Tracie Mauriello, Chalkbeat Detroit

MSU researchers found the negative effects of remote learning persisted even after students returned to classrooms last year, though these performance gaps shrunk once most classrooms reopened.

The Democratic governor cites unprecedented investments in public schools during her first term. But her aggressive COVID pandemic policies, including school closures, have fueled conservative attacks on her leadership.

The GOP nominee for governor leans strongly into culture-war issues that are now Republican mainstream, including restrictions on LGBTQ books and critical race theory. Parents, she said, are too often left out of school curriculum decisions.

Superintendents will be counting Michigan students Oct. 5, but many children will be out of school observing a major Jewish holiday. It’s a crucial day for Michigan school districts trying to maximize state funding, but this year it coincides with Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year when the observant fast, pray, and abstain from work and school.

Dixon favors school choice and a tougher 3rd-grade reading law, along with culture-war takes on drag queens and transgender sports eligibility. Whitmer supports policies that help retain teachers and provide robust funding for public schools.

The candidates discuss school safety, pandemic-related issues, teacher retention, and how they differentiate themselves from their four ballot rivals ahead of the Tuesday primary.

Legislative loose ends: Bills on teaching race, paying student teachers, creating dyslexia programs were still winding their way through the Michigan statehouse when lawmakers adjourned for the summer.

East Kentwood High School in suburban Grand Rapids is one of several Michigan high schools identifying students who may be interested in the teaching profession and giving them a taste for leading a classroom.

Programming and personal finance classes would count toward graduation requirements under pending legislation. Backers say it would better prepare students; foes say computers are no substitute for language.

State police believe OK2SAY has stopped suicides, assaults, vandalism, and worse.

Kindergarten enrollment was down 11.3 percent across Michigan last year as parents chose to keep their students home rather than face the COVID health risk.

The group behind the petition drive intends to work with the GOP Legislature to evade a veto by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Critics say it’s another GOP effort to use public money for private schools that runs afoul of the Michigan Constitution.

The GOP measures blocking mask and vaccine orders are likely DOA if they reach Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Republicans say the bills give parents control over health decisions. Democrats say they ignore science.

The debate pits education advocates who want independent control of their school-year calendars against tourism leaders who want to ensure families can book vacations through Labor Day.

Count Day stands to look different than it did in the spring, as Michigan school district leaders worry they will lose funding for students who are in quarantine.

Teacher training could soon include instruction on recognizing signs of mental struggles. Advocates say these skills are more needed than ever given the added strain the pandemic placed on children and adolescents.

A GOP House bill takes aim at critical race theory; the notion that the legacies of slavery and racism are baked into the nation’s laws and many of its institutions. Opponents contend such measures are an effort to prevent honest classroom discussion about race.

Poll from the Skillman Foundation indicates that voters want more spending on career exposure, job training, mental health resources, child care and expanded learning time.