david i. backer
@schooldaves.bsky.social
associate prof of education policy. former high school teacher. education, ideology, policy, finance, climate, socialism. he/him. https://linktr.ee/davidibacker
Pinned
david i. backer
@schooldaves.bsky.social
· Sep 13
As Public as Possible - The New Press
A witty and provocative treatise on the financial policies we’ll need to make our public schools work for all childrenFrom the anti-CRT panic to efforts to divert tax dollars to charter schools, the r...
thenewpress.org
My book is coming!!! thenewpress.org/books/as-pub...
Reposted by david i. backer
Not enough people realize how bad air pollution is for our health (and the Trump admin is of course helping make more of it) www.wired.com/story/one-of...
Bad Air Is One of the Biggest Threats to Your Health. Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Even though you can’t see it, fine particulate matter from woodsmoke and industrial pollution can cause everything from heart attacks and diabetes to brain damage.
www.wired.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Not enough people realize how bad air pollution is for our health (and the Trump admin is of course helping make more of it) www.wired.com/story/one-of...
Reposted by david i. backer
holy moly our Hopkins lab data @nzpolicylab.bsky.social is in the IEA's energy bible!!
the cool kids are actually reading the IEA World energy outlook 2025 till page 76 and not having heads turned by the silly trumpist pressure CPS scenario getting all the headlines....
www.iea.org/reports/worl...
the cool kids are actually reading the IEA World energy outlook 2025 till page 76 and not having heads turned by the silly trumpist pressure CPS scenario getting all the headlines....
www.iea.org/reports/worl...
November 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM
holy moly our Hopkins lab data @nzpolicylab.bsky.social is in the IEA's energy bible!!
the cool kids are actually reading the IEA World energy outlook 2025 till page 76 and not having heads turned by the silly trumpist pressure CPS scenario getting all the headlines....
www.iea.org/reports/worl...
the cool kids are actually reading the IEA World energy outlook 2025 till page 76 and not having heads turned by the silly trumpist pressure CPS scenario getting all the headlines....
www.iea.org/reports/worl...
Reposted by david i. backer
If the current draft of the Florida State educational standards pertaining to the new History of Communism course are adopted, then students will learn how it's a Commie trick to use the term "McCarthyism" as an insult to impugn the integrity of wholesome anti-communists like today's McCarthyites!
November 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
If the current draft of the Florida State educational standards pertaining to the new History of Communism course are adopted, then students will learn how it's a Commie trick to use the term "McCarthyism" as an insult to impugn the integrity of wholesome anti-communists like today's McCarthyites!
Reposted by david i. backer
WE WON. I am *begging* you to take note of who did this. *Not* UCLA admin—they’re still scuttling around behind closed doors, attempting to appease—but FACULTY AND STAFF, led by AAUP.
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
November 15, 2025 at 12:01 AM
WE WON. I am *begging* you to take note of who did this. *Not* UCLA admin—they’re still scuttling around behind closed doors, attempting to appease—but FACULTY AND STAFF, led by AAUP.
Reposted by david i. backer
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Reposted by david i. backer
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M adopts policy requiring professors to get OK from school president to discuss certain race and gender issues.
November 13, 2025 at 11:15 PM
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M adopts policy requiring professors to get OK from school president to discuss certain race and gender issues.
Reposted by david i. backer
Remember the last time a candidate for New York City Mayor proposed eliminating fares on city buses? Yes, I am talking about Michael Bloomberg in 2009. archive.nytimes.com/cityroom.blo...
Bloomberg Calls for Free Crosstown Buses
The mayor appeared to be trying to assert a greater role for the city in mass transit as he seeks a third term in the November election, but he faces hurdles.
archive.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Remember the last time a candidate for New York City Mayor proposed eliminating fares on city buses? Yes, I am talking about Michael Bloomberg in 2009. archive.nytimes.com/cityroom.blo...
Welcome to Sylvan Marceline Ronen-Backer, newest member of our family. Partner gave birth after many hours and he arrived on his due date 11/12/25. Everyone’s happy and healthy thankfully!
November 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Welcome to Sylvan Marceline Ronen-Backer, newest member of our family. Partner gave birth after many hours and he arrived on his due date 11/12/25. Everyone’s happy and healthy thankfully!
