May Day is for Freedom

What to know: While communist countries still celebrate May 1 as May Day, a “workers’ holiday,” others are using the day the commemorate the victims of communism.

The TPPF take: TPPF’s Austin Prochko’s family escaped from communist Czechoslovakia.

“In Soviet-controlled countries, one of the biggest celebrations of the year was May Day, which occurs on May 1 each year,” Austin explains. “The leaders give speeches, the public wave flags, the military performs marches, and the people celebrate the wonders of communism and its workers. However, excitement was mandatory, and good men found themselves suddenly persona non grata for something as simple as not flying the Soviet flag in Czechoslovakia.”

 

For more on the conformist requirements of communism, click here.

It’s Still DEI

What to know: Education Week says that “social emotional learning” (SEL) isn’t just DEI with a newer acronym.

The TPPF take: SEL has the same goals as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) materials.

“Despite their initial differences, SEL has been captured by DEI,” says TPPF’s Kate Bierly. “While SEL announced itself to be concerned with individual social and emotional learning, too often it incorporates the ‘moral teaching’ of DEI. DEI doesn’t only suggest that identity matters, it demands allegiance to an interpretation of identity that views every interaction through the lens of systemic oppression.”

For more on SEL, click here.

We Can Do Better

What to know: Texas public school rankings have come out, showing that one in five schools earned a D or an F for the 2022-2023 school year.

The TPPF take: School officials don’t like the ratings, but what gets measured gets fixed.

“These ratings give parents, educators, and lawmakers a clear, simple way to understand how schools are doing where it matters most: making sure students can read, write, and do math on grade level and ensuring graduates are prepared for life after high school,” says TPPF’s Jorge Borrego. “If students are struggling in core subjects or schools are failing to prepare them for college, a career, or military service, the accountability system should reflect that. Without this information we’re flying blind—unable to identify where support is needed—whether progress is being made and what changes need to occur.”

For more rating Texas education, click here.