Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
@tracyesmith.bsky.social
Retired public school administrator. Always a public school advocate, focusing on educational equity issues: literacy, technology, and public school funding. Wife, mom, and lifelong learner. #edleadership
Pinned
America’s Founders Recognized the Need for Public Education. Democracy Requires Maintaining That Commitment
America’s education story is ultimately a story of the tension between the idea that the nation’s democracy rests on the foundation of education and the inability to ever fully deliver on that commitm...
time.com
"Education, like democracy, has long been a work in progress. But that progress has come by remaining fixed on our fundamental ideas, not questioning them because of our failures to reach them—and certainly not replacing them with something else." time.com/5891261/earl... @derekwblack.bsky.social
The habits of 7 highly effective schools hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
The habits of 7 highly effective schools
Nonprofit counts more than 1,300 U.S. schools where students beat the odds
hechingerreport.org
September 6, 2025 at 11:50 PM
The habits of 7 highly effective schools hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
“...thirty percent of Americans read at a level that you would expect from a 10-year-old child.” He continued, “It is actually hard to imagine — that every third person you meet on the street has difficulties reading even simple things.” David Brooks via @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/o...
Opinion | The Stupidity of the Tariffs Are the Achievement of a Lifetime
Maybe we’re just not good at thinking anymore.
www.nytimes.com
April 11, 2025 at 1:24 PM
“...thirty percent of Americans read at a level that you would expect from a 10-year-old child.” He continued, “It is actually hard to imagine — that every third person you meet on the street has difficulties reading even simple things.” David Brooks via @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/o...
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
Very proud of the work @repmcneill.com is doing to keep our kids safe.
www.lehighvalleynews.com/school-news/...
www.lehighvalleynews.com/school-news/...
Carbon monoxide bill inspired by Allentown day care incident clears state House
State Rep. Jeanne McNeill has sponsored a bill that would address the need for carbon monoxide detectors in child care and family care centers. An incident at an Allentown day care in 2022 sparked the...
www.lehighvalleynews.com
April 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Very proud of the work @repmcneill.com is doing to keep our kids safe.
www.lehighvalleynews.com/school-news/...
www.lehighvalleynews.com/school-news/...
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
“They were careless people…they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness…and let other people clean up the mess they had made…” -- F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (April 10, 1925).
April 10, 2025 at 12:16 PM
“They were careless people…they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness…and let other people clean up the mess they had made…” -- F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (April 10, 1925).
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
The U.S is the wealthiest country in the history of the world. We should not have the highest rate of child poverty of nearly every major country on earth. We should have the lowest.
It's time to end this international embarrassment & create an economy that works for all.
It's time to end this international embarrassment & create an economy that works for all.
April 1, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The U.S is the wealthiest country in the history of the world. We should not have the highest rate of child poverty of nearly every major country on earth. We should have the lowest.
It's time to end this international embarrassment & create an economy that works for all.
It's time to end this international embarrassment & create an economy that works for all.
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
(1/4) Strong leadership means taking risks and trying things - but when it doesn’t work, realising your mistake and correcting it. Quickly.
April 4, 2025 at 2:32 PM
(1/4) Strong leadership means taking risks and trying things - but when it doesn’t work, realising your mistake and correcting it. Quickly.
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
There are 33m companies in the USA. Only 21k employe 500 or more. And they only make up 23% of workers.
Trump and Elon are ignoring the more than 32m entrepreneurs that can't afford to build a new factory or pay tariffs or absorb cancelled contracts.
Trump and Elon are ignoring the more than 32m entrepreneurs that can't afford to build a new factory or pay tariffs or absorb cancelled contracts.
April 4, 2025 at 1:57 PM
There are 33m companies in the USA. Only 21k employe 500 or more. And they only make up 23% of workers.
Trump and Elon are ignoring the more than 32m entrepreneurs that can't afford to build a new factory or pay tariffs or absorb cancelled contracts.
Trump and Elon are ignoring the more than 32m entrepreneurs that can't afford to build a new factory or pay tariffs or absorb cancelled contracts.