Reposted by david i. backer
NYC event celebrating the upcoming publication of Lise Vogel’s The Contested Domain (edited by me) at The New School on December 2 at 6pm featuring Alyssa Battistoni, Robyn Marasco, Aaron Jaffe, & Rachel Schreiber. Free and open to the public w registration event.newschool.edu/marxistfemin...
event.newschool.edu
November 12, 2025 at 2:44 AM
NYC event celebrating the upcoming publication of Lise Vogel’s The Contested Domain (edited by me) at The New School on December 2 at 6pm featuring Alyssa Battistoni, Robyn Marasco, Aaron Jaffe, & Rachel Schreiber. Free and open to the public w registration event.newschool.edu/marxistfemin...
Reposted by david i. backer
The left needs to overcome its debilitating fear of debt. Debt is obligation & no society can function without it. The true question is: How is debt politically constructed? Our latest piece opens up this question in a new &, I think, rather unprecedented way. Hopefully, this is just a start.
"Instead of relying on future repayment, public banks would issue grants to projects based on their public mission. ... [A] grant is still debt; only, it is a qualitative obligation to improve social and environmental conditions, rather than a quantitative obligation to repay a financial sum."
Beyond Loans: The Public Grant-Making Bank
By the Money on the Left Editorial Collective Public banking has been gaining traction for years, driven by a growing recognition that our current financial system often fails to serve the public g…
moneyontheleft.org
November 12, 2025 at 12:25 PM
The left needs to overcome its debilitating fear of debt. Debt is obligation & no society can function without it. The true question is: How is debt politically constructed? Our latest piece opens up this question in a new &, I think, rather unprecedented way. Hopefully, this is just a start.
Reposted by david i. backer
Montclair State is getting rid of its humanities departments. 🤬🤬🤬
Sign the Petition
Montclair State is Eliminating All Humanities Departments
c.org
November 11, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Montclair State is getting rid of its humanities departments. 🤬🤬🤬
Reposted by david i. backer
Reading that article led me to seek out other writing by Coviello. This is an excellent piece relevant to everyone in or who cares about American academia. www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/...
November 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Reading that article led me to seek out other writing by Coviello. This is an excellent piece relevant to everyone in or who cares about American academia. www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/...
Reposted by david i. backer
The majority of UMD faculty are nontenure researchers on federal funding. Hundreds of our public servants are threatened by MAGA science cuts. We're asking our bosses for simple things to keep people whole or provide dignified exits.
If you work at UMD or have worked with us, please sign and share
If you work at UMD or have worked with us, please sign and share
Protect PTK Researchers at UMD
Higher education is under attack from a federal administration that seeks to undermine our research infrastructure for political gain. Faculty at UMD conducting crucial research in fields like climate...
actionnetwork.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
The majority of UMD faculty are nontenure researchers on federal funding. Hundreds of our public servants are threatened by MAGA science cuts. We're asking our bosses for simple things to keep people whole or provide dignified exits.
If you work at UMD or have worked with us, please sign and share
If you work at UMD or have worked with us, please sign and share
Reposted by david i. backer
We have some ideas in our forthcoming book #SchoolsforSale, based on what happened over the past 10+ years in PHL. Book drops in June 2026 + available for pre-order now. We are open to talk to folks organizing, in school districts, and cities about our recs.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
November 11, 2025 at 4:19 PM
We have some ideas in our forthcoming book #SchoolsforSale, based on what happened over the past 10+ years in PHL. Book drops in June 2026 + available for pre-order now. We are open to talk to folks organizing, in school districts, and cities about our recs.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
I mean it’s a legitimate question: what do you with your old buildings made for more students when the milieu’s vibes are so bad that ppl stop having kids and enrollment drops? www.cleveland.com/news/2025/11...
Cleveland Schools announces massive consolidation plan to close 23 buildings
CMSD will close buildings and merge schools under a sweeping restructuring plan.
www.cleveland.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I mean it’s a legitimate question: what do you with your old buildings made for more students when the milieu’s vibes are so bad that ppl stop having kids and enrollment drops? www.cleveland.com/news/2025/11...
This is truly hilarious, read the whole thing:
“if your child will be staying after school for an activity, log it in your Ass (“After-School Stuff”).” www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/our...
“if your child will be staying after school for an activity, log it in your Ass (“After-School Stuff”).” www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/our...
