Illinois Families for Public Schools
@ilfps.bsky.social
Grassroots, non-profit 501c4 advocacy org representing the interests of Illinois pro-public school families. Public schools = public good! [email protected]
In this season of gratitude, we give thanks to everyone fighting for public schools in Illinois and across the country. Together, let's continue to do right by our public schools, a public good that benefits ALL of us!
November 27, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In this season of gratitude, we give thanks to everyone fighting for public schools in Illinois and across the country. Together, let's continue to do right by our public schools, a public good that benefits ALL of us!
A multi-billion dollar program to erode public ed that’s set to start in 2027 with details that are very much to be determined? Yep, that’s the Trump administration's federal voucher program in a nutshell.
November 27, 2025 at 1:59 AM
A multi-billion dollar program to erode public ed that’s set to start in 2027 with details that are very much to be determined? Yep, that’s the Trump administration's federal voucher program in a nutshell.
You’ve probably heard that voucher programs don’t impact public school funding, but it’s simply not true. Every tax $ diverted to private schools is a public $ that can’t be used to increase public school funding. That’s why it’s especially important that IL doesn’t opt into federal vouchers.
November 26, 2025 at 6:58 PM
You’ve probably heard that voucher programs don’t impact public school funding, but it’s simply not true. Every tax $ diverted to private schools is a public $ that can’t be used to increase public school funding. That’s why it’s especially important that IL doesn’t opt into federal vouchers.
"Right now, I think we need public figures we respect telling us not to settle for crumbs and not to allow ourselves to be convinced that what’s on offer is the best that can be done. It isn’t." prisonculture.substack.com/p/we-dont-kn...
We Don’t Know Where We Will End Up…
A Year Since the 2024 Election
prisonculture.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:50 PM
"Right now, I think we need public figures we respect telling us not to settle for crumbs and not to allow ourselves to be convinced that what’s on offer is the best that can be done. It isn’t." prisonculture.substack.com/p/we-dont-kn...
he new federal voucher scheme that rolls out in 2027 is a tax credit scholarship program which makes use of a middleman “scholarship granting organization” to obscure the use of taxpayer funds. This is done in part to give cover for using public dollars for private, religious education.
November 25, 2025 at 10:07 PM
he new federal voucher scheme that rolls out in 2027 is a tax credit scholarship program which makes use of a middleman “scholarship granting organization” to obscure the use of taxpayer funds. This is done in part to give cover for using public dollars for private, religious education.
“One hundred and eighty-one public libraries in Tennessee are reviewing their children’s collections after Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R) ordered them to remove books with LGBTQ themes or characters.” open.substack.com/pub/populari...
Tennessee public libraries close for Trump-inspired book purge
One hundred and eighty-one public libraries in Tennessee are reviewing their children’s collections after Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R) ordered them to remove books with LGBTQ themes or...
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM
“One hundred and eighty-one public libraries in Tennessee are reviewing their children’s collections after Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett (R) ordered them to remove books with LGBTQ themes or characters.” open.substack.com/pub/populari...
“[T]hese results mirror a growing body of research released over many years, all pointing to the same conclusion. Gender-affirming care saves lives. It remains one of the most effective interventions available for transgender youth who need it.” www.erininthemorning.com/p/study-in-t...
November 25, 2025 at 2:45 AM
“[T]hese results mirror a growing body of research released over many years, all pointing to the same conclusion. Gender-affirming care saves lives. It remains one of the most effective interventions available for transgender youth who need it.” www.erininthemorning.com/p/study-in-t...
“Together, these studies sharply contradict conservative narratives claiming transgender youth are poorly screened for care or that regret and harm are widespread outcomes of treatment. Importantly, the study found gender-affirming care is likely lifesaving.” www.erininthemorning.com/p/study-in-t...
Study In The Journal Of Pediatrics Finds Trans Youth Care Lowers Suicidality, Few Detransition
The groundbreaking study found that suicidality dropped for transgender youth receiving hormone therapy by nearly 70%, with only 7 patients of 432 discontinuing treatment.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:40 AM
“Together, these studies sharply contradict conservative narratives claiming transgender youth are poorly screened for care or that regret and harm are widespread outcomes of treatment. Importantly, the study found gender-affirming care is likely lifesaving.” www.erininthemorning.com/p/study-in-t...
With the multitude of federal attacks on our public ed system, it’s difficult to keep track of what needs attention. Disappointingly, there hasn’t been much discussion in IL yet from pro-public ed electeds about refusing the fed voucher program that starts in 2027—and that needs to change!
