Beth H
@springers1.bsky.social
Retired. Former state bureaucrat, school psychologist and current chicken keeper. Love my two springer spaniels, reading and genealogy.
This is the best analysis I’ve read of this moment in history. It feels like this is where the Democratic Party is right now and it seems that it’s historical/political and social moments like the current one, that challenge which of these perspectives we are.
October 1, 2025 at 6:52 PM
This is the best analysis I’ve read of this moment in history. It feels like this is where the Democratic Party is right now and it seems that it’s historical/political and social moments like the current one, that challenge which of these perspectives we are.
Books are helping me get through this. It’s getting harder to finds books scarier than real life. Preordered Staircase in the Woods and looking forward to reading it!
March 17, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Books are helping me get through this. It’s getting harder to finds books scarier than real life. Preordered Staircase in the Woods and looking forward to reading it!
I sent a message to the DNC. They keep sending me fund raising requests. I wanted them to know why I was no longer donating. Money seems to speak to politicians.
March 6, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I sent a message to the DNC. They keep sending me fund raising requests. I wanted them to know why I was no longer donating. Money seems to speak to politicians.
So much of the work of state and federal employees is behind the scenes. Everyone wants “small government” until they need something.
November 24, 2024 at 12:58 PM
So much of the work of state and federal employees is behind the scenes. Everyone wants “small government” until they need something.
If you read this far, thanks. What are your thoughts?
November 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
If you read this far, thanks. What are your thoughts?
States very differently meaning services for special ed children may vary by state. I also worry that federal funds could be allocated, by states, for religious Ed in public schools or for “patriotism classes” maybe even used as a grant for Brett Favre to build another building.
November 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
States very differently meaning services for special ed children may vary by state. I also worry that federal funds could be allocated, by states, for religious Ed in public schools or for “patriotism classes” maybe even used as a grant for Brett Favre to build another building.
Does urban. (I’m new at this thread posting.) the push here for private school vouchers will also likely impact rural communities. For profit schools are not likely going to rural areas. Not enough money to be made there. Also very few church schools in rural areas. So this will impact
November 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
Does urban. (I’m new at this thread posting.) the push here for private school vouchers will also likely impact rural communities. For profit schools are not likely going to rural areas. Not enough money to be made there. Also very few church schools in rural areas. So this will impact
And just some additional thoughts. Title 1 funds are an item considered on the chopping block. I think there is a misperception that these go primarily to cities (blue enclaves) but these funds are for districts with high levels of poverty. This will effect rural school districts as much as it
November 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
And just some additional thoughts. Title 1 funds are an item considered on the chopping block. I think there is a misperception that these go primarily to cities (blue enclaves) but these funds are for districts with high levels of poverty. This will effect rural school districts as much as it
From DOE to implement these grants. So if the department is gone who will ensure the appropriated funds are sent to the states and who will monitor the states to ensure the funds are being spent on the required activities?
November 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
From DOE to implement these grants. So if the department is gone who will ensure the appropriated funds are sent to the states and who will monitor the states to ensure the funds are being spent on the required activities?
School counselors, school social workers and school psychologists. These funds are appropriated by Congress for these grants. Without the DOE I’m not sure how these grants will continue. During the last Trump admin, the federal grant staff was very thin. This meant states received far less support
November 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
School counselors, school social workers and school psychologists. These funds are appropriated by Congress for these grants. Without the DOE I’m not sure how these grants will continue. During the last Trump admin, the federal grant staff was very thin. This meant states received far less support
And school climate. These dollars are sent to states to support local school districts. These grants pay for teacher training, parent engagement, curriculum materials and even support additional staff in schools. Staff school districts would not be able to afford on their own.
November 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
And school climate. These dollars are sent to states to support local school districts. These grants pay for teacher training, parent engagement, curriculum materials and even support additional staff in schools. Staff school districts would not be able to afford on their own.
3. Competitive grants. DOE and other agencies conduct grant competitions, inviting state agencies to apply for funds. These are specific in nature. These funds support innovative practices for academic programs but also for practices that support student mental health and wellness
November 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
3. Competitive grants. DOE and other agencies conduct grant competitions, inviting state agencies to apply for funds. These are specific in nature. These funds support innovative practices for academic programs but also for practices that support student mental health and wellness
Without oversight parents of special ed children may have no ability to file a complaint or receive an investigation. Special education is expensive and in my state the Republican legislature has been reducing funding for public education.
November 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
Without oversight parents of special ed children may have no ability to file a complaint or receive an investigation. Special education is expensive and in my state the Republican legislature has been reducing funding for public education.
2. Oversight. In order to receive the funds states are required to follow federal laws. Think IDEA/special ed laws. Without oversight by the federal agency states may be able to do whatever they want with the funds. Who will stop them? In my state I think about private voucher programs.
November 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
2. Oversight. In order to receive the funds states are required to follow federal laws. Think IDEA/special ed laws. Without oversight by the federal agency states may be able to do whatever they want with the funds. Who will stop them? In my state I think about private voucher programs.
There are more uncertain things and much will depend upon your state. Some of these “uncertain things” are in no particular order:
1. Threats of huge budget cuts (2trillion?) will most certainly include cuts to DOE budget items. Less money to states.
1. Threats of huge budget cuts (2trillion?) will most certainly include cuts to DOE budget items. Less money to states.
November 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
There are more uncertain things and much will depend upon your state. Some of these “uncertain things” are in no particular order:
1. Threats of huge budget cuts (2trillion?) will most certainly include cuts to DOE budget items. Less money to states.
1. Threats of huge budget cuts (2trillion?) will most certainly include cuts to DOE budget items. Less money to states.
People determine how much states will received based upon congressional allocations and formulas. People ensure states get the funds.
November 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
People determine how much states will received based upon congressional allocations and formulas. People ensure states get the funds.
There are certainties and there are unknowns. This will be chaotic. Most people don’t know what employees of DOE do. Sending the funds to the states still requires people. The funds are allocated, by law, and are often formula based.
November 21, 2024 at 3:49 PM
There are certainties and there are unknowns. This will be chaotic. Most people don’t know what employees of DOE do. Sending the funds to the states still requires people. The funds are allocated, by law, and are often formula based.
In theory. But without a dept of ed there is no oversight, or monitoring. There will be no federal process (with any teeth) for parents to file complaints and receive an investigation. State Ed departments won’t have the funding to take over the oversight function of the federal law.
November 20, 2024 at 11:29 PM
In theory. But without a dept of ed there is no oversight, or monitoring. There will be no federal process (with any teeth) for parents to file complaints and receive an investigation. State Ed departments won’t have the funding to take over the oversight function of the federal law.
Reposted by Beth H
there's two things I would have used to frame this instead.
1) the presence and protection of rapists are a symptom of institutional corruption;
2) today's Republican cultural values and authoritarianism largely overlap with common characteristics of sexual abusers
1) the presence and protection of rapists are a symptom of institutional corruption;
2) today's Republican cultural values and authoritarianism largely overlap with common characteristics of sexual abusers
November 19, 2024 at 10:16 PM
there's two things I would have used to frame this instead.
1) the presence and protection of rapists are a symptom of institutional corruption;
2) today's Republican cultural values and authoritarianism largely overlap with common characteristics of sexual abusers
1) the presence and protection of rapists are a symptom of institutional corruption;
2) today's Republican cultural values and authoritarianism largely overlap with common characteristics of sexual abusers
Apparently Amazon was selling merchandise with Your body my choice on it. They removed it after multiple complaints.
November 11, 2024 at 9:21 PM
Apparently Amazon was selling merchandise with Your body my choice on it. They removed it after multiple complaints.