Our School District Can Now Keep Track of Your Child with Just Three Terrible Apps
Other than lawsuits, losing track of a child is every school district’s worst nightmare. We haven’t lost anyone yet, but an EdTech company has pain...
www.mcsweeneys.net
November 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
This is truly hilarious, read the whole thing:
“if your child will be staying after school for an activity, log it in your Ass (“After-School Stuff”).” www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/our...
“if your child will be staying after school for an activity, log it in your Ass (“After-School Stuff”).” www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/our...
Reposted by david i. backer
Rider is also cutting pay by 14% and suspending retirement contributions. Their net assets are down more than 50% since 2021, and they will be down to zero in 3-4 years at this rate.
November 11, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Rider is also cutting pay by 14% and suspending retirement contributions. Their net assets are down more than 50% since 2021, and they will be down to zero in 3-4 years at this rate.
Reposted by david i. backer
JPMAM thinks Oct lost 35k jobs
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
JPMAM thinks Oct lost 35k jobs
“at least 20 of the nation’s 25 most populous cities have reported budget gaps for fiscal year 2026—and often beyond—based on a review by The Pew Charitable Trusts of news reports, budget documents, and communications with city officials.” www.pew.org/en/research-...
Big Cities Face Deficits: Should States Worry?
Fiscal stress in the U.S.’ largest cities is widespread. In a five-month span from December 2024 to April 2025, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington all experienced credit rating downgr...
www.pew.org
November 10, 2025 at 1:36 AM
“at least 20 of the nation’s 25 most populous cities have reported budget gaps for fiscal year 2026—and often beyond—based on a review by The Pew Charitable Trusts of news reports, budget documents, and communications with city officials.” www.pew.org/en/research-...
Reposted by david i. backer
At least the widows of the dead Democratic Reps. will get their cash. (priorities, sigh)
November 10, 2025 at 12:04 AM
At least the widows of the dead Democratic Reps. will get their cash. (priorities, sigh)
Reposted by david i. backer
it’s a lousy deal www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
www.appropriations.senate.gov
November 10, 2025 at 12:08 AM
it’s a lousy deal www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
Yet no system of collective choice can be legitimate if people lack access to livelihood, education, health, time or voice…this framework assumes that the provision of universal basic services & income is the enabling condition for people to engage fully & freely... newleftreview.org/issues/ii154...
Aaron Benanav, Beyond Capitalism—2, NLR 154, July–August 2025
Following his analytic survey of socialist economic theory and practice in the last number of NLR, Aaron Benanav sets out a design for institutions that could structure an economic democracy beyond ca...
newleftreview.org
November 9, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Yet no system of collective choice can be legitimate if people lack access to livelihood, education, health, time or voice…this framework assumes that the provision of universal basic services & income is the enabling condition for people to engage fully & freely... newleftreview.org/issues/ii154...
Reposted by david i. backer
This is a fabulous read, a useful examination of New York Times reporting style, and just a crackling piece of prose. lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:14 PM
This is a fabulous read, a useful examination of New York Times reporting style, and just a crackling piece of prose. lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Reposted by david i. backer
"What would it mean to have truly public schools, down to the very means of resource creation and distribution that fuels them…what will it take to make school as public as possible?" @schooldaves.bsky.social asks in his new book.
Our conversation: www.humanrestorationproject.org/podcasts/aki...
Our conversation: www.humanrestorationproject.org/podcasts/aki...
November 8, 2025 at 12:47 PM
"What would it mean to have truly public schools, down to the very means of resource creation and distribution that fuels them…what will it take to make school as public as possible?" @schooldaves.bsky.social asks in his new book.
Our conversation: www.humanrestorationproject.org/podcasts/aki...
Our conversation: www.humanrestorationproject.org/podcasts/aki...
Reposted by david i. backer
Check out my conversation with @schooldaves.bsky.social as he challenges us to put our money where our mouth is in upholding our collective commitment to public education in the United States. 👇 #K12 #schoolfinance #highered
"What would it mean to have truly public schools, down to the very means of resource creation and distribution that fuels them…what will it take to make school as public as possible?" @schooldaves.bsky.social asks in his new book.
Our conversation: www.humanrestorationproject.org/podcasts/aki...
Our conversation: www.humanrestorationproject.org/podcasts/aki...
November 8, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Check out my conversation with @schooldaves.bsky.social as he challenges us to put our money where our mouth is in upholding our collective commitment to public education in the United States. 👇 #K12 #schoolfinance #highered