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
Sold a Story has a new mini-series. We found a high-poverty school district where nearly every kid can read well. They’ve been teaching the same way for 25 years. But a new law, inspired by our reporting, put that at risk. All three podcast episodes are out now.
What if I told you that in a small, rust belt city, where abandoned buildings line the streets, kids are doing better in reading than in some of the richest school districts in America? www.youtube.com/shorts/KsBNf...
The Outlier: Steubenville, Ohio
YouTube video by APM Reports
www.youtube.com
March 11, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Sold a Story has a new mini-series. We found a high-poverty school district where nearly every kid can read well. They’ve been teaching the same way for 25 years. But a new law, inspired by our reporting, put that at risk. All three podcast episodes are out now.
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
Over the last few weeks, we have seen displays of unfettered cruelty.
Cruelty isn’t power. It’s a primal display of weakness and ignorance.
Kindness and empathy are intelligence. We must never forget that.
Cruelty isn’t power. It’s a primal display of weakness and ignorance.
Kindness and empathy are intelligence. We must never forget that.
March 10, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Over the last few weeks, we have seen displays of unfettered cruelty.
Cruelty isn’t power. It’s a primal display of weakness and ignorance.
Kindness and empathy are intelligence. We must never forget that.
Cruelty isn’t power. It’s a primal display of weakness and ignorance.
Kindness and empathy are intelligence. We must never forget that.
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
For Women's History Month, may we all remember and summon the courage of Rachel Carson, who wrote Silent Spring to inform the world what DDT was doing to the songbirds, raptors,and by extension, us. While battling cancer, she stood her ground against savage attacks by the chemical industry...
March 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
For Women's History Month, may we all remember and summon the courage of Rachel Carson, who wrote Silent Spring to inform the world what DDT was doing to the songbirds, raptors,and by extension, us. While battling cancer, she stood her ground against savage attacks by the chemical industry...
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
Helpful @nytimes.com data analysis today on the impact of Medicaid. Cutting this program would hurt many Americans, including millions of children.
March 10, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Helpful @nytimes.com data analysis today on the impact of Medicaid. Cutting this program would hurt many Americans, including millions of children.
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
"We may lose one of the most vital services that actually kept us safe in 2024 and kept our elections moving," Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said about cuts to a federal cybersecurity agency that helps safeguard elections.
Election Officials Say Cuts to CISA Are Already Affecting Operations
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
March 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
"We may lose one of the most vital services that actually kept us safe in 2024 and kept our elections moving," Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said about cuts to a federal cybersecurity agency that helps safeguard elections.
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
The average household will pay around $1,800 from Trump’s tariffs, but the poorest Americans will be shelling out the largest share of their incomes.
My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart
My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart
March 5, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The average household will pay around $1,800 from Trump’s tariffs, but the poorest Americans will be shelling out the largest share of their incomes.
My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart
My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart
Happy Read Across America Day! Thanks to @realdollyparton.bsky.social and her Imagination Library, a free book-gifting program that mails children books to their homes monthly from birth to age 5. One out of every 7 children in America now has access to this program. imaginationlibrary.com/usa/
March 2, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Happy Read Across America Day! Thanks to @realdollyparton.bsky.social and her Imagination Library, a free book-gifting program that mails children books to their homes monthly from birth to age 5. One out of every 7 children in America now has access to this program. imaginationlibrary.com/usa/
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
Whenever you welcome guests, treat them with kindness, grace and respect. Simple as that.
February 28, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Whenever you welcome guests, treat them with kindness, grace and respect. Simple as that.
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
12: The Evidence
Podcast Episode · Sold a Story · S1 E12 · 31m
podcasts.apple.com
February 27, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
During WWII, four brothers from the same Jewish family signed up to fight against the Nazis. Only one of the four brothers survived.
His grandson is the current President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sláva Ukrayíni!
His grandson is the current President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sláva Ukrayíni!
February 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
During WWII, four brothers from the same Jewish family signed up to fight against the Nazis. Only one of the four brothers survived.
His grandson is the current President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sláva Ukrayíni!
His grandson is the current President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sláva Ukrayíni!
