BOSTON — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a group of Massachusetts parents who argued that their children were negatively affected by three reading programs, including Units of Study and Fountas and Pinnell, developed by three well-known literacy experts. The suit, filed by Boston-area mothers Karrie Conley and Michele Hudak on behalf […]
Dystopian Teacher Tales: The La Jollan Educational Missionary Society
Last week, the US Supreme Court was deadlocked 4-4 on a ruling that would have allowed a Catholic charter school in Oklahoma to receive public funding. In the decision, Amy Coney-Barrett recused herself. Although this decision at first might seem like a victory for public and secular schools, it may just lead to some dystopian […]
The Daily Digest: May 29, 2025
The Daily Dispatch is our quick bites of real talk in education, every weekday. We publish every morning at 5:00 a.m., just in time for your daily coffee. Federal NewsSupreme Court declines case about T-shirt declaring ‘only two genders’(Justin Jouvenal, The Washington Post) Supreme Court’s Free Speech v. Paxton Decision Could Protect Kids Online (Clare Morell, Newsweek) […]
Instructional Coaching: Job-Embedded professional learning and compensation
If you’ve been in education longer than a decade, you likely experienced (or heard legends of) the teacher compensation model that encouraged continuous learning at post-secondary institutions. This paralleled state licensing that required graduate credits as part of the license renewal process. The “steps and lanes” approach provided teachers with periodic raises based on years […]
How I am Teaching My Elementary School Students About AI and Why You Should Too
As a classroom teacher, I have seen firsthand how AI can spark student curiosity. Students are hearing about AI and are excited about the future of technology. But with that flame of curiosity comes a spark of concern. “How can I tell if an image is AI?” “Why do I need to learn how to […]
Bearly Hanging On: My Final Week as Principal
This column is a series of fiction stories inspired by reality. We publish short stories written by teachers each week. This week, a principal recounts her last week before summer break. If anyone ever tells you elementary principals, have it easy in May, they’ve never tried to corral 600 sugar-charged children through Field Day, an […]
Judge blocks Trump’s attempt to dismantle Department of Education
In a significant legal setback for the Trump administration, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun issued a preliminary injunction on Thursday halting efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. The judge’s decision also mandates reinstating over 1,300 employees terminated as part of a mass layoff on March 11. Judge Myong issued an injunction blocking the […]
Dr. Jennifer Pratt: A legacy of learning, leading, and lasting impact
Dr. Jennifer Pratt’s journey in education is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and purpose. From the very beginning, her love for learning and her desire to help others have been the driving forces behind a career marked by innovation, inclusivity, and impact. “A love for learning and helping others sparked my journey […]
