Lois Weiner
@drloisweiner.bsky.social
Career teacher, education prof, teacher union activist. Researcher, writer, in the struggle for social justice, union democracy. Socialist. https://loisweiner.net/ and https://futureschools.substack.com/
No wonder authoritarians hate libraries and librarians. BFFs of democracy!
Sometimes I think it’s going to be the librarians who will save us all.
November 25, 2025 at 3:16 PM
No wonder authoritarians hate libraries and librarians. BFFs of democracy!
Reposted by Lois Weiner
Where I work, grad student enrollment in Engineering and Business is down 70% and 40%, respectively.
Now, to cover the loss in revenue from these Departments, the rest of the colleges have to take MASSIVE hits. History Dept alone has cut/closed 6 TT lines. Forget about raises or salary equity. 🫠
Now, to cover the loss in revenue from these Departments, the rest of the colleges have to take MASSIVE hits. History Dept alone has cut/closed 6 TT lines. Forget about raises or salary equity. 🫠
Enrollment by international students from China dropped by 3 percent, from India by 4 percent, and enrollment from students from Mexico has flatlined. Here are the likely consequences for Texas' education and economy:
The High Cost of Targeting International Students in Texas
The Trump administration’s bans and airport detentions are derailing the academic dreams of students who carry out important research—and sometimes pay hefty tuition—to attend Texas institutions.
www.texasobserver.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Where I work, grad student enrollment in Engineering and Business is down 70% and 40%, respectively.
Now, to cover the loss in revenue from these Departments, the rest of the colleges have to take MASSIVE hits. History Dept alone has cut/closed 6 TT lines. Forget about raises or salary equity. 🫠
Now, to cover the loss in revenue from these Departments, the rest of the colleges have to take MASSIVE hits. History Dept alone has cut/closed 6 TT lines. Forget about raises or salary equity. 🫠
Story captures the importance of using the courts and understanding strategy's limitation. SCOTUS can always get the final vote.
This month, federal troops were deployed to Democratic-led cities throughout North Carolina, even as a federal judge ruled the administration’s 30-day takeover of Washington, D.C., this summer was unlawful. https://capitalbnews.org/trump-national-guard-city-updates/
A City-by-City Breakdown of Trump’s Immigration Raids and Troop Deployments
The Trump administration has deployed federal troops into at least nine cities, and there are no signs of a slowdown.
capitalbnews.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Story captures the importance of using the courts and understanding strategy's limitation. SCOTUS can always get the final vote.
ICYMI: Racism and AI. Talking evidence and truth. m.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
Howard University AI Panel
YouTube video by Tiera Tanksley
m.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:07 PM
ICYMI: Racism and AI. Talking evidence and truth. m.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
In print Bari Weiss is frustratingly pseudo-intellectual. Limited and primitive. On video she's just embarrassing. As they said in vaudeville, get the hook!
The new editor of CBS News thinks that Alan Dershowitz and Dana Loesch debating the 2nd Amendment is “news.”
So, pour one out tonight for the actual journalists at CBS who have to listen to this drivel in the am news meeting
(She also says Dersh is “charismatic,” but that’s the lesser horror)
1/2
So, pour one out tonight for the actual journalists at CBS who have to listen to this drivel in the am news meeting
(She also says Dersh is “charismatic,” but that’s the lesser horror)
1/2
November 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM
In print Bari Weiss is frustratingly pseudo-intellectual. Limited and primitive. On video she's just embarrassing. As they said in vaudeville, get the hook!
Reposted by Lois Weiner
Also weird how opponents of the Mamdani plan have never heard of the Circulators in DC and Baltimore.
Buses have been free in Tucson for years now. City check: still standing.
Well, well, well, imagine this:
Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
November 25, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Also weird how opponents of the Mamdani plan have never heard of the Circulators in DC and Baltimore.
Reposted by Lois Weiner
Earlier this month, lawsuits brought against OpenAI suggested the potential of ChatGPT to cause serious mental health harms in users.
In light of these cases, the Cal State U system must not continue providing ChatGPT to students.
My opinion essay in @insidehighered.com today
In light of these cases, the Cal State U system must not continue providing ChatGPT to students.
My opinion essay in @insidehighered.com today
November 25, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Earlier this month, lawsuits brought against OpenAI suggested the potential of ChatGPT to cause serious mental health harms in users.
In light of these cases, the Cal State U system must not continue providing ChatGPT to students.
My opinion essay in @insidehighered.com today
In light of these cases, the Cal State U system must not continue providing ChatGPT to students.
My opinion essay in @insidehighered.com today
File under "You can't make this stuff up."
November 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
File under "You can't make this stuff up."
