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Aaron Wesolowski

@aaronweso.bsky.social
65 followers 57 following 15 posts

DC dad and supporter of public schools. Opinions are my own.

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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Last night I attended a screening of Your Attention Please at the Cleveland Park Library, a doc about how social media companies drive screen addiction in kids. It was sobering and scary, but unfortunately not very surprising. It’s worth checking out. www.yourattentionplz.com
yourattentionplz.com
Your Attention Please | Reclaiming Humanity in the Digital Age
A resilient coalition of parents, Gen Z reformers, and whistleblowers is fighting back against Big Tech's attention economy. Your Attention Please—SXSW Spotlight Documentary.
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I just sent my September campaign newsletter with some important updates and exciting news: WTU endorsement, recap of the Ward 3 EdNet candidate forum, and DCBOE mailing ballots this week! mailchi.mp/98100823a34d...
mailchi.mp
Catch Up on Aaron's September Campaign News
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been endorsed by the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU)! I look forward to working closely on the DC State Board of Education with them to make sure our educators, students, and schools have the resources and support they need to succeed! @wtuteacher.bsky.social
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
‘Getting answers from a bot can create “the illusion of learning” for students who reach for A.I. “at the first hint of struggle,” the M.I.T. committee wrote in its August report.’
nytimes.com
An M.I.T. Report Warns A.I. Is Causing ‘Cognitive Surrender.’ Universities Are in a Bind.
As A.I. upends education, university leaders have been all over the map about how to respond. It can be very confusing for students.
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
‘Therein lies the catch in “school choice” for children like Amelia. Unlike public schools, private ones generally aren’t required to educate students with disabilities. And they often don’t. The choice wasn’t hers, Johnson realized. It was the schools’.‘
propublica.org
Vouchers Promise Students With Disabilities a Path to Private School. Parents Say That’s Not the Reality.
To give voucher programs a toehold in state legislatures, politicians touted how students with disabilities would gain access to private education. But those students’ families often have the hardest ...
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I spoke with The Washington Post about the debate over reading full books in school: “I still believe that the ability to read a long text, a long novel, for instance, is really important, and now more than ever.”
washingtonpost.com
Schools are assigning fewer novels. Are excerpts just as good?
Standardized testing, budget cuts and time constraints factor into decisions over whether students read more books or more excerpts.
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
I just sent my August campaign and back to school newsletter. Included was the update that I’ve qualified for the Nov.3 ballot(!), a rundown of the DC State Board meeting last week (including a summary of my testimony), and plans for the fall campaign. Read it here at: www.aaron4ward3.com/news
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Writing meaningfully requires the ability to concentrate, think critically, organize thoughts, and self edit. I struggle with this as an adult. Students never developing these skills at all is even scarier.
nytimes.com
What Do Students Lose When They Stop Writing?
Educators are worried that many students can no longer write essays without A.I. And it’s costing more than just grammar skills.
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
A recent Times piece highlights a growing problem: students aren’t reading full books. This is even happening in DC. We don't need Texas-style top-down reading lists, but we DO need to treat parents as partners and a Ward 3 SBOE rep who will advocate loudly for academic rigor.
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Most Radical Thing About Texas’ Book List Isn’t the Bible
Educational traditionalism is not the same as political conservatism.
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Aaron Wesolowski @aaronweso.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
I dropped off nearly 300 signatures from Ward 3 voters today at the DC Board of Elections to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. It was amazing connecting with so many community members across Ward 3. And thank you so much to everyone who signed and helped collect signatures!
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Yards signs are here! I’ll start getting them out to people who’ve requested them soon! Please reach out if you’re a ward 3 resident and want one!
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
It was so great marching in the Palisades 4th of July Parade! There was a great turnout in spite of the heat and we collected a ton of signatures. Can’t think of a better way to spend Independence Day!
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
www.nbcnews.com/news/educati...
nbcnews.com
The revolt against i-Ready: Private equity-backed software faces parent, teacher and student fury
A growing number of families and educators say they’re fed up with i-Ready’s personalized math and reading lessons, which feature repetitive cartoons and slow voice-overs.
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
I recently submitted testimony to the DC City Council on the surge of screen time and EdTech in schools. I’m joining parents to call for: 1️⃣ A tech audit 2️⃣ Pausing new spending until efficacy is proven 3️⃣ A framework for AI safety Read my full testimony here: 🔗 lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hea...
lims.dccouncil.gov
DC Council Hearings Management System
View Hearings, Register to Witness, Submit Testimony
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
The massive Canvas breach raises new concerns about data security, on top of the privacy issues already brought up by the i-Ready litigation. It's a reminder of the risks that come with putting so much student information onto these digital platforms.
nytimes.com
Canvas Online Learning Platform Shut Down for Hours After Cyberattack
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Aaron Wesolowski @aaron4ward3sboe.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
It’s official: I’m running to be the DC State Board of Education Ward 3 representative! I support: ✅High academic standards (Reading full books!) ✅One nurse in every school ✅Sensible screen time & AI policies ✅Transparency for families Join me: www.aaron4ward3.com
aaron4ward3.com
A Voice for Ward 3
Official campaign website for Aaron Wesolowski for DC State Board of Education Ward 3 Representative
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Aaron Wesolowski @aaronweso.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202... Couldn’t agree more!
washingtonpost.com
Opinion | Why is my kindergartner watching ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ in school?
In D.C. schools, even the youngest pupils regularly use tablets and other electronic devices in class.
