These Catholic preschools want public money with private rules. They're invoking the Free Exercise Clause to demand taxpayer dollars, while invoking the same clause to avoid the anti‑discrimination rules that public schools must comply with.
And, yes, this SCOTUS will give them what they want.
This excellent commentary by @jonsawyer.org calls attn to 2 things: (1) the inexcusable harms of conversion "therapy", and (2) SCOTUS's recent wrongheaded decision in Chiles v. Salazar.
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Equity-based succession planning can help schools that serve low-income communities reduce principal turnover and ensure the continuity of equity-based initiatives. bit.ly/3Oy1dAO
A new study explores how mobility justice-related issues create barriers to participating in school choice. bit.ly/4tQbCaj
Luddites get a bad rap, but can they teach teachers lessons about uncritically embracing AI? bit.ly/4mlzVKM
DEVELOPING: NEPC drops evidence that the ed-policy apocalypse is, in fact, pretty catchy bit.ly/3PK25CL
Researchers confirm: Oppressive mandates remain oppressive, but now you'll hum them in the shower bit.ly/3PK25CL
Side effects of NEPC's new single include foot-tapping, policy clarity, and existential dread. bit.ly/3PK25CL
Breaking news: Education policy hypocrisy found to be 100% more tolerable with piano accompaniment. bit.ly/3PK25CL
A recent study reviewed want ads for school district attorneys and found they often fell short. bit.ly/4bYby0L
New NEPC Review: Report’s findings highlight demographic imbalances and modest opinion gaps, while its Foreword draws partisan and unsupported conclusions. @drcsampson.bsky.social @jeannempowers.bsky.social bit.ly/4mbnT6F
Is Your State Shortchanging Public Schools? @schoolfinance101.bsky.social @mattdicarlo.bsky.social
@jerseyjazzman.bsky.social bit.ly/4t2t5M7
In this month's NEPC Talks Education podcast, @cmsaldana.bsky.social speaks with Ain Grooms, @jaycee43public.bsky.social, and April Peters about building and sustaining equity-centered principal pipelines. bit.ly/4dvI4tr
NEPC Fellow @drshaunharper.bsky.social argues that changes to NCAA rules have given college athletes more power to speak out against social injustices. bit.ly/4upTfdc
New NEPC Review: @brookings.edu report will help readers wrap their minds around issues concerning generative AI in education, but it provides little help in selecting and evaluating options for ensuring that AI is used to benefit rather than harm young people’s well-being. bit.ly/3Np7qyq
A Q&A with NEPC Fellow Michael Barbour, an expert in digital learning, provides perspective on what AI-enabled edtech tools can—and cannot—deliver when it comes to personalized learning. bit.ly/4swulHk
Just released: The Cycle of Disinvestment in Public Schools: How Public-School Criticism Drives Policy and Disinvestment bit.ly/4rhKWO4
unallowable pet expenses
Milton Friedman argued parents, if given govt $ to spend on education, would invest in kids' human capital. His model excluded pets.
Drawn from multiple ESA accounts, some of my favorite pet expenditures. Did you know they make wrinkle cream for bulldogs & frenchies? Or that dog DNA kits exist?
unallowable expenses arizona ESAs
I'm writing the wildest code of my life for a project on Arizona taxpayer funded ESAs (vouchers).
gen sexystuff=strpos(vendor_key, "insane words for public ed")
Purchases below are drawn from multiple ESA accounts. I'm not going to write them here bc my post will get blocked, but see ⬇️
french laundry exterior
I just found a 2024 charge for $1,348.03 to French Laundry - the 3 Michelin star restaurant in California - in Arizona ESA reimbursements.
the louvre
Arizona Education Savings Accounts, Unity Edition:
I feel like even a divided public could agree: If you have the resources to take your kids to Paris, perhaps you don't need to ask Arizona taxpayers to pay for your Louvre & Musée d’Orsay tickets?
Biobidet, purchased with ESA $$
If we say Arizona is flushing taxpayer money with its ESA program, it turns out that’s not a metaphor.
An electric bidet, purchased with ESA funds.
After spending the day in these data, I’m beyond frustrated. Public dollars meant for kids’ educations, literally down the drain.
How will we get Zazzee Extra Strength Horse Chestnut 10:1 Extract & menopause treatments like micronized Estriol for the "children"?
Your local school district won't pay for that. But Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Accounts have been.
ESA account purchases, one account
ESA Account Holder, Barista Pool Edition ($7127.09):
I can print your face on a latte, edit it on an M4 iPad Pro & fix my hair with a Dyson Airwrap. Coach ring goes w my custom linen drapery. Two in-pool chaise lounges & AirJordans for dad & kid. This family respects symmetry and espresso foam.
One huge problem here is that the child, or children who were deprived of education (because this is how the money was spent) have no legal recourse for those damages - quantifiable, life long damages due to deprivation of education. All in the name of "parent empowerment"
one ESA account holder's purchases
BF for Ms. Coach ESA:
If we’re leaving the house, we’re leaving correctly. Bright white Michael Kors backpack. Ray-Bans. Armani sweater. Commitment to white footwear is a choice. 1200 cucumber-scented baby wipes are for elite post-gym hygiene. I smell date-night seductive, Azzaro & Paco Rabanne.
ESA Account holder purchases
coach solid c bag charm
Baller ESA account: By day, I girlboss in an executive chair. By night, I’m wrapped in faux-fur blankets, mood-lit by a jellyfish lamp & hydrating from 1 of 2 Stanleys. I carry my life in a series of increasingly expensive black leather bags. With a Coach charm, obv. I own a neck air conditioner.
