and character development skills?

Seems like a different model for learning is required moving forward.

That’s it for The Roundup. Have a great weekend, Til Monday. SVB