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Education department launches new council to work with parents at local level

The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday launched a new council to facilitate better working relationships with parents and school boards at the local level, announcing the effort after fierce disputes over critical race theory, masks and LGBTQ issues at schools nationwide.

The Education Department’s new National Parents and Families Engagement Council will consist of parents, family and caregiver representatives from about 15 national organizations who have expertise on public, private, charter and home schooling.

The council will meet to discuss challenges to local schools and how government funds are deployed to schools nationwide. The council will also work to facilitate better relationships with parents and families and help them understand their rights in the education process.

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said the group will also help school environments recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, which at its peak led to massive school shutdowns, masks and other virus restriction policies and the creation of a new virtual environment for students.

Cardona said the council will “foster a collaborative environment where we can work together to serve the best interest of students.”

“Parents are a child’s first teachers, and there’s no one better equipped to work with schools and educators to identify what students need to recover,” Cardona said in a statement.

Organizational members who have joined the Education department’s new council include The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE) and the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

NAFSCE executive director Vito Borrello said in a statement the council “provides the opportunity to bring diverse parent voices together” while also “serving as a dissemination vehicle for engaging families across the country in equitable education policy.”

The move follows more than a year of contentious infighting at local school boards.

Parents have clashed over mask wearing; the banning of books; the teaching of gay and transgender rights; and the academic inclusion of critical race theory, which teaches that race is a social construct and embedded in many institutions across the U.S.

In October, the federal Department of Justice (DOJ) began investigating some parents following a letter from the National School Board Association, which requested the Biden administration look into threats made against school board members and investigate parents as “domestic terrorists” under the 2001 Patriot Act.

The NSBA later apologized for the letter. In May, the organization announced the completion of an outside review of the letter and promised institutional changes.

States continue to grapple with how to teach children about a range of issues. Several Republican-leading states have banned discussion of critical race theory or similar topics and have banned books on race or the LGBTQ community.

Over the spring, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) drew backlash after he signed into law a bill banning discussion of gender identity or sexual orientation from kindergarten through third grade.

PTA President Anna King said the new council is “essential to help make sure the needs of students are met coming out of the pandemic and ensure every child has everything they need to make their potential a reality.”

“Parents provide critical perspective, and they should always have a seat at the table whenever decisions are made that impact their children,” she said in a statement.

Source: TEST FEED1

The nature of trade has changed — US trade policy must change too

There is a good reason why trade is a sticking point as Congress considers the America Competes Act. Trade in today’s world no longer works the way it once did, but many are still being taught trade examples from an older world. They learn that if England is good at raising sheep and making their wool into cloth, and Portugal is as good at growing grapes and making their juice into wine, then, if they trade wine for cloth, they both come out ahead.   

David Ricardo, who discussed this example in his famous book, understood very well what he was writing about. Ricardo originated the theory of comparative advantage and made a fortune in finance. We still use his economic reasoning today. But Ricardo was living in a different world. In Ricardo’s world of 1820, it was hard for countries to change what nature and history had given them. It would have been both difficult and unproductive for England to get into making wine and for Portugal to get into making cloth.

But today’s world is different. In today’s world, an advantage in making something can often be acquired rather than be a gift of nature. The ability to make semiconductors, for example, is knowledge and skill that can be learned by any developed country anywhere.

Trade is no longer about trading what you are naturally good at producing. It is about finding ways to make your country the major provider of the most productive industries. And there are many actions, some of them not very pretty, that countries use to get that result.

China is a good example. For decades China has used currency manipulation, subsidies to Chinese producers in key industries, limited market access and many other tactics to advance its home industries. It also subsidizes U.S. companies that China selects to produce in China. These companies can then sell products back into the U.S. at prices that undermine our unsubsidized providers.

For decades, U.S. political leaders have accepted these actions. They have acted on the belief that increased trade between two countries will ultimately benefit the overall economies of both. But in today’s complex world of global corporations and government supported industries, international trade is not always that benign. In today’s world, trade can help countries, but trade can also harm them.