Reposted by Lois Weiner
HPV Vaccination Tied to Huge Reduction in Cervical Cancer Risk www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyon...
HPV Vaccination Tied to Huge Reduction in Cervical Cancer Risk
Two large meta-analyses reassure on safety, efficacy
www.medpagetoday.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:25 PM
HPV Vaccination Tied to Huge Reduction in Cervical Cancer Risk www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyon...
If you're doing research on neoliberal money in US education, who's spending it on what and why, please share your work! Includes but not limited to charter schools, public private partnerships, tech (surveillance, testing), and of course AI.
November 24, 2025 at 2:38 PM
If you're doing research on neoliberal money in US education, who's spending it on what and why, please share your work! Includes but not limited to charter schools, public private partnerships, tech (surveillance, testing), and of course AI.
Reposted by Lois Weiner
Friends, it's time to beat my #TaxTheRich drum again.
As Zohran showed yesterday, he knows how to charm. To pass his agenda, he'll need to charm Governor Hochul as well.
OUR approach to Hochul, however, must be different: big, loud, and unyielding.
Join us in the field on Dec 13.
taxtherichny.com
As Zohran showed yesterday, he knows how to charm. To pass his agenda, he'll need to charm Governor Hochul as well.
OUR approach to Hochul, however, must be different: big, loud, and unyielding.
Join us in the field on Dec 13.
taxtherichny.com
Tax The Rich - New York - Home
Together, we can Tax the Rich in New York State and create a better future for everyone, not just the ultra-wealthy. Join our movement.
taxtherichny.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Friends, it's time to beat my #TaxTheRich drum again.
As Zohran showed yesterday, he knows how to charm. To pass his agenda, he'll need to charm Governor Hochul as well.
OUR approach to Hochul, however, must be different: big, loud, and unyielding.
Join us in the field on Dec 13.
taxtherichny.com
As Zohran showed yesterday, he knows how to charm. To pass his agenda, he'll need to charm Governor Hochul as well.
OUR approach to Hochul, however, must be different: big, loud, and unyielding.
Join us in the field on Dec 13.
taxtherichny.com
Excellent resource, as well as info in the replies.
You think LLM-based chatbots can help students learn? Think again.
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
Howard University AI Panel
YouTube video by Tiera Tanksley
www.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Excellent resource, as well as info in the replies.
Reposted by Lois Weiner
Finally something on this argument current and future school teachers keep throwing at me - no, underserved groups are not currently or ever going to benefit from LLMs.
They love to say it's a way to help underserved groups of children too. Extra scary.
Forbes, S. H. & Guest, O. (2025). To Improve Literacy, Improve Equality in Education, Not Large Language Models. Cognitive Science. doi.org/10.1111/cogs...
PDF: philpapers.org/archive/FORT...
Forbes, S. H. & Guest, O. (2025). To Improve Literacy, Improve Equality in Education, Not Large Language Models. Cognitive Science. doi.org/10.1111/cogs...
PDF: philpapers.org/archive/FORT...
To Improve Literacy, Improve Equality in Education, Not Large Language Models
Huettig and Christiansen in an earlier issue argue that large language models (LLMs) are beneficial to address declining cognitive skills, such as literacy, through combating imbalances in educationa....
doi.org
November 23, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Finally something on this argument current and future school teachers keep throwing at me - no, underserved groups are not currently or ever going to benefit from LLMs.
Note the new "Connections to productivity tools like Canva, Google Drive, and Microsoft 365" (aka ways to collect data, privatize and control education) and so much more that's terrible in OpenAI's free ChatGPT for teachers: thejournal.com/articles/202...
OpenAI Unveils ChatGPT for Teachers -- THE Journal
OpenAI has introduced a free version of ChatGPT for teachers, aimed at providing a secure workspace to adapt classroom materials, streamline prep, collaborate with peers, and more.
thejournal.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Note the new "Connections to productivity tools like Canva, Google Drive, and Microsoft 365" (aka ways to collect data, privatize and control education) and so much more that's terrible in OpenAI's free ChatGPT for teachers: thejournal.com/articles/202...
You can sign the open letter here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/st...
November 23, 2025 at 12:49 AM
You can sign the open letter here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/st...
Reposted by Lois Weiner
All wound up and ready for week 2 of our national ULP strike‼️ While we’re fighting for better pay, better staffing and an end to union- busting, we’re asking everyone NOT TO BUY STARBUCKS products anywhere until our strike is resolved! Visit nocontractnocoffee.org for info✊
November 22, 2025 at 9:26 PM
All wound up and ready for week 2 of our national ULP strike‼️ While we’re fighting for better pay, better staffing and an end to union- busting, we’re asking everyone NOT TO BUY STARBUCKS products anywhere until our strike is resolved! Visit nocontractnocoffee.org for info✊
Reposted by Lois Weiner
Oh wait! Figured out how to get rid of the garbage Gemini button in Chrome:
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!
