David Lapp
@davidlapp.bsky.social
Ed law and policy research (through a mostly Pennsylvania lens) and then an embarrassing amount of Sixers angst.
Maybe cyber charter schools can spend down some of their massive reserves...
www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/u...
www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/u...
November 22, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Maybe cyber charter schools can spend down some of their massive reserves...
www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/u...
www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by David Lapp
Sorry to be annoying but PA STILL DOESN'T HAVE A STATE BUDGET. Philly schools are having to burn millions of $$ on interest payments just to "keep the lights on." That’s equivalent to roughly 200 teacher salaries.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Philadelphia schools on the hook for millions in interest as state budget delay drags on
The Philadelphia school district has borrowed more than $500 million to make up for missing state funding as Pennsylvania’s budget impasse has hit four months. Even once lawmakers reach a deal, the di...
www.chalkbeat.org
November 11, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Sorry to be annoying but PA STILL DOESN'T HAVE A STATE BUDGET. Philly schools are having to burn millions of $$ on interest payments just to "keep the lights on." That’s equivalent to roughly 200 teacher salaries.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Reposted by David Lapp
Q: Are you worried about extremist pro-Hitler sentiment among young Republicans?
JOHNSON: No. I don't know who any of these people are. I've never heard of them. Somebody posted a photo of me standing next to these guys wearing tuxedos. It was at the inauguration, people were coming up for selfies
JOHNSON: No. I don't know who any of these people are. I've never heard of them. Somebody posted a photo of me standing next to these guys wearing tuxedos. It was at the inauguration, people were coming up for selfies
October 16, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by David Lapp
I'm very proud to share a new, first-of-its-kind analysis and data tool from my team at @educationwork.newamerica.org.
Redrawing the Lines is a first-ever look at how, if states draw school district borders with equity as the goal, they can HUGELY reduce funding inequality and segregation. #edusky
Redrawing the Lines is a first-ever look at how, if states draw school district borders with equity as the goal, they can HUGELY reduce funding inequality and segregation. #edusky
Redistricting School Systems Can Increase Funding Fairness and Decrease Segregation
A new report and interactive data tool show how specific redistricting choices can create fairer school systems for our children.
www.newamerica.org
September 25, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I'm very proud to share a new, first-of-its-kind analysis and data tool from my team at @educationwork.newamerica.org.
Redrawing the Lines is a first-ever look at how, if states draw school district borders with equity as the goal, they can HUGELY reduce funding inequality and segregation. #edusky
Redrawing the Lines is a first-ever look at how, if states draw school district borders with equity as the goal, they can HUGELY reduce funding inequality and segregation. #edusky
Love this kind of thing. www.inquirer.com/photo/a/hand...
Keeping Philly street handball alive in Hunting Park
Handball has been a cornerstone of the Latino community in Philadelphia for generations.
www.inquirer.com
September 14, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Love this kind of thing. www.inquirer.com/photo/a/hand...
Reposted by David Lapp
You guys see where this is going? Right?
September 1, 2025 at 2:11 PM
You guys see where this is going? Right?
Reposted by David Lapp
It’s crazy how he goes 4 days without committing an impeachable offense and we assume he’s dead. 😵
September 1, 2025 at 2:26 PM
It’s crazy how he goes 4 days without committing an impeachable offense and we assume he’s dead. 😵
Reposted by David Lapp
The administration says it wants to prevent PSLF from going to employees of orgs engaged in "illegal" activity
But we already have a legal system to address that
So the only purpose here is to let the admin interpret legality as it sees fit, using a lower "preponderance of the evidence" standard
But we already have a legal system to address that
So the only purpose here is to let the admin interpret legality as it sees fit, using a lower "preponderance of the evidence" standard
New Dept. of Ed Rule Limits Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Student advocates and higher ed lobbyists fear the suggested changes could lead to a shortfall in employees to fill high-demand, low-wage jobs.
www.insidehighered.com
August 19, 2025 at 1:18 PM
The administration says it wants to prevent PSLF from going to employees of orgs engaged in "illegal" activity
But we already have a legal system to address that
So the only purpose here is to let the admin interpret legality as it sees fit, using a lower "preponderance of the evidence" standard
But we already have a legal system to address that
So the only purpose here is to let the admin interpret legality as it sees fit, using a lower "preponderance of the evidence" standard
Another night of Kruk getting "punchy" @phillies.bsky.social @philliesnation.bsky.social
August 19, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Another night of Kruk getting "punchy" @phillies.bsky.social @philliesnation.bsky.social
Reposted by David Lapp
FLASHBACK: Jeffrey Epstein pleaded the Fifth when asked if he and Trump ever socialized with girls under 18.
