Topic: Grading

19 chapters across the catalog

Eat The Dog Food
Episode 1776 2:58:01 - 3:00:36

1776: Eat The Dog Food

Fifth Graders Arrested for Murder Plot in Arizona

Four fifth-grade students at a charter school in Surprise, Arizona, were arrested for planning to lure a classmate to a bathroom and stab him. The girls reportedly forged a suicide note and planned to wear gloves to avoid fingerprints. The motive was allegedly a dispute over the boy "cheating" on one of the girls.

Bay Gin
Episode 1532 1:00:29 - 1:02:01

1532: Bay Gin

South China Sea Laser Incident, Philippines Defense

The U.S. reaffirms its defense commitment to the Philippines after a Chinese ship allegedly directed a military-grade laser at a Philippine vessel. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed joint patrols to ensure a "free and open Indo-Pacific."

Clubbing Center
Episode 1470 1:01:10 - 1:05:57

1470: Clubbing Center

Queer Teachers on TikTok, Elementary School Indoctrination

Teachers on TikTok are documenting their efforts to introduce queer identity and non-binary pronouns to elementary school students. One teacher describes wearing "bi-flag" accessories to signal a "safe space" for third and fifth graders to request name and pronoun changes. The segment explores the tension between these teachers and school administrations regarding appropriate communication with young children about gender.

Clubbing Center
Episode 1470 1:10:40 - 1:13:52

1470: Clubbing Center

Non-Binary Educators, Transgender Identity in First Grade

A non-binary teacher describes reading gender-themed books to a first-grade class, resulting in a six-year-old student identifying as transgender. The educator claims that children are "capable of accepting anything they are taught with love," regardless of age. The discussion questions the appropriateness of introducing complex sexual and gender concepts to children before they reach puberty.

Clubbing Center
Episode 1470 1:24:29 - 1:27:51

1470: Clubbing Center

Cultural Appropriation of Slang, Millennial Teacher Dilemmas

A fourth-grade teacher expresses anxiety on TikTok over students using slang terms like "sheesh" and "fire," fearing it constitutes cultural appropriation from people of color. The teacher seeks advice on whether to ban the terms or require students to research their cultural origins. This is presented as an example of the hyper-fixation on social justice issues within modern education.

Birthing Comrade
Episode 1406 2:38:33 - 2:40:09

1406: Birthing Comrade

Grading Policy Changes in Oakland Schools

Oakland schools are phasing out "D" and "F" grades in an effort to help students "re-engage" following the failures of distance learning. Students who fail tests or miss assignments will be given more time or the opportunity to retake exams. Critics argue this policy avoids holding teachers and school boards accountable for the poor quality of pandemic-era education while lowering academic standards.

Bunny Hugging
Episode 1341 2:27:42 - 2:30:27

1341: Bunny Hugging

School Equity Surveys for First Graders

A producer in Detroit shares an "equity and inclusion" survey sent to parents of first graders. The questions ask about the child's exposure to topics like systemic discrimination, gender identity, and social justice. The hosts argue this is part of a broader effort to raise children to be critical of their own country.

Bat's True!
Episode 1226 22:15 - 24:39

1226: Bat's True!

Admiral Brett Giroir Debunks WHO Test Refusal Claims

Admiral Brett Giroir of Health and Human Services clarified that the United States did not refuse a functional test from the World Health Organization. Giroir stated the WHO test was a "research grade" diagnostic that had not been submitted to or approved by the FDA. This statement contradicts claims made by Joe Biden and various media outlets regarding the availability of international testing kits.

Mooch and Stoll
Episode 1139 1:32:48 - 1:36:27

1139: Mooch and Stoll

The Dreary Reality of a Hyper-Connected World

Cliff Stoll reflects on his time teaching eighth grade, where he observed students choosing texting over athletics and face-to-face interaction. He expresses sadness over the rise of online trolling and sarcasm, which he views as a poor substitute for self-supportive communities. Stoll worries that the modern love affair with high-tech information systems is leading both children and adults into dreary, unhappy lives.