This new reality, with its possibility of harm as well as gains from trade, has not gone unrecognized. In 2000 the influential economist William Baumol and I published our MIT Press book “Global Trade and Conflicting National Interests,” which carefully described the new trade situation. Another important discussion of this new world of trade was a 2005 article by the Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Samuelson. Samuelson not only gave examples of both positive and damaging outcomes from trade but also strongly suggested to his fellow economists that it was time for them to realize that the world has changed.

In the complex world we live in now, many things can happen. Here is one important situation: Suppose a developed country A is trading with an undeveloped country B that is developing. Our analysis shows that B’s development is at first good for both A and B but after a certain point turns bad for A as the formerly undeveloped country B becomes a more effective competitor. That situation accurately describes our recent history with China.  

We should congratulate Congress for realizing that there is a problem and for taking a significant step toward addressing it by trying to pass the America Competes Act. But in our modern world, there are so many different and constantly changing actions countries can take in international trade that we cannot respond adequately by congressional action alone.

Fortunately, there are many effective steps our country cantake to respond. Here are a few. We can use tariffs to shelter key industries from subsidized foreign competition. We can use internal tax policies, such as the research and development (R&D) tax credit, that encourage investment at home. We can even use U.S. government intervention to strengthen a vital industry, as we did successfully with Sematech in 1988, when a government-industry coalition turned around our semiconductor industry, which was steadily losing out to Japan.

We also formed NASA in 1958, when there was widespread concern about our ability to compete with the Russians in space. Today, as I wrote recently in The Hill, we could also consider an ongoing government agency to help us not only to lead in science but also to capture more of its industrial benefits.

Although there is much we can do, it will not be easy to change away from the old benign belief about trade. Any change in what we do will naturally be opposed by those who benefit from the present situation. Many of our largest corporations are strongly dependent on subsidized factories in China to make their products cheaply and enhance shareholder profits. Quite naturally, they and their political influence will oppose moving away from what we do now.

Change will not come easily, but it is necessary. We should urge our government to move ahead now with the actions that will create an economy that we can rely on to give us the critical goods we need, and to increase the strength and prosperity of our country.

Ralph Gomory is well-known for his mathematical research and his technical leadership. He has been awarded the National Medal of Science. For 20 years he was responsible for IBM’s research division, and then for 18 years was the president of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. He is currently a research professor at New York University.

Source: TEST FEED1

‘Will on the Hill’ explores pandemic pressures through Shakespeare’s eyes

For a fresh take on the pandemic, a cast of politicians, actors and high school students channeled Shakespeare reckoning with his plague experience more than 400 years ago, for the 20th annual “Will on the Hill” fundraiser on Monday night. 

While Shakespeare took advantage of the bubonic plague to write “King Lear,” performers noted “it’s enough to just put one foot in front of the other these days.”

Returning for its first in-person performance in two years, “Will on the Hill: No, Really, This Time It’s True!” was written by Nat Cassidy and directed by Samatha Wyer Bello. The Hill was a media sponsor for the event.

Shakespeare, played by Justin Guarini, tried to boost his ego throughout the night while dodging questions about his “next great” pandemic work from the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s moderator, played by Jacob Yeh.

One question was how Shakespeare copes with the pressure of his reputation, causing the bard to scoff, saying that was like asking Tom Brady how he feels competing in a Superbowl or whether Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) “feels pressure to have the same opinion every day.”

Much of the evening was fast-paced, the moderator noted, in an effort to prevent the politicians from getting “a little antsy” and turning on one eachother — “like Squid Game but not as nice.” 

Politicians and media personalities also took turns asking Shakespeare questions about the secrets behind his plays and how certain moments could be feasible. 