November 22, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Oh wait! Figured out how to get rid of the garbage Gemini button in Chrome:
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!
Delighted every time the @aflcio.org reminds us to "buy union" and tells us how. It's our answer to MAGA/GOP "buy American," which encourages a race to the bottom.
Set your table with union-made products this Thanksgiving! 🦃
Buying union-made this Thanksgiving season supports dignified jobs that offer workers good wages, healthcare, and a voice on the job. ✊
View more union-made products: aflcio.org/union-thanksgiving
#WeAreCTA #Solidarity
Buying union-made this Thanksgiving season supports dignified jobs that offer workers good wages, healthcare, and a voice on the job. ✊
View more union-made products: aflcio.org/union-thanksgiving
#WeAreCTA #Solidarity
November 23, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Delighted every time the @aflcio.org reminds us to "buy union" and tells us how. It's our answer to MAGA/GOP "buy American," which encourages a race to the bottom.
Horrifying! But faculty are standing up: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Federal Suit Seeking Names of Some Jewish Employees at Penn Sparks Backlash
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Horrifying! But faculty are standing up: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Shows when Democrats hold fast to principles of equality, social and economic, they can give the Right a run for its (unbelievably massive) money. Why we can't shirk from making Hakeem Jeffries face a progressive alternative in the primary.
The Tennessee race that suddenly has Trump world nervous www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The Tennessee race that suddenly has Trump world nervous
Democrat Aftyn Behn is putting up a fight.
www.motherjones.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Shows when Democrats hold fast to principles of equality, social and economic, they can give the Right a run for its (unbelievably massive) money. Why we can't shirk from making Hakeem Jeffries face a progressive alternative in the primary.
Reminds me of what one sees on Buenos Aires sidewalks, marking the sites of "Detenidos Desaparecidos." Facing where we are in the US under Trump.
November 22, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Reminds me of what one sees on Buenos Aires sidewalks, marking the sites of "Detenidos Desaparecidos." Facing where we are in the US under Trump.
Report is easy to read, has excellent policy proposals. Wish it took on public/private partnerships, which loot public coffers but are accepted by Dems. Other question is how will we make it happen? We need strategy to fight smart.
The largest wealth transfer in U.S. history is happening right now, taking from and harming Black, brown, and poor communities while lining the pockets of the ultra-rich.
ACRE’s new report describes how states can fight back and win the futures they deserve.
ACRE’s new report describes how states can fight back and win the futures they deserve.
Pay Us What You Owe Us - Action Center on Race and the Economy
Pay Us What You Owe Us: Concrete State Solutions to Re-Fund Our Communities We are in the midst of what many are deeming the largest transfer of wealth in U.S. history from Black, brown and poor commu...
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Report is easy to read, has excellent policy proposals. Wish it took on public/private partnerships, which loot public coffers but are accepted by Dems. Other question is how will we make it happen? We need strategy to fight smart.
Reposted by Lois Weiner
I'm not sure how Vance has time for podcasts. He took eight vacations in his first seven months as vice president in 2025, which included trips to Vermont, Greenland, Italy, India, Disneyland, Nantucket, Ohio, and the Cotswolds, England. I hear he was just on a sofa shopping expedition.
Has JD Vance done anything as VP besides go on podcasts and complain?
November 21, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I'm not sure how Vance has time for podcasts. He took eight vacations in his first seven months as vice president in 2025, which included trips to Vermont, Greenland, Italy, India, Disneyland, Nantucket, Ohio, and the Cotswolds, England. I hear he was just on a sofa shopping expedition.
Reposted by Lois Weiner
Yes. If I wear a suit I won't notice that there's no legroom anymore. Or that the airline now charges me for every item. Or that they cut flight attendant staffing to the bare minimum. Or that the airlines bribed Trump to scuttle rules that gave passengers a tiny bit of power when airlines fuck up
Trump's Transportation Secretary on how to improve air travel:
"People dress up like they're going to bed when they fly... We want to push people as we come into a really busy travel season, help people out, be in a good mood, dress up"
"People dress up like they're going to bed when they fly... We want to push people as we come into a really busy travel season, help people out, be in a good mood, dress up"
November 20, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Yes. If I wear a suit I won't notice that there's no legroom anymore. Or that the airline now charges me for every item. Or that they cut flight attendant staffing to the bare minimum. Or that the airlines bribed Trump to scuttle rules that gave passengers a tiny bit of power when airlines fuck up