Randy Richardson
@randy-richardson.bsky.social
Former teacher, ed tech consultant and retired union leader/staff reporting on all things education related. Currently working as an organizer for Iowans for Public Education.
Reposted by Randy Richardson
In my latest newsletter, I interview MI Secretary of State @jocelynbenson.bsky.social on her campaign for governor.
We covered JD Vance, why she’s been talking about public schools from the start, and building a democracy that works for people in their everyday lives.
We covered JD Vance, why she’s been talking about public schools from the start, and building a democracy that works for people in their everyday lives.
December 8, 2025 at 12:15 PM
In my latest newsletter, I interview MI Secretary of State @jocelynbenson.bsky.social on her campaign for governor.
We covered JD Vance, why she’s been talking about public schools from the start, and building a democracy that works for people in their everyday lives.
We covered JD Vance, why she’s been talking about public schools from the start, and building a democracy that works for people in their everyday lives.
Leaked DOJ memo shows AG Pam Bondi directing the FBI to create a list of Americans deemed potential “domestic extremists,” including those with “opposition to law and immigration enforcement,” “extreme views in favor of mass migration,” or “radical gender ideology." #Nixon Enemies List Redux
December 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Leaked DOJ memo shows AG Pam Bondi directing the FBI to create a list of Americans deemed potential “domestic extremists,” including those with “opposition to law and immigration enforcement,” “extreme views in favor of mass migration,” or “radical gender ideology." #Nixon Enemies List Redux
Thanks to every educator, parent & advocate fighting for inclusion this National Special Education Day!
50 years ago today, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was signed into law, but we must continue to push for adequate funding & resources! #eduaky
50 years ago today, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was signed into law, but we must continue to push for adequate funding & resources! #eduaky
December 3, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Thanks to every educator, parent & advocate fighting for inclusion this National Special Education Day!
50 years ago today, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was signed into law, but we must continue to push for adequate funding & resources! #eduaky
50 years ago today, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was signed into law, but we must continue to push for adequate funding & resources! #eduaky
The way you prop up a currency is by going and buying a bunch of it. “When you buy something, or when you bid on something, the price tends to go up,” Setser said.
That’s what the U.S. has been doing — in a very unusual move, by the way. Just buying Argentine pesos.
That’s what the U.S. has been doing — in a very unusual move, by the way. Just buying Argentine pesos.
Trump's plan to prop up Argentina's peso with U.S. tax dollars, explained
If it doesn’t work, the U.S. could be stuck with a bunch of pesos that aren’t worth very much.
www.marketplace.org
October 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The way you prop up a currency is by going and buying a bunch of it. “When you buy something, or when you bid on something, the price tends to go up,” Setser said.
That’s what the U.S. has been doing — in a very unusual move, by the way. Just buying Argentine pesos.
That’s what the U.S. has been doing — in a very unusual move, by the way. Just buying Argentine pesos.
Iowa's ruling party is bluffing its way through a budget mess
open.substack.com/pub/edtibbet...
open.substack.com/pub/edtibbet...
Iowa's ruling party is bluffing its way through a budget mess
It's time we called them on it
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Iowa's ruling party is bluffing its way through a budget mess
open.substack.com/pub/edtibbet...
open.substack.com/pub/edtibbet...
A new Guardian–Harris poll found that 75% of Americans say their household costs have risen by at least $100 a month despite Trump’s claims that inflation is “over,” with most blaming tariffs and government policies for continued price hikes
October 16, 2025 at 2:14 PM
A new Guardian–Harris poll found that 75% of Americans say their household costs have risen by at least $100 a month despite Trump’s claims that inflation is “over,” with most blaming tariffs and government policies for continued price hikes
We all value safety--but not military force unleashed in our streets. When the White House skews crime statistics to justify city takeovers, how does that keep us safe? We deserve proven protections, not political power plays. #TruthBrigade truthbrigade.indivisible.org/s/gcWmvehj
Know your rights!
truthbrigade.indivisible.org
October 10, 2025 at 9:21 PM
We all value safety--but not military force unleashed in our streets. When the White House skews crime statistics to justify city takeovers, how does that keep us safe? We deserve proven protections, not political power plays. #TruthBrigade truthbrigade.indivisible.org/s/gcWmvehj
Data from the Monitoring the Future survey showed that from 2021 to 2024, the percentage of eighth-graders using flavored vapes rose from 47% to 63%, while the percentage of 10th-graders grew from 41% to 53% and the percentage of 12th-graders increased from 36% to 50%. #edusky
October 3, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Data from the Monitoring the Future survey showed that from 2021 to 2024, the percentage of eighth-graders using flavored vapes rose from 47% to 63%, while the percentage of 10th-graders grew from 41% to 53% and the percentage of 12th-graders increased from 36% to 50%. #edusky
Stephen King is the most banned author in US schools, with 206 instances of his books being censored, according to a report from PEN America that tracks more than 6800 instances of books being temporarily or permanently pulled during the 2024-25 school yr. #edusky
October 2, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Stephen King is the most banned author in US schools, with 206 instances of his books being censored, according to a report from PEN America that tracks more than 6800 instances of books being temporarily or permanently pulled during the 2024-25 school yr. #edusky
Thanks to vouchers. Dowling Catholic High School is raising $76 million to expand, including building a new student union, parking and practice spaces. #edusky
October 2, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Thanks to vouchers. Dowling Catholic High School is raising $76 million to expand, including building a new student union, parking and practice spaces. #edusky
The US Dept of (In)Justice just announced they will investigate the Des Moines Public Schools over discriminatory hiring practices. This comes immediately after the district superintendent was detained by ICE. The Superintendent is resigning from the district. #edusky
Department of Justice to investigate alleged Des Moines Public Schools racial hiring quotas
The announcement comes days after Superintendent Ian Roberts was detained for possible deportation by ICE. Roberts is resigning from the district.