Rise of the Betas
Episode 1014 1:52:52 - 1:55:23

1014: Rise of the Betas

Sexual Harassment Update, Jorge Dominguez and Harvard

Harvard professor Jorge Dominguez was placed on administrative leave following decades of sexual harassment allegations dating back to 1983. Meanwhile, the Weinstein Company's sale collapsed after the acquiring firm discovered undisclosed debt. The segment also discussed the "real scandal" of professors allegedly swapping grades for sexual favors at elite universities.

Vasectomies & Dogs
Episode 1011 1:36:06 - 1:39:23

1011: Vasectomies & Dogs

Restorative Justice and Grade Inflation in Schools

A teacher from Nashville provides a first-hand account of how administrative pressure to lower suspension rates and increase graduation numbers affects the classroom. The use of "restorative justice" policies often results in aggressive or unstable students being returned to class without consequences. The report suggests that political leaders and watchdog groups prioritize statistical optics over student and teacher safety.

Learn Russian!
Episode 933 1:16:19 - 1:22:57

933: Learn Russian!

Evergreen Alumni Reactions, Experimental School History

Alumni of Evergreen State College expressed distress over the recent campus unrest, leading to calls for citizens to complain to the Washington State Legislature. Evergreen is noted for its history as an experimental liberal arts school with no traditional grading system, allowing students to define their own degree paths.

ISIS-Land
Episode 857 1:35:55 - 1:38:42

857: ISIS-Land

NASCAR Sponsorship and Professionalism in Youth Sports

The hosts play a clip of a highly professional NASCAR driver flawlessly reciting his sponsors, including NAPA Auto Parts and Toyota. They express shock upon discovering the driver is only in the 11th grade, noting how early the "patter" of professional sponsorship is instilled in young athletes.

Lowjistiks
Episode 703 2:16:43 - 2:19:38

703: Lowjistiks

Common Core Accountability, "Loser" Status Identification

The "accountability" measures of Common Core are criticized for failing to improve educational outcomes while increasing inequality. The hosts argue that the tests are designed to identify "losers" early in their academic careers. They suggest that the complex, two-hour sample tests for third graders are inappropriate and serve a broader agenda of social stratification.

Pupil Progression Plan
Episode 663 1:54:30 - 1:57:04

663: Pupil Progression Plan

Education Alternative Services and Grade Inflation

Schools in Hillsborough County, Florida, are banning the term "dropout" in favor of "education alternative services" to remove negative stigmas. Meanwhile, Orange County implements a "pupil progression plan" where students cannot receive a grade lower than 50, even for failing work. The hosts compare this to the 100-point wine rating scale where nothing is truly rated poorly.

Associative Propaganda
Episode 549 1:07:10 - 1:09:33

549: Associative Propaganda

Advanced Placement Exams, Grade Point Average, European Education

The hosts discuss the "scam" of Advanced Placement (AP) courses in American high schools, which allow students to achieve a GPA higher than 4.0. Adam Curry explains the European decimal grading system, where a 6 is a passing grade, and expresses confusion over the American A-F system and its four-point basis.

Tart Cherry Juice!
Episode 340 18:55 - 26:09

340: Tart Cherry Juice!

American Jobs Act Infrastructure and Investment Grade Ratings

The American Jobs Act includes the creation of the American Infrastructure Financing Authority (AIFA), a government-backed investment bank. The legislation allows for projects with a "BBB minus" investment grade rating to receive federal financing, which is a lower standard than traditional high-grade investments. Loans for these projects feature 35-year repayment terms starting only after the substantial completion of construction.

Pounding the Pavement
Episode 328 1:20:00 - 1:24:06

328: Pounding the Pavement

No Excuses University, School Consultant Programs

No Excuses University is a program that sends consultants into elementary schools to promote college attendance to third graders. The program uses PowerPoint presentations to associate college with luxury cars and manual labor with poverty. Critics describe the chanting and "code of conduct" as cult-like and manipulative.