CNN chief political correspondent Dana Bash said she had been reviewing “previous statements” from the bard and needed clarification, including how ships could touch the shores of land-locked Bohemia in “The Winter’s Tale,” and how in “Measure for Measure” all the characters have Italian names, yet the play is set in Vienna.

“Poetic license?” Shakespeare responded hesitantly.

Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) also expressed confusion over their prepared lines, which they said were harder to figure out than Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

As Shakespeare beat himself up over not using another pandemic to craft legendary literature, the play’s fictional stage manager, played by recent high school graduate Dayonna Jameson, encouraged the bard “to thy own self be true.” 

Shakespeare initially rejected this use of his own words against him as “cancel culture or something,” though he seemed to find hope in little successes.

In the end, the cast joined together at the front of the stage and shared Shakespeare’s awe-inspired writing, taking note to remember not to take in-person moments “for granted” ever again.

The cast also included: former chief of staff at the CIA and current NBC/MSNBC national security analyst Jeremy Bash, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) and Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.).

Source: TEST FEED1

Biden to AFL-CIO: 'How well are you going to sleep at night' under Scott tax plan

President Biden on Tuesday questioned how well American workers will be able to sleep at night knowing that federal benefits and programs could be cut if Sen. Rick Scott’s (R-Fla.) tax plan is passed.

The president warned that Scott’s plan would sunset all federal legislation after five years and require Congress to reauthorize programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

“How well are you going to sleep at night knowing that every five years, Ted Cruz and the other ultra-MAGA Republicans are going to vote on whether you have Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid?” Biden said at the 29th Quadrennial AFL-CIO Convention in Philadelphia.

Biden has consistently criticized Scott’s plan in remarks recently and the White House has tied congressional Republicans to the plan. However, other lawmakers have either distanced themselves from or declined to embrace it.

Biden said that it’s unlikely that the bill will wipe out these programs, but warned that it could cut benefits.

“It’s clear, the last thing they want to see is workers with power in this country,” he said.

Scott’s 11-point plan states that “all federal legislation sunsets in 5 years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again” and, while it doesn’t explicitly call for ending those federal programs, it has been criticized as a move to end such benefits.

In another section, the plan says that “all Americans should pay some income tax to have skin in the game, even if a small amount,” which the White House has also bashed as a move to require everyone to pay taxes.

During his remarks, Biden read a page from the tax plan, which was met by boos from the audience. He reiterated his criticism of “ultra- MAGA” Republicans, blaming them for stopping his attempts to bring down costs for American families.

“The problem is, Republicans in Congress are doing everything they can to stop my plans to bring down costs on ordinary families. That’s why my plan is not finished and why the results aren’t finished either. Jobs are back but prices are still too high, COVID is down but gas prices are up,” he said.

The president also touted job recovery since taking office — specifically that 8.7 million new jobs have been created in 16 months, an all-time record.

“Our work isn’t done but here’s the deal, America still has a choice to make. A choice between a government by the few, for the few, or a government for all of us. Democracy for all of us, an economy where all of us have a fair shot and a chance to learn our place in the economy,” Biden said.

Biden also highlighted a decrease in the deficit during his administration and appeared to bash his predecessor, former President Trump.

“By the way, Republicans like to portray me as some kind of big spender. We have spent a lot of money but let’s compare the facts — under my predecessor, the deficit exploded, rising every single year. And all of the benefit going to the top, one percent basically. Under my plan, we cut the deficit by $350 billion, doing all this,” Biden said.

The speech to the AFL-CIO was a high-profile event for the president, giving him the opportunity to emphasize his support for labor as Democrats worry they could lose more blue-collar workers to Republicans in the midterms.

Biden had pledged to be the most pro-union president in U.S. history, and recently he has ramped up his engagements with workers, including by hosting union organizers from Amazon and Starbucks at the White House and other speeches at big-labor conferences.

He praised the union, thanking them for their support in the 2020 campaign.

