Really beginning to think that Chait, Applebaum et al are unaware that the GOP in state after state is enacting bans on any speech that causes *discomfort* ICYMI the latest of these was rolled out by the Michigan GOP this week michiganadvance.com/2021/09/21/dem…

This from @MaggieSeverns really captures why the backlash against critical race theory 1) isn't just about critical race theory 2) why it's so politically potent and 3) how Dems are missing the boat. Again politico.com/news/2021/07/2… One thing that pops up again and again in local stories but doesn't get enough attention is the generational split that's driving critical race theory furor. A lot of the equity plans parents are now fighting are a response to student demands.

We did a great episode of @HaveYouHeardPod on the K-12 culture wars. And one thing that really comes through that I'm not hearing anywhere else is how much of this story is about the waning of the No Child Left Behind era. soundcloud.com/haveyouheardpo… @HaveYouHeardPod My thinking on this has been informed by the brilliant @DMenefeeLibey who talks about a bipartisan *treaty* on education. That's what NCLB was and it covered over deep disagreements about what schools are for, what they should teach etc. And now that treaty has fallen apart.

My absolute fave side project is the newsletter I do for my dad about intergenerational communities sprouting up around the country. Concept is that seniors help raise & nurture kids and adults who need extra support. It's brilliant... 1/ Shouting out to a few of these so you can learn more and drop by for a visit. Treehouse in Easthampton MA has created an intergenerational community to support foster kids. You should see their academic outcomes! treehousefoundation.net 2/

This Texas *divisive concepts* bill, passed by the Senate in the dead of night, is the broadest/vaguest I've seen so far. And that's the point - to instill fear in teachers about what they can talk abut huffpost.com/entry/texas-re… If you're trying to make sense of what *divisive concepts* are and how teachers/students will be affected, highly recommend the latest @HaveYouHeardPod featuring voices of teachers on the frontlines of the K-12 culture wars soundcloud.com/haveyouheardpo…

I had the honor yesterday of hearing from 15 Boston students attending 6 city schools about what they've lost during the past year & how adults can help them recover. Takeaway: their view of the pandemic & remote learning is far more complex than what's reflected in the news /1 For starters, they take the pandemic EXTREMELY seriously because they've lost loved ones & their communities have been the hardest hit. So they're not buying the argument that this thing is over /2