Two years ago, we discussed how Oregon schools solved declining scores by eliminating their requirements that graduates actually attain levels of proficiency in basic subjects like math and English. In 2021, the changes were portrayed as just a temporary measure due to the pandemic. However, the state just extended it five more years. It declared that such proficiency tests are unfair to students of color. So, rather than give these students the level of education needed to excel in the modern workplace, schools will now process them out with degrees and call it social progress. Continue reading “Oregon Schools Eliminate Proficiency Requirements in Math and English for Students”
Category: Academia
The University of California at Davis is embroiled in a controversy involving one of its faculty threatening “zionist journalists” in a violent tirade on X. UC Davis Professor (and undergraduate adviser) Jemma Decristo posted the screed on October 10th referencing the homes and family of those who support Israel as possible targets. The university is investigating the matter, but Decristo’s embrace of violence is nothing new for faculty around the country. For years, faculty members have engaged in violent rhetoric directed toward conservatives and Republicans with little response from universities. Continue reading “University of California Professor Threatens Pro-Israel Journalists and Their Families”
Yesterday, we discussed the videotape of three NYU students tearing down pictures of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in the recent terrorist attack. These pictures are being placed on campuses around the country to remind people of these hostages that remain held by Hamas in Gaza as well as those killed by Hamas. Now, University of Michigan Professor Erik Gordon is accused of the same destructive act, caught on camera taking down the photos in a university building. Update: Professor Gordon wrote to me after this blog was posted and has added important details to what occurred. He has objected that the accusations are completely without foundation.
New York University is investigating an incident involving three alleged NYU students caught on videotape tearing down posters of Hamas hostages. The videos were taken outside NYU’s Tisch Hall and shared by the Students Supporting Israel NYU Chapter. The chapter identified them as NYU students, but it is not clear if that has been established by the university. Continue reading “NYU Activists Tear Down Photos of Hamas Hostages [Updated]”
Below is a slightly expanded version of my column in The Messenger on the recent controversy over Cornell Professor Russell Rickford and his celebration of the massacre in Israel. I have opposed calls to censor or fire Rickford. However, this controversy should highlight a more troubling trend in academia in the hiring of extremists as a type of radical chic. The problem is not that we have radical left voices on the faculty. The problem is the lack of intellectual diversity left after decades of purging conservative, libertarian, and dissenting faculty members from many universities.Here is the column: Continue reading “The “Exhilaration” of Massacre: Russell Rickford and the Radical Chic of Higher Education” 
The Harvard Crimson on Thursday reported that 79 percent of grades given to Harvard students in 2020-21 were in the A range. That is an increase of 20 percent over the last decade. Continue reading “The Incredibles: Roughly 80 Percent of Grades Given at Harvard are in the A Range” 
Universities and colleges across the country have become embroiled in a debate over free speech in the aftermath of the massacre of Israelis by Hamas terrorists this week. Various student groups have expressed support for Hamas or their cause while condemning Israel. Black Lives Matter (BLM) chapters have even shown the image below of one of the terrorists who paraglided into Israel where hundreds of civilians were murdered, including babies. Harvard has been a particular flashpoint over strident statements of condemnation of Israel immediately after the attack. The support has led to at least one firm rescinding an offer to a pro-Palestinian NYU law student as well as calls for universities to cut off support for student groups condemning Israel.
We have been following the regular disruption of events on college campuses by students and groups. The latest occurred at Tufts University where pro-abortion groups organized to interrupt a panel that was planned to discuss the moral issues surrounding abortion. These groups and students did not hide their role. The question is whether Tufts will take action to discipline those responsible for blocking the exercise of free speech. Continue reading ““Not Something … Up for Debate”: Tufts University Students Disrupt Panel on Abortion”
In academia, one of the most common criticisms in research and discussions is that correlation does not mean causation. It refers to the logical fallacy for some who draw a cause-and-effect relationship between two events. The logical fallacy is captured in the Latin phrase cum hoc ergo propter hoc (‘with this, therefore because of this’). With the horrific attacks on Israel this week, some well-known commentators have been criticized for using the killing of hundreds by Hamas as a criticism of conservative figures or Republicans in general. That includes the Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin who appeared to blame the GOP for inviting the attack and Professor Laurence Tribe who suggested (and later retracted) that the war was actually a “wag-the-dog” operation by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to distract from corruption allegations. Continue reading “Rubin and Tribe Under Fire for Using the Massacre in Israel for Bizarre Attacks on Political Figures”
We have been following the gradual elimination of common terms deemed offensive or microaggressive. The latest is the word “picnic.” After the University of Nevada Las Vegas law school’s Environmental Law Society announced a picnic, it was renamed “Lunch by the Lake” due to “diversity and inclusion” concerns. The ELS was able to avoid a second correction with a “Lunch in the Field” since “field” has also been found to be offensive at other schools. Continue reading “Law School is No Picnic: Environmental Law Society Pulls References to a Picnic as Offensive” 
A new poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the University of Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression shows that only a fifth of the public believe that conservatives can exercise free speech on campuses. While faculty members often brush aside objections to the erosion of free speech, this poll is consistent with the view of students. What is striking is that such polling and objections have made little difference to administrators and academics who continue to maintain a hostile environment for conservative or libertarian views. Continue reading “Poll: Only 20 Percent of Public Believe Conservatives Enjoy Free Speech Rights on Campuses”
I have the honor of speaking today at Villanova University in Philadelphia as part of their Constitutional Day celebrations. I will be speaking on the recent Supreme Court cases, including the affirmative action decision. Continue reading “Turley Speaks at Villanova on the Supreme Court and the Constitution”
Another pro-life display was attacked on a campus this week with little response from the university. Students who set up a table on pro-life issues ahead of a speech by Vice President Kamala Harris were surrounded and had to be escorted to safety by campus police. What was missing was any indication that the university would punish those students who shut down the display. Continue reading “Pro-Life Display Shut Down at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University” 
We have yet another event cancelled by students who are opposed to allowing others to hear opposing views on campus. Students at Washington College blew whistles and yelled over Princeton University Professor Robertle George to prevent him from speaking. While expressing disapproval, the College has yet to announce any disciplinary action against any student.
J.B. may be the ultimate example of the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) pledge to give up their gun when it is pried from their cold, dead hands. In the case of six-year-old J.B., his gun is his hand. J.B. this week became the latest child to be suspended for pointing a finger gun. In this case, the adults at the Bagley Elementary School in Jefferson County, Alabama believed that a finger gun violated their zero tolerance policy. We have previously discussed the lunacy of the zero tolerance policies under which teachers discipline children by exercising zero thought or judgment.