“You’re a gigantic reason why I’m standing here, standing here today as your president,” he said.

“You guys don’t understand,” he added. “I don’t think you appreciate how critically important you are. I’m not trying to be nice to you, it’s just a fact.”

The president also called on Congress to pass the PRO Act, a legislative priority for unions that has stalled in the Senate. The bill would stiffen penalties for employers who violate workers’ rights and strengthen protections for employees against retaliation.

Source: TEST FEED1

Chicago officials urge monkeypox precautions at summer gatherings

The Chicago Department of Public Health is encouraging residents to take precautions when gathering with others this summer as a handful of monkeypox cases have been confirmed in the city. 

The department said in a release Monday that officials have been working with the organizers of large summer events to provide information about how to stay safe. Officials are recommending that if someone feels sick or has a rash or sores, they should not attend a gathering and see a health care provider as soon as possible. 

Anyone attending a festival or other large summer event should consider how much close, skin-to-skin contact might occur, the release states. 

“While the risk in Chicago remains low, CDPH wants the public to be able to make informed choices about gathering in spaces or participating in events where monkeypox could be spread through close or intimate contact,” Chicago public health department Commissioner Allison Arwady said in the release. 

The city has identified seven cases as of Sunday and is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health and other local health departments to find other potential cases. There have been 49 confirmed cases in the United States across 16 states and Washington, D.C. Most affected individuals have reported mild symptoms, and no one has died, according to the release.

The department created a template letter with advice for staying safe. Event organizers can print it on their letterhead and “palm cards” to pass out at their events with a scannable smartphone code to access more information.

The department of public health has been working to support clinical partners to identify infections, contact trace and monitor individuals’ symptoms. Affected individuals might have flu-like symptoms early on in the illness and then develop lesions on one part of the body that spread to other parts.

Source: TEST FEED1

Solving water insecurity could be key to global hunger crisis: study

People who have trouble obtaining water resources are nearly three times more likely to face food insecurity than those who have reliable access to hydration, a new study has found.

This strong link between water and food insecurity suggests that improving access to water could be instrumental in solving the global food crisis, according to the study, presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting on Tuesday. 

Dependable access to water is crucial not only to hydration but also to cooking, farming and hygiene, the authors stressed. More than two-thirds of people who were water insecure in 2020 were also experiencing food insecurity, they noted.

“Water insecurity is a major global health issue and its impact on biological and social well-being is only likely to grow with climate change,” Hilary Bethancourt, a research associate at Northwestern University, said in a statement released ahead of the presentation.

About one-tenth of the global population is suffering from hunger, while nearly a third is facing food insecurity, according to the authors.

To draw their conclusions, Bethancourt and her colleagues analyzed data collected in 2020 by Northwestern University and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The data included a sample of more than 31,000 people ages 15 and older in 25 low and middle-income countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

They found that about 18 percent of participants were classified as water insecure — ranging from about 15 percent in Asia to more than 34 percent in sub-Saharan Africa.

The occurrence of water and food insecurity presented a strong link overall, according to the study. The authors acknowledged, however, that this relationship varied from region to region — which they attributed to differences in climate, social services and water infrastructure.

“These data suggest that we have seen just the tip of the iceberg of understanding the role that water insecurity plays in food, nutrition and well-being in general,” Bethancourt said.

Although the study did not evaluate the root causes of this linkage, the researches hypothesized that several factors could be playing a role.

The need to spend money on water could mean fewer funds for food, while water insecurity could also reduce resources for crop irrigation, the authors suggested. If considerable travel is required to acquire water, less time and income might be available for food preparation, they added.

Based on their results, the researchers stressed the importance of measuring and addressing food and water insecurity in tandem in the future. Doing so, they explained, could help ensure that deficiencies in water supplies do not pose an added obstacle to achieving food security.

“In some cases, the most sustainable way to improve food security may be through improving water security,” Bethancourt said.

