iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Judith Kafka

Adam "I Was Hoping We Could Keep It" Laats @adamlaats.bsky.social · 2h

School people: We're about a month away from SCOTUS deliberations in St. Mary's v. Roy. It's a big deal: Private schools want to take public money but keep their "right" to discriminate against LGBTQ families. They built their case on a bogus history, so we filed a brief telling the real story:

supremecourt.gov

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Reposted by Judith Kafka

Marxe School @marxe.baruch.cuny.edu · 26/05/2026

Interested in how immigration shapes cities and public policy? PAF 3018: Immigrant Cities with Prof. Robert Smith explores immigration, education, health, federalism, and immigrant communities in the U.S. In-person📍 Tues/Thurs 🗓 10:45 AM–12 PM ⏰ Open to all majors. #FallRegistration

Five students seated around a table, actively participating in a discussion

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

This was so great @jenjennings.bsky.social I had already assigned a reading about the AZ ESA program for class today, and so I added your game as an optional add-on. Several students had played and it really generated a great discussion. It made all the issues a lot more concrete. Thank you!

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Reposted by Judith Kafka

Will Stancil @whstancil.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

The situation in Minneapolis: even though the ICE presence in the city is greatly reduced, and national attention has moved on, a huge portion of our population remains essentially in hiding, devastating the schools and economy. In particular, much of the education system remains in crisis

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Marxe School @marxe.baruch.cuny.edu · 25/02/2026

📣 Happening tomorrow! Don’t miss the Spring 2026 Ackerman Lecture with Jelani Cobb, exploring the past, present, and future of multiracial democracy in an age of authoritarianism. 📍 Baruch College | Livestream available 🔗 Register now marxe.baruch.cuny.edu/ackerman-lect…

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Everyone should read the entire thread.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Yes. Posting is fine and all, and I get a lot of information from folks on here so thanks to all who share. But emailing or calling your reps so that their your voice is counted by their offices really can make a difference. It doesn't matter if they read it. They see when the volume is up.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Yes - and like everything the media focuses on in higher ed, I find the opposite problem teaching in a less- privileged setting. My students often don't want to ask for their accommodations because they don't want me to think they are making excuses, or looking for an "easy way out."

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Yes - as I learned in K-12 teaching decades ago, most accommodations can benefit everyone and are just good teaching.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

My husband received the nicest letter from a former student this week. The person is now an adult and wanted to let him know how much his actions as a middle school principal affected their life trajectory. If you've ever thought about sending a message like this, do it! Celebrate goodness.

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Reposted by Judith Kafka

Jessica Schulberg @jessicaschulberg.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

BREAKING: Tremane Wood, who was moments away from being executed for a killing his brother admitted to committing, received a last minute clemency grant from Gov. Kevin Stitt www.huffpost.com/entry/treman...

huffpost.com

Tremane Wood Spared From Execution In Shocking Decision

His case marks only the second time Gov. Kevin Stitt has commuted a death sentence since entering office in 2019.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Dear Democratic Party: I currently teach first-semester college students, almost all of whom will be *business* majors. We focus on policy, not politicians, in class, but Mamdani's message has infiltrated everything. Young people are paying attention and they are energized. That's the lesson.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Beautiful day to vote in NYC! Bummed I didn't get the Brooklyn sticker, but I'm a sucker for same-day, run-into-your-neighbors-and-school-personnel-you-remember-from-years-ago voting.

I voted in the city of New York sticker and pen.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

I'm at a mayoral debate watch party @marxe.baruch.cuny.edu and man are we laughing a lot!

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

I'm sorry to admit that it's somewhat gratifying to read this from folks at highly exclusive institutions.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

We were inundated with mailers attacking our city council rep. I did not love how she handled a housing/development issue in my neighborhood and would have been open to voting for a challenger. But the mailers I received were so deeply offensive I could not support that effort.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

I agree. And also I do think New Yorkers like myself calling and emailing helps. Statewide Dems need NYC votes. I’m not voting for anyone who fear mongers like this.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

I cannot overstate the amount of hateful, ugly campaign material that has arrived in my mail daily for the past few weeks. My city council rep was targeted by terrible forces and I’m so glad to see that she prevailed. Things are looking up for mayor too.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Again, as this article notes, Biden never actually reinstated the Obama-era guidelines that Trump is supposedly undoing here.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

I mean this definitely makes getting rid of the DOE seem like a good idea...

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Just subscribed to my first substack.

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Reposted by Judith Kafka

Jonathan Feingold @jpygold.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Gentle reminder, naked preference for loyal mediocre white dudes is NOT “affirmative action for white people” Affirmative Action rewards those who excel under harsh conditions. The shit Trump is doing rewards Twitter trolls who lick his boots.

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Reposted by Judith Kafka

A.J. Bauer @ajbauer.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Has congress passed a law superseding or eliminating the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961? Has the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional? Then why are journalists reporting that Trump and Musk are "shutting down" USAID. They are not authorized to do so.

