EDU Trending: Democracy or Autocracy?
Hubris and strong-arm tactics are not reserved for the Republican party. Previous Democrat administrations pushed policies, such as Race to the Top, insisting on compliance and refusing to acknowledge or address public concerns.
Let me be clear. I do not like identity politics of any persuasion: Right, Left, Republican, or Democrat. Too often what starts as a mission becomes dogmatic, intolerant of criticism or inquiry, divisive. That is why I believe that any ideological group – in either political party - that tries to recruit people to one point of view by demonizing another is short-sighted, narrow-minded, and dangerous. Dangerous in its lack of empathy and in its disregard for the opinions, strength, and value of unity among the American people.
Actions - motivated by elitism, grievance, or the thirst for power - do not embody democratic principles. Nor are they conducive to listening, learning, and having respectful and civil discourse that leads to finding common ground, inclusive understanding, and productive collaboration.
We are at present a combative, angry people - some of whom are ferociously scuttling the very Democracy which drew so many of our ancestors to these shores.
In our news media, museums, and schools, Americans are entitled to a complete, fact-based account of historical and current events – unadorned, unvarnished. When an individual or group expresses their interpretation of the facts, they are expressing an opinion. They are entitled to do so.
But when an opinion (social, economic, or political) is thrust upon the public as fact by those with power or clout, opinion morphs into propaganda. And propaganda is one short step from autocratic indoctrination.
Opinions matter. Equally. For each of us. We should all – liberals and conservatives alike – speak out against attempts to divide us. We should also take time to look in the mirror and be honest and reflective about where our actions and rhetoric fall on the scale between Democracy and Intolerance for The Other.
I stand for Democracy. We do not have to agree in order to get along. In fact, listening to each other’s opinions can produce a new, greater, more encompassing and rewarding truth for ourselves and for our country. Lincoln knew this when he ended The Gettysburg Address with the promise and resolve “…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
News for Your Views: And Reflection
AI literacy: A cautionary tale. In K-12 schools around the world, AI literacy is or may soon be a required subject with grade-appropriate curriculum. Why? So that countries can equip their youth to compete aggressively, effectively, and profitably in what is increasingly a fast-paced global marketplace, driven by AI. Sounds like a plan.
But today, teachers should be on the lookout for students who use AI to write their papers, do their projects, think for them. Why? Because such actions amount to unethical and dishonest plagiarism. Students must learn to be independent, problem-solving, responsible, and trustworthy citizens. As important, ceding the right and responsibility to think and do for yourself subverts students’ ability to control and use AI (and other skills) to best advantage as they build their careers and compete on the world stage.
AI is a cautionary tale, more so when we remember HAL, the antagonist in the 1968 movie “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The story shows what could happen when humans rely - naively and too completely - on a computer (HAL) until it achieves the power to control their spacecraft and tries to eliminate them before they can do the same to him.
Check out this clip.
It is time to decide. Do we want AI to write students’ papers? Our papers? Or do we plan for the future? Are we willing to do the work and learn to master and control AI as a PA (personal assistant) that helps us to achieve our ambitions and dreams? What we do not want is to be ignorant and vulnerable so that a computer might one day say, “I’m sorry, (your name here), I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
Recently, the Trump administration stated its intention to politically curate exhibits for the Smithsonian’s 21 museums and for programs at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by replacing what it labels “improper ideology”with its own.
What is the secret to successfully banning cellphones in K-12 public schools? Give students alternatives that are more social, more satisfying, more fun. It is actually that simple.
Boys just want to have fun. Give them fun, and they will come and happily engage at school. For years, recess, exploration, and play - once staples of social and academic learning – had been discarded for not being “time on task.” But time for fun is ‘in’ again and pays off in the classroom. Surprise, surprise!
Truth be told: After years of issuing inflated grades in a chronic plethora of gut courses, Harvard was outed by one of its own - a student opinion writer for the Harvard Crimson daily paper: In 2025, after stinging criticism hit the national press, Harvard has promised to change its ways: https://www.nysun.com/article/too-many-a-grades-harvard-moves-to-restore-academic-rigor-after-years-of-grade-inflation
Is the real truth about Harvard that it is no longer worth the price of admission?
Question of the Day: Primary Concerns
According to a 2025 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Studies of Reading, reading and comprehension among K-12 students have been underdeveloped and deficient for approximately:
50 years
40 years
30 years
20 years
10 years
For the correct answer, please go to: https://www.merleschell.com/blog/when-goals-collide
From Me to You: The Best Things in Life…
The Best Things in Life Are Free. Think about it. Flowers blooming, birds chirping, daylight savings time, friends and family, our pets, a long talk with an old friend, having fun with your kids and partner.
We are grateful until our innocent happiness is disrupted when we listen to the day’s news.
What good is it to motivate students by restoring recess and fun, to successfully ban cell phones by replacing them with extra-curricular activities? What good is it to teach students how to use AI to innovate and compete? What good is it to have happy, motivated students only to undermine them with one or another ideological agenda?
If all this gives you a headache, laugh at the lunacy of it all. Take pleasure in what nature offers us for free. Take heart from the wonderful, smart, funny, and caring people in your life. People you love. A job that is gratifying. Hobbies you enjoy. Be happy and be kind. You will feel renewed. Smiles all around for sure.
If only we work together, we can mobilize the good and defeat the bad. If only…