November 24, 2025 at 9:30 PM
With the multitude of federal attacks on our public ed system, it’s difficult to keep track of what needs attention. Disappointingly, there hasn’t been much discussion in IL yet from pro-public ed electeds about refusing the fed voucher program that starts in 2027—and that needs to change!
Another action step from @network4pubed.bsky.social to take to oppose the dismantling of the US Department of Education -- use this tool to write to your US Senators and your Congressperson
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
Stop Trump and McMahon From Destroying the Department of Education
Linda McMahon and Donald Trump are gutting the Department of Education—carving off one slice at a time. Critical programs have been slashed, and departments our students rely on are being outsourced—s...
actionnetwork.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Another action step from @network4pubed.bsky.social to take to oppose the dismantling of the US Department of Education -- use this tool to write to your US Senators and your Congressperson
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
Reposted by Illinois Families for Public Schools
(you need to sit still for tests and test prep, and meds can help with that) but blaming Autism on standardized testing is really nuts.
I wish more people would talk about how testing has undermined education, but they should do it by talking to people who have to spend hours a day in the classroom
I wish more people would talk about how testing has undermined education, but they should do it by talking to people who have to spend hours a day in the classroom
November 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM
(you need to sit still for tests and test prep, and meds can help with that) but blaming Autism on standardized testing is really nuts.
I wish more people would talk about how testing has undermined education, but they should do it by talking to people who have to spend hours a day in the classroom
I wish more people would talk about how testing has undermined education, but they should do it by talking to people who have to spend hours a day in the classroom
Reposted by Illinois Families for Public Schools
rather than address that problem in pedagogical terms (narrowing of curriculum) using qualitative data (parents, students and teachers testifying to how boring school became as a result), it tries to force data about ADHD and Autism into its thesis.
There may be something to that, esp. with ADHD
2/
There may be something to that, esp. with ADHD
2/
November 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
rather than address that problem in pedagogical terms (narrowing of curriculum) using qualitative data (parents, students and teachers testifying to how boring school became as a result), it tries to force data about ADHD and Autism into its thesis.
There may be something to that, esp. with ADHD
2/
There may be something to that, esp. with ADHD
2/
Reposted by Illinois Families for Public Schools
Speaking as an educator (teacher and principal), what's frustrating about the piece is that it identifies a real problem - the rise of standardized testing under NCLB and then Race to the Top - which did tremendous damage to students for whom one size did not fit all, but then . . .
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November 24, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Speaking as an educator (teacher and principal), what's frustrating about the piece is that it identifies a real problem - the rise of standardized testing under NCLB and then Race to the Top - which did tremendous damage to students for whom one size did not fit all, but then . . .
1/
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Reposted by Illinois Families for Public Schools
Here's some good news.
We're going to need strong school boards willing to fight what's coming, including heightened austerity.
The Trump Admin may be dismantling the Dept of Ed, but they're pushing AI on K-12 and readying the in-school propaganda machine (see in replies).
We're going to need strong school boards willing to fight what's coming, including heightened austerity.
The Trump Admin may be dismantling the Dept of Ed, but they're pushing AI on K-12 and readying the in-school propaganda machine (see in replies).
In culture war backlash, Democrats sweep school boards
The party recruited and invested in school board races to oust Republicans. It worked.
www.politico.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Here's some good news.
We're going to need strong school boards willing to fight what's coming, including heightened austerity.
The Trump Admin may be dismantling the Dept of Ed, but they're pushing AI on K-12 and readying the in-school propaganda machine (see in replies).
We're going to need strong school boards willing to fight what's coming, including heightened austerity.
The Trump Admin may be dismantling the Dept of Ed, but they're pushing AI on K-12 and readying the in-school propaganda machine (see in replies).
Reposted by Illinois Families for Public Schools
"The school choice movement has relied on its own version of “crying wolf” to convince the public that traditional K–12 public schools are failing. In many ways, the movement’s messaging mirrors the boy" who cries wolf-- ultimately, false wymang.substack.com/p/celebratin...
Celebrating Traditional K-12 Public Education
Public Education and the Illusion of the Free Market: Part 3 - Marketing
wymang.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:45 PM
"The school choice movement has relied on its own version of “crying wolf” to convince the public that traditional K–12 public schools are failing. In many ways, the movement’s messaging mirrors the boy" who cries wolf-- ultimately, false wymang.substack.com/p/celebratin...
