Judith Kafka
@judithkafka.bsky.social
Professor of Ed Policy and Hist of Ed @Baruch College and CUNY Grad Center. Dog owner, book lover, Brooklynite, she/her.
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.
November 16, 2025 at 11:34 PM
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.
Reposted by Judith Kafka
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...
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.
www.huffpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:35 PM
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...
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.
November 4, 2025 at 3:41 PM
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.
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.
November 4, 2025 at 1:48 PM
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'm at a mayoral debate watch party @marxe.baruch.cuny.edu and man are we laughing a lot!
October 17, 2025 at 12:24 AM
I'm at a mayoral debate watch party @marxe.baruch.cuny.edu and man are we laughing a lot!
I'm sorry to admit that it's somewhat gratifying to read this from folks at highly exclusive institutions.
I've been teaching at Princeton over the same period and the drop-off in reading stamina has been staggering.
I'm not sure of the cause -- some blame K-12 shifts to "chunk reading" while others pin it on COVID -- but it's undeniable.
I'm not sure of the cause -- some blame K-12 shifts to "chunk reading" while others pin it on COVID -- but it's undeniable.
July 15, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I'm sorry to admit that it's somewhat gratifying to read this from folks at highly exclusive institutions.
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.
NEW: In a record-breaking season for outside spending in a New York City election, the City Council saw the sharpest surge, driven by special interest groups and corporations pushing back on efforts to expand business regulations.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/07/02/o...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/07/02/o...
PAC Spending in Council Races More Than Doubled, Fueled by Money from DoorDash, Airbnb and Uber
Independent expenditures in City Council races surged to $14.3 million, a record sum.
www.thecity.nyc
July 2, 2025 at 8:33 PM
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.
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.
Gillibrand apologizes to Mamdani over ‘jihad’ comments - POLITICO
So I am glad Gillibrand apologized but she should really do so publicly, not privately, given her smear against him was done publicly, on live radio in fact.
So I am glad Gillibrand apologized but she should really do so publicly, not privately, given her smear against him was done publicly, on live radio in fact.
Gillibrand apologizes to Mamdani over ‘jihad’ comments
The New York senator was criticized for not defending the NYC mayoral candidate in a combative radio interview.
www.politico.com
July 1, 2025 at 11:46 PM
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.
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.
June 25, 2025 at 1:47 AM
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.
Again, as this article notes, Biden never actually reinstated the Obama-era guidelines that Trump is supposedly undoing here.
Trump signs orders to promote stricter school discipline, end analysis of racial disparities
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/04/24/trump-orders-stricter-school-discipline-less-focus-on-racial-disparities/
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/04/24/trump-orders-stricter-school-discipline-less-focus-on-racial-disparities/
Trump moves to keep schools from examining racial disparities in school discipline — again
The Trump administration said the orders promoting stricter school discipline and a reduced focus on racial disparities in suspensions and expulsions would make schools safer and give teachers more tools to maintain classroom behavior.
www.chalkbeat.org
April 24, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Again, as this article notes, Biden never actually reinstated the Obama-era guidelines that Trump is supposedly undoing here.
I mean this definitely makes getting rid of the DOE seem like a good idea...
Second, she was unwilling to say schools will not be penalized for teaching Black History. www.newamerica.org/education-po...
![Murphy, unconvinced by McMahon’s answer, pressed further. He asked bluntly how the ban would implicate funding for schools teaching African-American history. “What about educational programming centered around specific ethnic and racial identities?”, Murphy asked. “[You’re saying] there's a possibility that public schools that run African American history classes... could lose federal funding if they continue to teach African American history?"
Again, McMahon rebuffed the senator’s attempt to get a clear answer. "That's not what I'm saying, I'm saying I'd like to take a look at these programs and fully understand the breadth of the executive order and get back to you." In short, the nominee to run the Department of Education was unwilling to say schools will not be penalized for teaching Black History in ways that the administration does not want it taught.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4vkwol5raj4hnslvsqvmpiqw/bafkreid6hdwrbikjbrvszs7ieurxb7n3jagu4cslmoqxudtyia6fxfr33q@jpeg)
February 14, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I mean this definitely makes getting rid of the DOE seem like a good idea...
Just subscribed to my first substack.
@biblioracle.bsky.social and fellows at @aaup.bsky.social's Center for the Defense of Higher Education have published the first issue our newsletter "Academic Freedom on the Line." Come check it out. And subscribe. academicfreedomontheline.substack.com/p/introducin...
Introducing Academic Freedom on the Line
A newsletter published by fellows at the AAUP's Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom
academicfreedomontheline.substack.com
February 4, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Just subscribed to my first substack.
Reposted by Judith Kafka
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.
Affirmative Action rewards those who excel under harsh conditions.
The shit Trump is doing rewards Twitter trolls who lick his boots.
February 4, 2025 at 1:11 PM
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.
Affirmative Action rewards those who excel under harsh conditions.
The shit Trump is doing rewards Twitter trolls who lick his boots.
Reposted by Judith Kafka
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.
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.
February 3, 2025 at 12:34 PM
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.
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.
Reposted by Judith Kafka
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.
Trumps EO does not change anti discrimination law. If anything, the EO is unlawful.
Universities should treat it that way.
January 31, 2025 at 1:10 PM
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.
Trumps EO does not change anti discrimination law. If anything, the EO is unlawful.
Universities should treat it that way.
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.
February 3, 2025 at 2:17 PM
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.
Reposted by Judith Kafka
I was led to believe by R.E.M. that I would feel a lot better about this.
February 1, 2025 at 11:17 PM
I was led to believe by R.E.M. that I would feel a lot better about this.
Reposted by Judith Kafka
I want to spell out the basic reason it’s so dangerous for Elon to have control of the U.S. payments system. It may seem like a technical matter, but the dynamics are simple. 1/x
Elon Musk’s Team Now Has Access to Treasury’s Payments System
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave Mr. Musk’s representatives at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency a powerful tool to monitor and potentially limit government spending.
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I want to spell out the basic reason it’s so dangerous for Elon to have control of the U.S. payments system. It may seem like a technical matter, but the dynamics are simple. 1/x
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.
January 30, 2025 at 3:48 PM
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.
@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.
January 30, 2025 at 1:51 PM
@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.
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.
I know I speak from a position of privilege since I teach in the liberal state of California , but I hope teachers elsewhere can resist ‘anticipatory obedience ‘ ———With Sweeping Executive Orders, Trump Tests Local Control of Schools www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/u...
January 30, 2025 at 11:46 AM
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.
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/book/9781469...
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...
uncpress.org
January 13, 2025 at 4:15 PM
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/book/9781469...
I’m not usually a “this is a terrible headline” type person, but this was on the front page of my newspaper this morning. What the what?
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/a...
Anita Bryant, Whose Anti-Gay Politics Undid a Singing Career, Is Dead at 84
The former beauty queen and spokeswoman for Florida orange juice was an all-American entertainer before she began crusading against L.G.B.T.Q. rights.
www.nytimes.com
January 11, 2025 at 12:45 PM
I’m not usually a “this is a terrible headline” type person, but this was on the front page of my newspaper this morning. What the what?
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/a...
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.
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.
January 6, 2025 at 3:13 PM
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.
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.
January 6, 2025 at 2:38 AM
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.