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Genghis Khan was a nice guy. Israel is evil. SF parents push back on 'ethnic studies' mandate
San Francisco parents are resisting a year-long ethnic studies classes that focuses on left-wing politics.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 3, 20253 min read


Open the door to new worlds: Poor kids have a right to Shakespeare, Bach, Plato
To offer a demanding, powerful curriculum to every child is not elitist. It is egalitarian.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 2, 20251 min read


Suspension rates vary: Is it racism, poverty or ... ?
Black students are suspended more than whites, but the disparities seem linked to behavior and family poverty rather than racism.

Joanne Jacobs
May 20, 20252 min read


Surprise! It's not OK to punch the teacher or threaten to blow up the school
Attacking a school staffer or making a bomb threat will no longer be treated as a minor offense in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Joanne Jacobs
May 19, 20252 min read


EdChoice vouchers boost college-going and degrees -- but not test scores
Ohio's EdChoice vouchers are under legal attack: A new study says they help disadvantaged students.

Joanne Jacobs
May 9, 20252 min read


Zuckerbergs give up on holistic, trauma-informed, culturally responsive schools
What if a school provided help with parenting, health and wellness and social services? A Zuckerberg-funded experiment is closing, an apparent failure.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 26, 20252 min read


'Disparate impact' is out: Base discipline on behavior, not race, says Trump order
Schools should discipline students who misbehave without regard to their race, says Trump's new executive order.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 25, 20252 min read


Colleges can admit 'diverse' students without racial preferences
Universities can enhance diversity by giving an admissions break to disadvantaged students of all races. It's legal and it's good politics.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 2, 20252 min read


DEI double take
Columbia researchers say they're losing federal grants for DEI language that they were required to add by the Biden administration.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 23, 20252 min read


Is ethnic studies kaput in California?
Mandatory ethnic studies classes are under fire in California.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 22, 20253 min read


If the scores are bad, should we dump the test?
A majority of black, Hispanic and low-income fourth-graders have "below basic" reading skills. Does it matter?

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 11, 20253 min read


Mississippi vs. Masssachusetts: Which state has the best schools?
When states are judged by how well students overcome disadvantages, Mississippi is a winner and high-scoring Massachusetts is mediocre.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 16, 20241 min read


'Diverse' college graduates are less likely to become teachers
Black and brown college graduates are less likely to choose a teaching career and more likely to leave the classroom for other jobs,...

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 13, 20242 min read


'Multilevel classes' aren't equitable or excellent, say teachers
Mixing high-achieving, average and low-achieving students in the same class was a noble experiment, writes Ryan Normandin, a high school...

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 11, 20242 min read


It's time for separation of race and state: No more little boxes
The Census doesn't ask people about their religion. Why not stop putting Americans in pseudo-racial boxes? , asks Michael Lind. The...

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 8, 20241 min read


'Woke' (or wokeish) courses are cut from core list at Florida universities
Courses that teach identity politics or systemic racism will be electives -- not core courses -- at Florida's state universities.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 4, 20241 min read


College presidents, it's going to be a bumpy ride
Trump is likely to go after elite colleges and favor vocational education.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 12, 20241 min read


Disadvantaged? Really???
Vice President Kamala Harris, the daughter of two university professors, was admitted to Hastings law school via a program for applicants...

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 24, 20242 min read


DEI at U of Michigan: 'rote incantations of a state religion'
University of Michigan's DEI program has created a "culture of grievance," not inclusion, say students and professors.

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 17, 20242 min read


MIT's new class is 47% Asian as black, Hispanic admissions fall
MIT ended racial preferences and admitted more Asians, slightly fewer whites and significantly fewer Hispanics and blacks.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 23, 20242 min read
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