Education

A father and daughter flying a kite

School systems have an educational duty to engage parents.

By Justin Katz | July 9, 2021 |

On her Substack page, Rhode Island education advocate Erika Sanzi asks the question, “What Happened to Listening to Parents?” We were united by the fundamental belief that parents need and deserve to be heard, seen as partners in their children’s educational experience. We were united in the belief that parents should have a front row seat…

The Statue of Liberty and U.S. Flag

Do American teachers’ unions love (or even like) their country?

By Justin Katz | July 8, 2021 |

In fairness, it’s possible that GoLocalProv didn’t quote part of a statement from Frank Flynn, the president of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, which is the Ocean State’s branch of the national American Federation of Teachers, and I couldn’t find it in full on the labor union’s website or anywhere else. As…

Part of the mural at URI

URI has moved back a step from the ledge of mural destruction.

By Justin Katz | July 7, 2021 |

The University of Rhode Island has reconsidered its plan to destroy an iconic mural in its student union. Christian Schneider reports for The College Fix: The murals, painted by URI graduate Arthur Sherman in the 1950s, came under criticism last summer because their depiction of what life at the school was like in the post-war era…

Chart of overt and covert white supremacy

Here are some pointers to unspin critical race theory framing.

By Justin Katz | July 6, 2021 |

Given the unintended theme of the posts on Anchor Rising, today, it seems like a good day to direct readers’ attention to a post on PJ Media by Bryan Preston, with the summary title, “Leaked Docs: Critical Race Theory Seeks to Undermine Equality and the Constitutional Order.” Preston posts screen grabs from a mandatory presentation for Iowa school…

A hypnotic background

Be aware that the pro-CRT activists are organized and relentlessly on-message.

By Justin Katz | July 6, 2021 |

Have you ever noticed that the talking points for progressive causes coalesce and spread amazingly quickly?  One moment, the general public is trying to figure out what this critical race theory (CRT) thing is and why districts are pushing it on children, and the next minute activists, public figures, and journalists appear to be all…

A "No" sign engulfed in a tree

Testimony of a young heir of the so-called patriarchy should cause pause.

By Justin Katz | July 5, 2021 |

It’s been out there for a few weeks, but a letter that Professor John McWhorter promoted from a male high school student deserves a read.  What the boy writes is far too much in keeping with other evidence, from male student achievement to suicide rates, to be dismissed as the whining of an elite private…

A "thank you" road sign

Gratitude is emerging as an important deficit in American culture.

By Justin Katz | June 30, 2021 |

At a midlife crossroads with the opportunity for career adjustments, I’ve been reading life-improvement and business-type books, and one repeated theme that wouldn’t necessarily come first to mind in that genre is the value of gratitude.  Being grateful affects how you approach problems and how you present yourself, which affects your ability to overcome challenges…

School girl in medical mask

The state Department of Education still wants to mask young children in the autumn.

By Justin Katz | June 30, 2021 |

A press release just out from the Rhode Island Department of Education announcing COVID-related standards for the return to school, takes some steps toward acknowledging science in the fall by eliminating requirements that schools provide an virtual-learning option.  Moreover, while recommendations to be cautions whenever possible remain in place (e.g., encouragement toward out-door dining when…

Glenn Loury and John McWhorter

Brown University Professor Glenn Loury is a Rhode Island treasure who ought to be much more prominent in these parts.

By Justin Katz | June 29, 2021 |

Here he is plainly stating a purpose for higher education that used to enjoy broad (near-universal) agreement, as quoted by Katie Pavlich on Townhall: “To teach people they are [their skin color], is criminal in my opinion, okay? We are to challenge them. They come in telling me that they are this or they are…

A college class

Mike Rowe is right that making people pay for others’ college degrees is unfair.

By Justin Katz | June 28, 2021 |

He made the comment to The Daily Wire’s Amanda Prestigiacomo when she asked him about Bill Maher’s recent rant against free college.  Here’s Rowe: The “Dirty Jobs” host said that he believes that “making taxpayers pay the tuition of those who wish to attend a university” is “profound unfairness,” adding that such a point has been…