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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.
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As more students head back, here’s what we now know (and still don’t) about schools and COVID spread
There has been no effort from the federal government to systematically track school openings and COVID outbreaks. That means we are often relying on data from those who volunteer it, and lack good information about how schools that have reopened might differ from those that have not.
After years of state oversight, commission gives financial control back to Detroit district
The Detroit Financial Review Commission voted Monday to release the Detroit Public Schools Community District from state financial oversight until the end of 2021, a crucial step in the district’s efforts to control its budget and finances.
COVID outbreaks slowing at Michigan K-12 schools, dropping at colleges
There are outbreaks in 99 Michigan school buildings, and more than 4,400 cases on college campuses. Still, there were signs the spread was slowing or receding in the past week.
Michigan Christian school shut over COVID, files ‘religious liberty’ suit
Libertas Christian School in Hudsonville says health rules infringe on its religious liberties and free speech. Health officials say two teachers tested positive for COVID-19 and the school won’t cooperate with contact tracers.
Despite rise in COVID, Michigan State to offer more classes, dorm housing
Saying coronavirus cases are the result of off-campus partying rather than classroom interaction, MSU is moving aggressively to increase in-person classes and on-campus housing beginning in January.
West Michigan schools to community: Mask up for COVID or we close down
In an unusually blunt letter expressing the limits of their ability to control COVID-19 spread, 46 school superintendents pleaded with their communities to mask-up to help keep schools open.
As COVID spreads, University of Michigan’s 31,000 undergrads ordered to stay home
In issuing the order, which runs until Election Day, local health and university officials are trying to rein in student social gatherings in an effort to flatten a spike in coronavirus cases. But, hey, football games will go on.
Why it still matters whether Michigan K-12 students contract COVID
Very few young people infected by COVID-19 become seriously ill. But public health experts say the transmission of the virus among healthy students can endanger more vulnerable Michiganders.
COVID outbreaks in Michigan schools rise 25 percent in a week
There are outbreaks in 84 Michigan schools in 31 counties, and college cases top 5,000, says a state report released Monday.
Michigan college freshman enrollment drops amid COVID. Will they return?
Michigan’s public universities and community colleges report thousands fewer college freshmen, echoing national trends. Studies show that many students who do not go directly to college never enroll.
Cheer the MSU Spartans! At home. Preferably alone. Welcome to COVID game day
College football is back. Game Day celebrations, not so much. Michigan State University’s president is discouraging fans from gathering to watch the opening game.
Coronavirus cases surpass 5,000 in Michigan schools, colleges
Cases on college campuses continue to rise, but the good news is that K-12 schools continue to have few COVID-19 infections. Parents also can now get faster disclosure of coronavirus cases in their local schools.
Michigan re-orders schools to disclose COVID cases after Supreme Court ruling
The administration of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is moving quickly to reinstate a school coronavirus reporting mandate that was struck down Friday by the state’s high court.
COVID masks can still be required in Michigan schools, despite ruling
How does Friday’s Supreme Court ruling upending Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency power authority impact coronavirus mandates in Michigan schools? We answer some of your major questions.
Michigan schools still struggle with public disclosure of COVID cases
How much you’ll learn about coronavirus cases in your student’s school depends on where you live. A Bridge Michigan analysis shows parents still can’t depend on schools or local health departments to voluntarily alert them to outbreaks.
A rural Michigan district has 15 COVID cases, one death, and few answers
Health officials say the school followed safety protocols, and the cases that suddenly proliferated in Carson City show how a coronavirus outbreak can happen anywhere. The district has ended in-person classes.
COVID outbreaks spiking in Michigan K-12 schools and colleges
The number of K-12 schools with coronavirus outbreaks jumped from 28 to 46 schools in just a week. And there are now over 3,800 confirmed cases at colleges and universities across Michigan, numbers that are likely an undercount.
Michigan Tech, Houghton County move to online learning amid COVID
COVID-19 cases have quintupled in Houghton County in the western Upper Peninsula this month. The halt to in-person learning is scheduled to extend to Oct. 12.
MSU, U-M, Wayne State presidents: Don’t expect in-person classes until fall 2021
College students better keep recharging their laptops. Classes are likely to remain online rather than in-person for the full 2020-21 academic year at the University of Michigan, Wayne State and Michigan State.
Michigan State, U-M change reporting to disclose more campus COVID cases
The number of coronavirus cases on the Michigan State University website since Aug. 24 jumped to 1,219 Thursday, two days after Ingham County health officer Linda Vail noted the website was significantly undercounting MSU-related cases. U-M boosts its reporting too.