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Reposted by Judith Kafka

Jonathan Feingold @jpygold.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Any university that voluntarily shutters a DEI program, office or personnel “Because of Trumps Executive Order” is making a PR decision. Not a legal one. Trumps EO does not change anti discrimination law. If anything, the EO is unlawful. Universities should treat it that way.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

I honestly don't know how those of you who are staying up to the moment on all of this stuff do it. I appreciate you, and rely on you when I pop in here once or twice a day, which is all I can handle. I want to be more active but right now I just can't.

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Reposted by Judith Kafka

Salena @salena.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

I was led to believe by R.E.M. that I would feel a lot better about this.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

To review, a very short and over simplified thread. 1. The US does not have a national education system. Public schools exist because of state constitutions, local school policy changes because of state and district action.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

@dominiquejl.bsky.social I’m listening to you sounding super smart on the radio right now. Great job! And hooray to @wnyc.org for giving this exhibition at the Center for Brooklyn History so much air time. Can’t wait to check it out.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

This is it. Trump doesn't have the authority to do most of what he lays out in his order, but it won't matter if schools and teachers think they can't teach social history, or acknowledge the humanity of all types of people. Or if states and local school boards follow suit.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

With all the yuckiness, taking my time to carefully read this pre-pub by @kallienebenjamin.bsky.social was a high point of my week. Highly recommend. It will re-periodize the way most of us think about urban development and racial zoning. And it centers schools. uncpress.org/book/9781469...

uncpress.org

Good Parents, Better Homes, and Great Schools | Karen Benjamin | University of North Carolina Press

Good Parents, Better Homes, and Great Schools examines how white residential developers, planning consultants, and their allies in government strategically r...

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Going to bed not long after I posted this was definitely the right call. Tbc, I was of course rooting for my hometown team, but anyone following football who doesn't at least partly want to see the Lions finally make it to a Superbowl is missing a piece of their sports-fan heart.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Globes were so awkward I agreed to change the channel to my first NFL watch of the season, but this Vikes-Lions game has given me a headache. I forgot how stressful it is to watch a football game when you care even a bit about the outcome.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

For the record I think this has been the most depressing syllabus planning I've ever experienced. Way worse than 2016. I always try to plant at least a seed of hope each week, but that's been tough to pull off this time.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

I've been working on my school reform syllabus and for the first time in my decades of teaching it, the course will not have a stand-alone unit on "school choice." Choice has become so widespread, it's not really a reform anymore, and it's discussed in many of the foundational readings.

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Reposted by Judith Kafka

Derek W. Black @derekwblack.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

One man’s liberty is another man’s school closure. West Virginia’s voucher program sent 10,000 students to private school last year. One school community lost $1 million. Now the state is closing 24 schools. www.the74million.org/article/west...

the74million.org

West Virginia School Board Approves More Closures

The board expects to vote on closing around two dozen schools this year due to the state’s rapidly declining student population.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

For 15 years I have hard core competed with Christmas by making Hanukkah as fun as possible for my kids and their friends. And it worked! Currently hosting a pre-Hanukkah party at their request. Our apartment is full of teens of all backgrounds eating latkes and playing dreidel.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Could he win the Republican primary, though? I don't get the sense they care for him much either.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

"“Everything that is spelled out — that we now have permission to do — is just general good practice,” said the school leader." Just a reminder that much of what affects children's day-to-day school experiences is locally-determined. www.nydailynews.com/2024/12/05/n...

nydailynews.com

NYC public schools loosen reading curriculum mandate after teacher, principal pushback

The policy changes will give schools with more discretion to tweak curriculum and move at the pace of their students.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

A year ago AI could not adequately answer my essay prompts. Now it does a pretty nice job, although it writes the same essay every time. Has anyone on here used an AI-generated response to the prompt as a starting point for undergraduate students? And if so what do you then ask them to do?

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

I’ve waited days now for someone else to bring this up, but I haven’t seen anything posted about the new hallmark movie where a house is being prepped for a “needy” family, headed by the town’s (possibly retired) school principal.

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Reposted by Judith Kafka

Lora Bartlett @lorabartlett.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Know an outstanding scholar whose work attends to the Lives of Teachers? Nominate them for the Michael Huberman Award for Outstanding Lives of Teachers' Scholarship - an AREA-sanctioned SIG honor for which nominations are sought by December 13, 2024. Please repost! docs.google.com/document/d/1...

docs.google.com

2025 Huberman Award Call

The AERA LIves of Teachers SIG Invites Nominations for the Michael Huberman Award for Outstanding Scholarship The Michael Huberman Award is an AREA-sanctioned honor for which nominations are sought...

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

It’s time to acknowledge that there are no “hacks” for seeding a pomegranate. There are your preferred methods, ways to keep it a bit cleaner, etc. But at the end of the day it’s a long messy process that you just have to embrace.

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Judith Kafka @judithkafka.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

All the coverage I see about the federal DOE seems to assume that how it exists and functions now is set in stone. But it's not all or nothing. The federal government can fund schools without a DOE; it can regulate schools without a DOE; it can enforce students' civil rights without a DOE.

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