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
This somewhat slipped under the radar, but the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights issued a reporting finding that @dcpublicschools.bsky.social had violated federal laws by denying students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education: www.ed.gov/about/news/p...
ed.gov
U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Concludes D.C. Public Schools Discriminates Against Students with Disabilities
Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights concluded that the District of Columbia Public School System has violated Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II o...
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Aaron Wesolowski @aaronweso.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
iPads in Kindergarten, YouTube on Breaks: The School Screen-Time Battle www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/n... Kids’ school related screen time, both in school and then homework, is just exploding. It’s especially concerning when you’ve worked as a parent to really limit screen time all along.
nytimes.com
iPads in Kindergarten, YouTube on Breaks: The School Screen-Time Battle
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 10/03/2026
“If deep reading cultivates empathy,” Joel Halldorf writes, “the attention-fracturing, dopamine-hitting, scroll-spurring design of digital media often undermines it”:
bit.ly
Books Are Meant to Be Slow
The erosion of deep reading weakens our capacity to grasp complex ideas.
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
Alex Taliadoros @alexctaliadoros.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Wherever you stand on the DC Mayor’s race, one thing is clear: Only one of the two frontrunners is attending community forums, answering tough questions, and working to earn your vote by showing up.
Janeese Lewis George answers a question at the Ward 7 mayoral education forum.
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Aaron Wesolowski @aaronweso.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Really appreciated hearing from the mayoral candidates who bothered to show up for tonight’s DC Public Education Candidate Forum about the their priorities for DC schools. #Vote4PublicSchools
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Aaron Wesolowski @aaronweso.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
www.thebanner.com/education/k-... Unfortunately, DC schools aren’t the only local school district where there’s a shift away from reading full-length books. Parents and teachers in Montgomery County are raising concerns there, too.
thebanner.com
Parents worry schools aren’t pushing kids to read
Parents across Maryland, and the country, are questioning whether students are reading enough books — classics or otherwise — in English classes.
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
WTOP News @wtopnews.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
DC celebrates boost in college grant program for students
wtop.com
DC celebrates boost in college grant program for students
Congress provided for an increase in the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant program. Students who qualify can now get up to $15,000 a year.
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Aaron Wesolowski @aaronweso.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
www.dcareaeducators4socialjustice.org/events/dc-pu... I’ll be attending and asking mayoral candidates how they plan to maintain and expand school budgets, whether they support giving the State Board of Ed additional oversight authority, and whether they support reading books in schools.
dcareaeducators4socialjustice.org
DC Public Education Candidate Forum — D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice
DCAESJ Partner Event | Join the candidate forum to explore pressing issues in DC public education ahead of the consequential 2026 DC Primary Elections for Mayor, Council Chair and DC Delegate to Cong...
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Aaron Wesolowski @aaronweso.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
www.edweek.org/technology/w...
edweek.org
What's Worse for Students: A Boring Worksheet or Ineffective Ed Tech?
Some parents and policymakers are growing skeptical of the value of education technology.
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Aaron Wesolowski @aaronweso.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
“But more pointed toward the curriculum products their schools had purchased from major publishers. “Those programs often revolve around students reading short stories, articles, and excerpts from novels, then answering short-form questions and writing brief essays.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
nytimes.com
Kids Rarely Read Whole Books Anymore. Even in English Class.
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Aaron Wesolowski @aaronweso.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
By focusing directly on foundational skills and dedicating scheduled time for support, middle and high schools can empower teens to become a confident, successful readers.
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Aaron Wesolowski @aaronweso.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
I wrote an op-ed for The 51st arguing that DCPS middle-schoolers need to be reading full-length novels to build concentration, empathy, and strong foundational reading skills 51st.news/opinion-dcps...
51st.news
Opinion: DCPS middle-schoolers should be reading novels
Many parents like myself were shocked by a recent change to the English curriculum at Alice Deal Middle School.
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
The 51st @51st.news · 04/12/2025
Staff at Alice Deal Middle School made the decision this year to remove all full-length novels from the 8th grade curriculum. It's a mistake, current parent @aaronweso.bsky.social writes, arguing that "reading full novels has real and important benefits for middle school-age children and in life."
51st.news
Opinion: DCPS middle-schoolers should be reading novels
Many parents like myself were shocked by a recent change to the English curriculum at Alice Deal Middle School.
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Aaron Wesolowski @aaronweso.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
“Placement, not ability, seems to be the driver.” www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
washingtonpost.com
Race is linked to who gets to take algebra, data shows
Schools are less likely to offer Latino and Black students early algebra, limiting odds they will get advanced courses and higher-paying jobs.
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Reposted by Aaron Wesolowski
The 51st @51st.news · 17/11/2025
DOGE cuts, furloughs, and the toll of working without pay during the shutdown have devastated local families. One buffer that keeps neighborhoods from unraveling: Investing in community schools, Eboni-Rose Thompson argues in this opinion piece.
51st.news
Opinion: Now is the time to support D.C.’s community schools
If the federal government cuts funding, local investments we make in community schools and family supports are the buffer that keeps neighborhoods from unraveling, argues Eboni-Rose Thompson.
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