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
A new episode of Sold a Story is available now.
Episode 11: The Outlier
There's a school district in eastern Ohio where virtually all students become good readers by the time they finish third grade. How did they do it? podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
Episode 11: The Outlier
There's a school district in eastern Ohio where virtually all students become good readers by the time they finish third grade. How did they do it? podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
11: The Outlier
Podcast Episode · Sold a Story · S1 E11 · 31m
podcasts.apple.com
February 20, 2025 at 11:59 AM
A new episode of Sold a Story is available now.
Episode 11: The Outlier
There's a school district in eastern Ohio where virtually all students become good readers by the time they finish third grade. How did they do it? podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
Episode 11: The Outlier
There's a school district in eastern Ohio where virtually all students become good readers by the time they finish third grade. How did they do it? podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
My best investment advice
February 20, 2025 at 2:37 PM
My best investment advice
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
Federal leadership in education, “more than once, has helped transform our democracy for the better…Founders like Washington, Adams, & Jefferson would be confused by the current administration’s disdain for public ed & the federal government’s role in it.”
slate.com/news-and-pol...
slate.com/news-and-pol...
Trump Wants to Abolish the Department of Education. The Founders Would Have Something to Say About That.
From the very start, the founders and Congress knew that schools were federal business.
slate.com
February 6, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Federal leadership in education, “more than once, has helped transform our democracy for the better…Founders like Washington, Adams, & Jefferson would be confused by the current administration’s disdain for public ed & the federal government’s role in it.”
slate.com/news-and-pol...
slate.com/news-and-pol...
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
Presidents Day, observed on the third Monday of February, honors U.S. presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Initially celebrating Washington's birth, it now serves as a time to remember and study all American presidents.
https://buff.ly/41cjsiQ
#teachersky #edusky
https://buff.ly/41cjsiQ
#teachersky #edusky
Virtual Field Trips for Presidents Day – TCEA TechNotes Blog
Explore the history and impact of the nation's chief executives through innovative virtual field trips as we celebrate Presidents Day this year. Explore this and more at TCEA TechNotes Blog, your…
buff.ly
February 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Presidents Day, observed on the third Monday of February, honors U.S. presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Initially celebrating Washington's birth, it now serves as a time to remember and study all American presidents.
https://buff.ly/41cjsiQ
#teachersky #edusky
https://buff.ly/41cjsiQ
#teachersky #edusky
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
A federal judge has restricted the Elon Musk-led government efficiency team from accessing a critical Treasury Department payment system. The order, issued early Saturday, halts access temporarily and demands the destruction of any downloaded information, saying there is risk of “irreparable harm.”
Federal judge blocks Elon Musk’s DOGE access to critical Treasury payment system | CNN Politics
A federal judge, citing a risk of “irreparable harm,” early Saturday temporarily restricted Elon Musk’s government efficiency team from accessing a critical Treasury Department payment system.
www.cnn.com
February 8, 2025 at 1:38 PM
A federal judge has restricted the Elon Musk-led government efficiency team from accessing a critical Treasury Department payment system. The order, issued early Saturday, halts access temporarily and demands the destruction of any downloaded information, saying there is risk of “irreparable harm.”
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
NSA museum covered plaques honoring women and people of color, provoking an uproar
www.npr.org/2025/02/05/n...
www.npr.org/2025/02/05/n...
NSA museum covered plaques honoring women and people of color, provoking an uproar
Following a White House anti-DEI order, the National Cryptologic Museum covered up exhibits of women and people of color in its Hall of Honor. The NSA reversed course after former employees mobilized.
www.npr.org
February 6, 2025 at 5:24 PM
NSA museum covered plaques honoring women and people of color, provoking an uproar
www.npr.org/2025/02/05/n...
www.npr.org/2025/02/05/n...
Reposted by Tracy Smith, Ed.D.
Really love this cartoon from the great Michael De Adder. The outpouring of support coming in has been truly amazing! Thanks everybody!
January 29, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Really love this cartoon from the great Michael De Adder. The outpouring of support coming in has been truly amazing! Thanks everybody!