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To prosper, Michigan must be a more educated place. Bridge will explore the challenges in education and identify policies and initiatives that address them.
Articles
Michigan spent $80 million to improve early reading. Scores went down.
Under a new law, in two years thousands of Michigan's third graders will flunk if they are more than a year behind in reading skills if the state can't turn current trends to the positive. How did this happen?
See if reading scores are down in your Michigan district
Bridge Magazine’s reading tool will show whether your child’s district is suffering third-grade reading declines, a trend that could leave plenty of future third graders to repeat the grade.
Scores in one West Michigan school district typify state’s malaise
Allegan Public Schools was among dozens of districts that showed little student growth in a Stanford study. Its story is the story of public education across Michigan.
Should Michigan ease teaching standards to lure career-tech instructors?
State aims to fill career-tech teaching shortage by recruiting non-teachers with industry experience to the classroom. Can it work?
Academic State Champs: Poverty doesn’t always predict school success in Michigan
This year, Bridge honors school districts where students grow the most from third to eighth grade. The new measure comes from groundbreaking research that tips conventional wisdom on its head.
Interactive chart: See how wealth affects achievement in Michigan schools
Check out these cool bubble charts that show the interplay between income and achievement in 500 Michigan school districts.
See how your Michigan school district compares on academic growth
Use this database to search growth from third to eighth grades, and compare districts compare with their neighbors and ones with similar socioeconomics statewide in Michigan.
Academic State Champs: Top 10 large Michigan school districts for growth
Use this slideshow to see where students in school districts with more than 4,000 students grew the most from third to eighth grade
Academic State Champs: Top 10 mid-sized Michigan school districts for growth
Use this slideshow to see where students in school districts with 1,300 to 4,000 students grew the most from third to eighth grade
Academic State Champs: Top 10 small Michigan school districts for growth
Use this slideshow to see where students in school districts with less than 1,300 students grew the most from third to eighth grade.
Doubts on Engler at MSU, but higher-ed support shouldn’t be one of them
The former governor helped to give far more to Michigan’s public universities than his Democratic and Republican successors
Why Michigan needs newcomers. Told in 5 data maps.
Michigan’s economy would improve if more adults had diplomas. Why our future may depend on immigrants and other transplants.
Michigan is shortening school assessment tests – by reducing writing
Many say students spend too much time taking state tests. But some question whether dropping math and critical thinking questions sends the right message.
Michigan high school counselors to get training in college and career advice
A bill expected to be signed today by Gov. Rick Snyder is a small step toward improved access to college ‒ if schools’ understaffed counselors can find time to pass on career advice.
U-M asks, ‘Where are the poor kids?’
It may be a world-renowned university, but the University of Michigan has yet to figure out how to get more low-income students to enroll. The solution may come down to a one-word marketing tweak: Free
Text messages and rap videos. How the state is telling poor students they too can afford college.
It sounds like a mix between Big Brother and Helicopter Mom, but a three-year-old state program that helps guide first-generation college students and their families through the maze of financial aid may help Michigan increase low-income college enrollment.
In Michigan, path to elite colleges flows through richer high schools (interactive map)
Which schools produce the most Spartans, Wolverines and Ivy Leaguers? Map showing where high schoolers attend college contains some surprises.
Database: Where do students from YOUR Michigan school attend college?
Interactive database allows users to examine, compare where last year’s graduating class is attending college.
Michigan college students are binging on booze. Time for more kegs?
When Michigan turned off the tap at underage parties, binge drinking became more dangerous. Some say it’s time to go back to kegs.