www.desmoinesregister.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:17 PM
The US Dept of (In)Justice just announced they will investigate the Des Moines Public Schools over discriminatory hiring practices. This comes immediately after the district superintendent was detained by ICE. The Superintendent is resigning from the district. #edusky
Teaching remains one of the lowest-paying jobs requiring a college degree, with salaries falling behind inflation—teachers now earn nearly $4000 less than 16 yrs ago. IA ranks 43rd in the nation and lags badly in pay, leaving teachers overworked, underpaid, and unsupported. #edusky
September 18, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Teaching remains one of the lowest-paying jobs requiring a college degree, with salaries falling behind inflation—teachers now earn nearly $4000 less than 16 yrs ago. IA ranks 43rd in the nation and lags badly in pay, leaving teachers overworked, underpaid, and unsupported. #edusky
US Dept of Ed will redirect fed grant money toward charter schools, civic education, HBCUs/tribal colleges, including $160 million for American History and Civics programs. Critics say it politicizes history and diverts resources from other essential education programs. #civics #edusky
September 17, 2025 at 1:56 PM
No one should have to fear sending their kids to school or going to public events. It’s time legislators to take action. Enough is enough! #GunReformNow
September 16, 2025 at 2:56 AM
No one should have to fear sending their kids to school or going to public events. It’s time legislators to take action. Enough is enough! #GunReformNow
New report from IL Economic Policy Inst and U of IL shows states protecting unions’ collective bargaining rights have seen growth in union membership and higher wages, while “right-to-work” states face union declines, lower pay, and higher discrimination complaints. #edusky
September 8, 2025 at 5:34 PM
New report from IL Economic Policy Inst and U of IL shows states protecting unions’ collective bargaining rights have seen growth in union membership and higher wages, while “right-to-work” states face union declines, lower pay, and higher discrimination complaints. #edusky
More Iowa schools have adopted a four-day school week—27 districts have adopted the shortened schedule this year, up from 18 last year. #edusky
August 29, 2025 at 11:36 PM
More Iowa schools have adopted a four-day school week—27 districts have adopted the shortened schedule this year, up from 18 last year. #edusky
Anyone else notice how expensive back-to-school shopping got this year? Thanks to the Trump tariffs that all four of Iowa’s representatives voted to protect, Iowans are paying more than ever.
August 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Anyone else notice how expensive back-to-school shopping got this year? Thanks to the Trump tariffs that all four of Iowa’s representatives voted to protect, Iowans are paying more than ever.
The future of public employees’ retirement is now under threat by Gov. Reynolds’ DOGE task force. 🚨🚨🚨
This Iowan believes that If our legislature can afford to fund vouchers & corporate tax cuts, they can support public workers! What
This Iowan believes that If our legislature can afford to fund vouchers & corporate tax cuts, they can support public workers! What
August 12, 2025 at 7:07 PM
The future of public employees’ retirement is now under threat by Gov. Reynolds’ DOGE task force. 🚨🚨🚨
This Iowan believes that If our legislature can afford to fund vouchers & corporate tax cuts, they can support public workers! What
This Iowan believes that If our legislature can afford to fund vouchers & corporate tax cuts, they can support public workers! What
Victory Against Private School Vouchers in Wyoming pfps.org/victory-agai... #edusky
Victory Against Private School Vouchers in Wyoming
pfps.org
August 7, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Victory Against Private School Vouchers in Wyoming pfps.org/victory-agai... #edusky
What a horrible headline...and then no mention of his employment in the story. apnews.com/article/arka... #edusky
Teacher who admitted to killing couple on a hike with their kids in Arkansas set to appear in court
A teacher who authorities say admitted to fatally stabbing a couple he didn’t know who were hiking with two of their children in an Arkansas state park is expected to have his first court appearance.
apnews.com
August 1, 2025 at 12:12 PM
What a horrible headline...and then no mention of his employment in the story. apnews.com/article/arka... #edusky
Alaska’s payment error rate was four times Iowa’s. Yet, Iowa faces the possibility of being punished first, and not a single member of Congress from this state is objecting. They actually voted for it
open.substack.com/pub/edtibbet...
open.substack.com/pub/edtibbet...
How Iowa Republicans are rewarding waste
And we may pay the price
open.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Alaska’s payment error rate was four times Iowa’s. Yet, Iowa faces the possibility of being punished first, and not a single member of Congress from this state is objecting. They actually voted for it
open.substack.com/pub/edtibbet...
open.substack.com/pub/edtibbet...
Legal group files brief to support blocking law banning books from Iowa K-12 schools iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/28/l... #edusky
Legal group files brief to support blocking law banning books from Iowa K-12 schools • Iowa Capital Dispatch
The Iowa law banning books with depictions of sex acts is unconstitutional, PEN America advocates argued in the legal brief.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
July 29, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Legal group files brief to support blocking law banning books from Iowa K-12 schools iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/28/l... #edusky
U of AR study found that effectiveness of 4-day school wks for teacher recruitment and retention diminishes as more districts adopt the schedule. While teachers in 4-day districts are 28% more likely to stay, the competitive advantage fades when neighboring districts also shorten their wks. #edusky
July 24, 2025 at 4:13 PM
U of AR study found that effectiveness of 4-day school wks for teacher recruitment and retention diminishes as more districts adopt the schedule. While teachers in 4-day districts are 28% more likely to stay, the competitive advantage fades when neighboring districts also shorten their wks. #edusky