Source: TEST FEED1

Idaho police facing death threats after Patriot Front members' arrests, chief says

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, officials on Monday said that they received death threats after arresting 31 members of a white nationalist group near a Pride event.

During a press conference on Monday, Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White said there was a ”50/50 split” between those who have expressed support for officials following the arrest and those who have reached out with anger and threats.

The first 50 percent “are happy to give us their name and tell us that they’re proud of the work that we did and they’re happy to be a part of this community,” White said.

“The other 50 percent, who are completely anonymous, who want nothing more than to scream and yell at us and use some really choice words, offer death threats against myself and other members of the police department merely for doing our jobs,” he added.

During Monday’s press conference, the police chief was joined by Coeur d’Alene Mayor Jim Hammond, who said, “We are not a city that wants to discriminate. We are not a city who wishes to bring any hurt upon anyone.”

“It’s important because Coeur d’Alene has experienced that before. We’re not going back to the days of the Aryan Nations. We are past that, and we will do everything we can to make sure that we continue to stay past those kinds of problems,” the mayor said.

Their remarks came as an update after police on Saturday responded to a tip about a large group of people wearing matching outfits and masks and arrested 31 people with ties to the Patriot Front.

The Patriot Front is a white supremacist and neo-Nazi group that considers Black Americans, Jewish people and the LGBTQ community to be enemies, according to a George Washington University researcher Jon Lewis. 

Over the weekend, White said that members of the group were dressed in Patriot Front paraphernalia and came from at least 11 different states.

On Saturday afternoon, White said police “received a telephone call from a concerned citizen who reported that approximately 20 people jumped into a UHAUL wearing masks.” 

“They had shields and ‘looked like a little army,’” he noted of the situation, which occurred near a northern Idaho pride event.

Source: TEST FEED1

Navalny transferred to unknown location, spokesperson says

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been transferred to an unknown location, his spokesperson said Tuesday.

Kira Yarmysh, a spokesperson for the Kremlin critic, said on Twitter that Navalny was transported from his current prison. The opposition leader’s lawyer went to visit Navalny and was told he wasn’t there, Yarmysh said.

The U.S. has denounced Navalny’s detention, with Navalny previously saying the charges against him are “politically motivated.”

He was first arrested last year for alleged embezzlement and breaking his parole conditions by leaving the country. Navalny went to Germany in 2020 after he was poisoned, with the Kremlin critic accusing the Russian government of the attack. 

Neither Navalny’s lawyers nor his family were notified of his transfer, Yarmysh said.

“There were rumors that he was going to be transferred to the high-security penal colony IK-6 ‘Melekhovo’, but it is impossible to know when (and if) he will actually arrive there,” the spokesperson said. 

“The problem with his transfer to another colony is not only that the high-security colony is much scarier. As long as we don’t know where Alexei is, he remains one-on-one with the system that has already tried to kill him, so our main task now is to locate him as soon as possible,” Yarmysh added. 

The transfer comes a week after Navalny lost an appeal to overturn the “inclined to commit crimes of a terrorist or extremist nature” label the Russian government put on him. 

At the end of May, Navalny said the Russian government was also charging him with creating an extremist group with the purpose of inciting hatred toward “officials and oligarchs.”

The new charge could add an extra 15 years on top of the 2 and a half years he is currently serving.

Source: TEST FEED1

On the lawn: Biden's focus on unions

President Biden is turning his attention to unions this week.

Biden traveled to Philadelphia on Tuesday to speak at a convention for the AFL-CIO — a high-profile event for Biden to emphasize his support for labor while ramping up his engagement as Democrats worry they could lose more blue-collar workers to Republicans in the midterms.

Biden pledged to be the most pro-union president in history and recently hosted union organizers from Amazon and Starbucks at the White House.

Biden also will host a reception to celebrate Pride Month on Wednesday. On Friday, he will host a forum on energy and climate.

Source: TEST FEED1