Reposted by Illinois Families for Public Schools
Meta halted internal research that purportedly showed (young) people who stopped using Facebook became less depressed and anxious, according to an unredacted legal filing released on Friday. www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/m...
Meta halted internal research suggesting social media harm, court filing alleges
Meta is alleged to have halted internal research suggesting social media harm, according to court documents.
www.cnbc.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Meta halted internal research that purportedly showed (young) people who stopped using Facebook became less depressed and anxious, according to an unredacted legal filing released on Friday. www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/m...
Check out our “What to know about the new federal school voucher program” Q & A for Illinois public school supporters to learn more and share widely with your networks and legislators to defend our public schools.
Find it here: bit.ly/Q_A_federal_vouchers_fall_2025
Find it here: bit.ly/Q_A_federal_vouchers_fall_2025
November 23, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Check out our “What to know about the new federal school voucher program” Q & A for Illinois public school supporters to learn more and share widely with your networks and legislators to defend our public schools.
Find it here: bit.ly/Q_A_federal_vouchers_fall_2025
Find it here: bit.ly/Q_A_federal_vouchers_fall_2025
Reposted by Illinois Families for Public Schools
November 23, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Reposted by Illinois Families for Public Schools
Since the massive push to get academia entangled with these over the last year coincided with the error rate *doubling*
1. Are we generally good with 35% error-rate products? (If so, I may become an inventor)
2. If it doubled again, to a 70% error rate by Aug 2026, would we change course or nah?
1. Are we generally good with 35% error-rate products? (If so, I may become an inventor)
2. If it doubled again, to a 70% error rate by Aug 2026, would we change course or nah?
November 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Since the massive push to get academia entangled with these over the last year coincided with the error rate *doubling*
1. Are we generally good with 35% error-rate products? (If so, I may become an inventor)
2. If it doubled again, to a 70% error rate by Aug 2026, would we change course or nah?
1. Are we generally good with 35% error-rate products? (If so, I may become an inventor)
2. If it doubled again, to a 70% error rate by Aug 2026, would we change course or nah?
Reposted by Illinois Families for Public Schools
November 23, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by Illinois Families for Public Schools
I think the shortest version of why LLMs are an anti education technology is that education is fundamentally about making shared context to understand ourselves, each other, and the world
And by design LLMs destroy shared context
And by design LLMs destroy shared context
November 23, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I think the shortest version of why LLMs are an anti education technology is that education is fundamentally about making shared context to understand ourselves, each other, and the world
And by design LLMs destroy shared context
And by design LLMs destroy shared context
“‘An uneducated electorate isn’t a by-product of authoritarianism — it’s a prerequisite for it. We will fight back.’” @repsummerlee.bsky.social 19thnews.org/2025/11/depa...
November 23, 2025 at 2:19 PM
“‘An uneducated electorate isn’t a by-product of authoritarianism — it’s a prerequisite for it. We will fight back.’” @repsummerlee.bsky.social 19thnews.org/2025/11/depa...
“‘Donald Trump and Linda McMahon are lawlessly trying to fulfill Project 2025’s goal to abolish the Department of Education and pull the rug out from students in every part of the country.’” @murray.senate.gov 19thnews.org/2025/11/depa...
‘Selling off the Department of Education for parts’: The agency’s major overhaul faces fierce backlash
The Trump administration’s restructuring plan will create “more confusion, more mistakes and more barriers” for students and families in need of support, advocates say.
19thnews.org
November 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
“‘Donald Trump and Linda McMahon are lawlessly trying to fulfill Project 2025’s goal to abolish the Department of Education and pull the rug out from students in every part of the country.’” @murray.senate.gov 19thnews.org/2025/11/depa...
We stand with @edtrust.bsky.social and 60+ civil rights and education organizations to denounce the unlawful transfer of critical U.S. Department of Education offices and responsibilities to other federal agencies.
Full statement: bit.ly/4i9V6xf
Full statement: bit.ly/4i9V6xf
November 22, 2025 at 6:58 PM
We stand with @edtrust.bsky.social and 60+ civil rights and education organizations to denounce the unlawful transfer of critical U.S. Department of Education offices and responsibilities to other federal agencies.
Full statement: bit.ly/4i9V6xf
Full statement: bit.ly/4i9V6xf
Reposted by Illinois Families for Public Schools
BREAKING: Federal judge rejects DOJ's effort to subpoena the names and medical records of children who have received gender-affirming medical care from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 21, 2025 at 10:26 PM
BREAKING: Federal judge rejects DOJ's effort to subpoena the names and medical records of children who have received gender-affirming medical care from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...