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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
As deadline passes, Benton Harbor and state negotiate fate of high school
Friday was supposed to be the day Benton Harbor learned if its high school would remain open. Instead, the district and Michigan officials may still be seeking a resolution other than dissolving the district.
Whitmer faces some backlash over Benton Harbor High closing
The governor is getting pushback from city activists. Meanwhile, it appears the administration may be able to dissolve the district without help from the Legislature if local officials balk at closing the high school.
Five years in, Michigan passes social studies standards as conservatives fume
With a few last tweaks (adding the Ten Commandments and a reference to sturgeon), Michigan’s controversial social studies standards are approved by a Democratic-leaning state education board
Albion lost its high school; students did better. Is Benton Harbor next?
The anguish Benton Harbor is undergoing now was felt by Albion residents six years ago. Today, Albion students, attending a high school 13 miles away, are graduating at a higher clip.
Whitmer plan to boost funds for neediest K-12 students hits wall in Lansing
The Republican-controlled Senate and House leave the Democratic governor’s big school reform effort out of their education budget proposals.
Anguish in Benton Harbor as years of mistakes lead to a school’s likely demise
Teachers blame administrators. Administrators blame the board. The board blames the state. Caught in the middle are students saddled with devastatingly low rates of achievement.
Candidate Whitmer: A right to literacy. As Michigan Guv: No need to address.
During the 2018 campaign for governor, Gretchen Whitmer supported a lawsuit to guarantee students’ right to literacy. Now that she’s in office, she is asking a federal appeals court to dismiss the case.
Michigan is investing heavily in early reading. So far, it’s not working.
Only three intermediate school districts out of 56 in Michigan are showing increases in third-grade reading. A leading educator asks for patience.
Poll: parents don’t know Michigan's 3rd-grade reading law, love A-to-F school grades
Parents care about improving Michigan schools. But they aren’t hung up on the “controversies” in Lansing’s education circles, according to a new poll.
Six times more third-graders may flunk next year under Michigan reading law
More than 5,000 students may be flagged to repeat third grade under a new law intended to ensure solid reading skills at a key age. That number sounds high, but it could have been far higher.
Will Michigan 3rd- grade reading law hurt poor? Florida’s history says yes
Students from less advantaged families are more likely to be held back under Florida’s third-grade reading law than white, more affluent kids with the same low reading scores. A similar Michigan law begins this fall.
Reader FAQ: Does Michigan Lottery money really go to schools?
Michiganders often express skepticism that state lottery money earmarked for schools actually goes to, you know, schools. Bridge offers insight to the most frequently asked lottery conspiracy theories.
Michigan’s next superintendent led gains in Kalamazoo, fought GOP policies
Michael Rice boosted low-income gains and has experience outside Michigan. And he doesn’t shy away from fights, which could lead to fireworks with the Legislature in his new post as the state school chief.
With schools flailing, Michigan seeks new leader from in-state. Again.
The three finalists to be Michigan’s next state superintendent are all Michigan connected. And did we mention that in 183 years Michigan has never had a female full-time state superintendent?
Comparing Michigan school superintendent finalists by test scores
Three people are finalists to be the next state superintendent. What do the test scores of students under their leadership say about whether they could turn around Michigan’s flailing schools?
Betsy DeVos: Michigan doesn’t have enough school choice
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos says Michigan needs more choice, despite mixed record of charter schools.
One finalist drops out, one added, to be next Michigan school superintendent
Boston steals a superintendent finalist from Michigan’s final three list.
Should algebra 2 be required? Michigan legislator says no. Research says yes
A bill allowing students to opt out of algebra 2 for other, more practical math classes has been introduced in the Michigan Legislature a month after a study lauded the positive impact of the requirement.
Michigan has 1.6M college dropouts. Debt forgiveness may lure them back.
Oakland and Wayne State universities and Henry Ford College are forgiving small debts for onetime students who re-enroll. Early efforts have shown modest success.
Q&A: How Michigan social studies became a ‘pawn in partisan games’
The state education official in charge of the five-year odyssey to update school social studies standards is tired of her department being used as a political punching bag