US Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Michigan should join 27 other states in a program that lets taxpayers pour money into scholarships for students to attend public or private schools.
Talent & Education
To prosper, Michigan must be a more educated place. Bridge will explore the challenges in education and identify policies and initiatives that address them.
Watch: Schools, literacy in focus as Bridge Listens joins WJR
Readers have spoken and education is a top concern in the 2026 election. In the first of a regular collaboration, Bridge Michigan joined WJR’s Kevin Dietz to discuss school funding, local control and unions.
Michigan pits small, big schools for funding. It’s an unfair fight, leaders say
Michigan increasingly requires schools to apply for grants to fund special programs like career tech. That may disadvantage small schools, where superintendents complete applications between plowing school and substitute teaching.
Up North Michigan, schools struggle between pull of home and promise of college
Students’ stark choice in northern Michigan: Go to college and never come back — or stay with smaller paychecks. That’s put school districts in a conundrum about how best to educate them.
Bridge Listens: Can Michigan fix its education woes? What to know
Bridge readers say education is a huge concern. We break down the facts, the trends and possible solutions.
Michigan lawmakers push reading training for future teachers to improve scores
Michigan lawmakers continue to discuss ways to address low student reading scores. One idea is to require more training before teachers begin working in the classroom.
Northern Michigan school bans screens to boost literacy. Will it work?
Mesick’s superintendent hopes his ‘no screens literacy initiative’ will improve standardized test scores and help students engage with books.
Group halts ‘tax the rich’ ballot effort to raise funds for Michigan schools
A coalition of education groups had hoped to raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for schools. On Thursday, the group said it doesn’t ‘see a path forward’ to getting enough signatures to make the ballot.
Bridge Listens Issues Watch kicks off with virtual discussion about schools
Join Bridge reporters on March 25 as they discuss education challenges and candidates’ solutions to plummeting scores and more.
New Michigan program aims to train, retain more early childhood teachers
Finding and keeping enough child care workers is a challenge. A new state-funded effort aims to raise wages, train workers and keep them in Michigan classrooms.