Mark Winegar, Ed.D.

The South Dakota House of Representatives will be voting on a bill to require posting and teaching Ten Commandments in every K-12 classroom in the state.
What do you think about this?

It’s been a great week for VHS basketball. Our women’s varsity team beat undefeated Sioux Falls Christian. Then the men’s varsity team came from behind to beat Groton. Hooray Tanagers!

The same folks telling you vouchers will work now were the same folks telling you they’d work a decade ago too.

They were wrong then and they’ll be wrong again.

The difference is just that now we won’t know—because the new voucher bills avoid the scrutiny of past oversight.

Dozens of Head Start Programs Still Aren't Receiving Promised Federal Funds Some providers of pre-K and child care have waited more than a week for federal reimbursements that typically arrive in 24 hours.

New: Dozens of Head Start programs have been waiting a week for federal reimbursements that typically arrive overnight. Some may shut down if the funds don’t arrive soon, leaving thousands of children in the lurch. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...

YouTube video by asbsdorg Larson's Legislative Update (1/17)

youtu.be/SkfT45_3kBM

MLK Jr on the National Mall, huge crows before him

“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

May we all embody that spirit and hold tight to our compassion.

#MLKDay

I believe it is essential in difficult times to remember our positive role models and Rev. Martin Luther King is certainly one of the best.

Flexibility fuels surge in alternative schooling, while critics point to lack of accountability • South Dakota Searchlight Alternative instruction and homeschooling in South Dakota nearly tripled over the last decade from 3,933 students in 2014 to 11,489 in 2014.

Flexibility fuels surge in alternative schooling, while critics point to lack of accountability southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/01/10/h...

‘Big gray area’: SD authorities fear alternative instruction means ‘no-schooling’ for some students • South Dakota Searchlight Truancy data has led critics to suspect some families who say they’re enrolled in alternative instruction are not educating their kids.

‘Big gray area’: SD authorities fear alternative instruction means ‘no-schooling’ for some students southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/01/10/s...

@joshcowenmsu.bsky.social I enjoyed watching you on C-SPAN today. Please keep up the good work.

How vouchers harm public schools: Calculating the cost of voucher programs to public school districts Overview What this report is about Voucher programs for schools are rapidly expanding across the country. Under these programs, public budgets provide funding to parents to either send their children ...

How much do vouchers cost public schools? A new report from EPI's @hilwething.bsky.social examines the hidden costs of vouchers.

She finds that public school students will bear the cost of children participating in voucher programs.

#EduSky #EconSky

www.epi.org/publication/...

School choice groups split over Noem’s education savings account plan • South Dakota Searchlight School choice advocates are fracturing over a bill outlining Republican Gov. Kristi Noem’s proposed $4 million plan to provide families with public money for private school, homeschooling or other for...

School choice groups split over Noem’s education savings account plan southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/01/09/s...

South Dakota lawmakers introducing bill to fund homeschooling and private education House Bill 1020, if passed, could provide $3,000 in funds to each accepted student.

They falsely claim relocation of school funds won’t have a negative impact on public schools. Okay, Pinocchio! Why is your nose growing?

www.kotatv.com/2025/01/09/s...

This School Nurse Explains How Her Work Goes Beyond ‘Band-Aids, Boo-Boos and Head Lice’ - EdSurge News “School nursing is an opportunity to meet families where they are and help them get the care that they need.”

School Nurses are much more than Band-aids & boo boos. Our work transforms health & education equity. Read more in my interview with EdSurge. #schoolnursing #Healthequity www.edsurge.com/news/2024-11...

Keep up the good work, Josh!

This ought to be taught in the United States too!

Recognizing fake news now a required subject in California schools In addition to identifying fake news, students will learn other media literacy skills, such as thinking critically about internet content.

A new Calif law requires teaching students about fake news and critical thinking starting this fall:

calmatters.org/education/k-...

This ought to be taught in all school districts!

Sometimes the truth hurts but it can set the rest of us free.

I’m in favor of a national free Schhol lunch program throughout the country.

Never stop learning. The world is a big and beautiful place

💡 Mistakes are part of learning, and AI is no exception.

Like Ted says, “Be a goldfish.”

How do you help your students bounce back from mistakes while exploring new tools?

#EdTechCruise

I’m returning to my Alma mater after 25 years to teach a course in lifespan development.

“In Teachers We Trust” is an outstanding guide to teaching like Finnish teachers. Why? Because Finland’s students have out performed their international peers for decades. Our district is gradually adopting many of these methods with very positive results.

This book describes the Finnish culture which we would do well to emulate.

Fine as long as I’m not a security threat. 😉

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