Topic: Grading

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The hosts critique "estimative math," where getting the right answer is less important than being "fluent" in mathematical concepts. They also review third-grade grammar assignments that use sentences about obeying government officials as examples for possessive nouns.

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.

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.

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.