Silos, Acts, and Money
I'm definitely not Warren Zevon...
Another week has come and gone; this one included the annual ACT test-taking festivities for all our high school juniors (insert fake enthusiasm here) and a presentation at the annual Kentucky edtech conference. I presented some chunks of my research on virtual schools and how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) might help us solve some of the most pressing issues. Those session resources are available here if you want to check them out.
Here now, for your consideration, are this week’s “10 Things”…
10 Things Worth Sharing
1. Millions of students nationwide could lose access to free school meals under Republican budget proposals that slash food assistance in the name of cost-cutting. These changes would force schools to reinstate burdensome paperwork, increase food insecurity, and deepen inequality—despite research showing that universal meal programs boost attendance, academic performance, and student well-being. With 12 million children at risk, the question isn’t just about budgets—it’s about priorities.
2. A slew of people who never listened to Radiohead decided to listen to Creep. The results are as amazing as you think they should be.
Sidebar: The band acknowledges Creep for the anthem it is, but they don’t really like it much, saying that it limited their creativity. The iconic guitar ‘crunch’ leading into the chorus was guitarist Johnny Greenwood’s attempt to sabotage the song…
3. I finally got around to watching season 2 of Silo on Apple TV+. As with any book property converted to television or film, there are deviations from the book. But they don’t matter much, because the story and the acting are so good. It’s a show that I wish I could watch again for the first time. Spring Break time is here or very near; you’ve got time to slouch on the couch and devour this epic sci-fi show.
4. Speaking of taking time to do some things, while we are in the midst of a possible collapse of democracy in America (no, I’m not joking), you might wanna take some time and think about getting more political and causing a ruckus. Mariame Kaba has a zine on starting an activism or organizing plan you can print out to help you get started.
5. The release of ChatGPT in 2022 sparked a media frenzy predicting the demise of writing as we know it—high school English, the college essay, even human authorship itself. But after three years of working closely with English teachers navigating the AI wave, this PhD researcher sees a different story. Through conversations, collaboration, and critical reflection, educators have resisted tech-driven panic, shaping AI’s role in the classroom rather than being shaped by it. Writing isn’t dead—it’s evolving, and teachers are leading the way.
6. The Trump administration's draconian cuts to federal research funding are eviscerating America's scientific future. UMass Chan Medical School's unprecedented move to rescind all biomedical PhD admissions for 2025–26 is just the tip of the iceberg. Institutions like Duke and Vanderbilt are slashing admissions and freezing hires, while Columbia University reels from a $250 million funding termination. These reckless policies not only dismantle diversity initiatives but also cripple innovation, ceding global leadership in science to nations like China. The administration's assault on knowledge and progress threatens to set back medical advancements by decades, jeopardizing public health and economic stability.
7. In an era of political polarization and self-censorship on campus, two philosophers at Carnegie Mellon have created Sway—an AI-driven chat platform designed to help students engage in meaningful, constructive disagreement. Instead of avoiding contentious topics like abortion, gun control, or the Israel-Palestine conflict, Sway pairs students with opposing viewpoints and guides them through respectful, critical discussions. With built-in AI support that encourages clarity, intellectual humility, and fact-based reasoning, Sway proves that civil discourse isn’t dead—it just needs better scaffolding.
8. I love Ted Gioia’s work (I found a ton of great new musicians from this recent post), and apparently, he’s tamed the YouTube algorithm and found some gems. Here’s one very interesting one on a 70s genre’s influence on modern music:
9. As AI reshapes education, faculty seek ways to integrate it thoughtfully into their teaching. The University of Virginia’s new collection, Integrating AI into Assignments to Support Student Learning, offers real examples from educators experimenting with AI across disciplines. From AI-assisted critique to creative co-creation, these assignments move beyond hype and fear, demonstrating how AI can enhance—rather than replace—critical thinking and learning. Whether giving students free rein, guiding them through structured use, or encouraging them to challenge AI’s outputs, these assignments provide a roadmap for meaningful, ethical AI integration in the classroom.
10. Finally, science thrives on inquiry, but under authoritarian assault, its future is at risk. Government efforts to defund research, censor academic discourse, and intimidate universities threaten individual fields and the foundation of knowledge and progress. Like Tolkien’s Ents, academia has long been slow to act—but the destruction is now too vast to ignore. If scholars and institutions remain silent, critical research on climate change, inequality, public health, and more will be choked off by political and corporate interests. The time for passive observation is over. It’s time for the March of the Ents.
That’s it, gang. As always, thanks for reading and for keeping up the good fight when it seems like the world is crashing down around us.
Cyas,
MP