That speaks volumes.
That speaks volumes.
August 7, 2025 at 7:13 PM
FLASHBACK: Jeffrey Epstein pleaded the Fifth when asked if he and Trump ever socialized with girls under 18.
That speaks volumes.
That speaks volumes.
Reposted by David Lapp
Holy shit, they did it. They wrote the headline.
July 30, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Holy shit, they did it. They wrote the headline.
Reposted by David Lapp
If you've been skeptical about the possibility of a Epstein conspiracy, as I have, I encourage you to read this incredible piece of reporting from CBS.
They present fairly compelling evidence that someone doctored the Epstein jail footage and Trump AGs Bondi and Barr and FBI lied about it.
They present fairly compelling evidence that someone doctored the Epstein jail footage and Trump AGs Bondi and Barr and FBI lied about it.
CBS News investigation of Jeffrey Epstein jail video reveals new discrepancies
A CBS News investigation found discrepancies between the government's description of the Jeffrey Epstein jail video and what the video shows.
www.cbsnews.com
July 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
If you've been skeptical about the possibility of a Epstein conspiracy, as I have, I encourage you to read this incredible piece of reporting from CBS.
They present fairly compelling evidence that someone doctored the Epstein jail footage and Trump AGs Bondi and Barr and FBI lied about it.
They present fairly compelling evidence that someone doctored the Epstein jail footage and Trump AGs Bondi and Barr and FBI lied about it.
Reposted by David Lapp
WalletHub asked for some comments re: school quality, school funding, and improving student outcomes. wallethub.com/edu/e/states...
July 21, 2025 at 12:13 PM
WalletHub asked for some comments re: school quality, school funding, and improving student outcomes. wallethub.com/edu/e/states...
Reposted by David Lapp
let's take stock here:
(Democratic) Presidents, via the Dept of Education, can't cancel student debt because statutes don't clearly authorize it.
Republican Presidents can cancel/shut down the Dept of Education because, even though only Congress can shut down departments ..., ... 🤷♀️ YOLO?
(Democratic) Presidents, via the Dept of Education, can't cancel student debt because statutes don't clearly authorize it.
Republican Presidents can cancel/shut down the Dept of Education because, even though only Congress can shut down departments ..., ... 🤷♀️ YOLO?
BREAKING: The Supreme Court allows the Trump administration to move forward with the abolition of the Department of Education. It gives no explanation for its order. All three liberals dissent. www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
From Sotomayor's dissent:
From Sotomayor's dissent:
July 14, 2025 at 7:57 PM
let's take stock here:
(Democratic) Presidents, via the Dept of Education, can't cancel student debt because statutes don't clearly authorize it.
Republican Presidents can cancel/shut down the Dept of Education because, even though only Congress can shut down departments ..., ... 🤷♀️ YOLO?
(Democratic) Presidents, via the Dept of Education, can't cancel student debt because statutes don't clearly authorize it.
Republican Presidents can cancel/shut down the Dept of Education because, even though only Congress can shut down departments ..., ... 🤷♀️ YOLO?
This song has been in my head a lot lately. It shouldn't have to be. youtube.com/watch?v=FsDy...
Mothers Of The Disappeared (Remastered 2007)
YouTube video by U2 - Topic
youtube.com
July 11, 2025 at 2:43 PM
This song has been in my head a lot lately. It shouldn't have to be. youtube.com/watch?v=FsDy...
Reposted by David Lapp
Just to get real: No, these programs alone aren't a huge % of school district's total $. But (1) they REALLY matter to the students they support, and (2) this is almost certainly a trial run. If the Trump admin—USED&OMB—don't get serious pushback on this, bigger cuts are likely to follow. #edusky
Yesterday, I shared my @educationwork.newamerica.org team's district impact analysis of the $6+ billion that the Trump admin is refusing to disburse to schools (link in 2nd post). Now, @edweek.org has published our funding figures for ALL districts in the US for which we have data. Search for yours↓
See How Much Federal Money Trump Is Holding Back From Your District
Hundreds of districts will lose more than $1 million each, according to a new analysis.
www.edweek.org
July 9, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Just to get real: No, these programs alone aren't a huge % of school district's total $. But (1) they REALLY matter to the students they support, and (2) this is almost certainly a trial run. If the Trump admin—USED&OMB—don't get serious pushback on this, bigger cuts are likely to follow. #edusky
Reposted by David Lapp
I almost can't believe that Elon Musk's AI called for the extermination of the Jewish people yesterday, and today not a single Congressional Democrat announced they were leaving his media network.
A party that often claims to act against antisemitism didn't do jack shit about straight up Nazism.
A party that often claims to act against antisemitism didn't do jack shit about straight up Nazism.
July 9, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I almost can't believe that Elon Musk's AI called for the extermination of the Jewish people yesterday, and today not a single Congressional Democrat announced they were leaving his media network.
A party that often claims to act against antisemitism didn't do jack shit about straight up Nazism.
A party that often claims to act against antisemitism didn't do jack shit about straight up Nazism.
Commence the real wasting, frauding, and abusing.
Republicans just took away your healthcare so they can fund their secret police: newrepublic.com/post/197612/...
Congress Gives ICE More Money Than It Could Have Ever Imagined
It’s impossible to overstate how much power ICE just got from Trump’s budget.
newrepublic.com
July 7, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Commence the real wasting, frauding, and abusing.
Reposted by David Lapp
Received an email that our son's after-school program, which has helped immensely throughout his foster and adoption journey, had its funding frozen and is in danger of completely shutting down this summer and beyond. It's illegal and it's immoral and it's just plain cruel. I will never forget this
Trump administration withholds $230 million for Pennsylvania schools • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Education advocates said the failure to release the funds was reckless and unlawful and would affect the state's most vulnerable students.
penncapital-star.com
July 4, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Received an email that our son's after-school program, which has helped immensely throughout his foster and adoption journey, had its funding frozen and is in danger of completely shutting down this summer and beyond. It's illegal and it's immoral and it's just plain cruel. I will never forget this
Reposted by David Lapp
The ICE budget scares me more than anything that has happened since November 5th.
July 3, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The ICE budget scares me more than anything that has happened since November 5th.
Reposted by David Lapp
Abolish ICE
You think that vast armed force is going to be used just for immigration?
I doubt it. Watch for ICE duties to expand duties and for ICE to follow the pattern of militarization of police. Also watch it used as secret police against anything anti-ICE.
I doubt it. Watch for ICE duties to expand duties and for ICE to follow the pattern of militarization of police. Also watch it used as secret police against anything anti-ICE.
If the GOP reconciliation bill passes, ICE gets through FY2029:
- $45 billion for detention, on top of the current annual budget of $3.4 billion
- $14.4 billion for transportation and removal, on top of the current annual budget of $750 million
- $8 billion for hiring/retention
- Billions more.
- $45 billion for detention, on top of the current annual budget of $3.4 billion
- $14.4 billion for transportation and removal, on top of the current annual budget of $750 million
- $8 billion for hiring/retention
- Billions more.
July 2, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Abolish ICE
Reposted by David Lapp
Our July newsletter is out! PA Budget, Opposing the Federal Budget Reconciliation Bill, Supreme Court Ruling Doesn’t Prohibit Inclusive Curricula, and More. conta.cc/3TkY5aq
If you aren't on our list, subscribe here:
www.elc-pa.org/subscribe/
If you aren't on our list, subscribe here:
www.elc-pa.org/subscribe/
July 1, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Our July newsletter is out! PA Budget, Opposing the Federal Budget Reconciliation Bill, Supreme Court Ruling Doesn’t Prohibit Inclusive Curricula, and More. conta.cc/3TkY5aq
If you aren't on our list, subscribe here:
www.elc-pa.org/subscribe/
If you aren't on our list, subscribe here:
www.elc-pa.org/subscribe/
Reposted by David Lapp
If federal aid for students experiencing homelessness is slashed and/or rolled into a block grant, those critical services could disappear. Transparency would suffer, and the funds could vanish altogether, said ELC Legal Director Maura McInerney. Read more: www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...
Western Pa. school districts brace for possible 'catastrophic' cuts for homeless students
Under the federal proposal, the McKinney-Vento grant program would be consolidated with 17 other education-related programs focused on things such as literacy and rural education, among others.
www.post-gazette.com
June 24, 2025 at 8:18 PM
If federal aid for students experiencing homelessness is slashed and/or rolled into a block grant, those critical services could disappear. Transparency would suffer, and the funds could vanish altogether, said ELC Legal Director Maura McInerney. Read more: www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...