It’s not a statistic highlighted in college pamphlets or admissions websites, but it’s a data point freshman should think about as they set up their dorm rooms this week: Not all of them have the same chance of graduating. White students are more likely to graduate than African-American students at almost all Michigan universities. And […]
Bridge Staff
Bridge’s mission is to inform Michigan citizens about their state, amplify their views and explore the challenges of our civic life.
Posted inTalent & Education
2013 Michigan Scorecard
CATEGORY2008201020122014Student PerformancePoorPoorPoorPoor4th Grade Math33rd39th41st42nd8th Grade Math37th37th36th37th4th Grade Reading31st31st35th36th8th Grade Reading30th33rd33rd29th4th Grade ScienceNANA28th28th8th Grade ScienceNANA24th18thHigh School CompletionGoodFairGoodGoodGraduation rate75%76%76%76%Drop-out rate15%14%11%11%Adults with a diploma87%89%89%91%K-12 InvestmentGoodFairPoorPoorPer pupil expenditure16th20th24th25thTeacher salary7th9th12th8thCollege completionPoorPoorPoorPoorNational ranking35th35th35th37thCollege affordabilityPoorPoorPoorPoorNational rankingNA47th48th45thHigher education investmentPoorPoorPoorPoorNational ranking37th42nd41st39th JOBS, PROSPERITY AND ECONOMY SCORECARD CATEGORY2008201020122014Personal incomePoorPoorPoorPoorPer capita income ranking36th40th40th35thUnemployment ratePoorPoorPoorPoorUnemployment rate7.9%12.8%9.3%8.7%Job growthPoorPoorGoodGood Job growth ranking49th49th13th4thOverall economic growthPoorPoorGoodFairState GDP growth ranking50th50th13th18thExportsN/AFairGoodGood Exports ranking […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Now hiring: Bridge Magazine seeks senior editor
The Center for Michigan has an immediate opening for a creative, entrepreneurial, senior-level editor to manage and grow Bridge Magazine (www.bridgemi.com). Bridge Magazine is a national award-winning, online publication dedicated to in-depth news and analysis of issues affecting Michigan residents. We focus on the “How” and the “Why” of life in our state, offering scope […]
Posted inTalent & Education
We're hiring: FULL-TIME OPENINGS FOR OUTREACH COORDINATORS
The Center for Michigan has immediate job openings for individuals with excellent communications, networking and organizational skills and a track record of high achievement. If you are passionate about the future of our state, have strong public speaking skills and a working knowledge of current events, we may have an exciting opportunity for you. We […]
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
Guest column: Even in a beleaguered economy, culture affects success
PUT A RING ON IT: Michigan’s economic problems are well-known, but children raised in intact homes can still rise succeed in hard times. (Photo by Flickr user Anthony Kelly; used under Creative Commons license) By Jeffrey Polet The New York Times recently published a comprehensive article on income mobility. The data clearly indicate that income […]
Posted inQuality of Life
VIDEO Q & A: Visions of Michigan's warmer future
What will Michigan’s climate look and feel like decades from now? A Michigan State University climatologist offers his predictions.
Posted inQuality of Life
When your parents tell you the weather wasn't like this when they were kids, they're right
Remember Michigan weather a little differently? You’re not crazy. But the weather sure can be these days. Here are ten recent examples of weather-related mayhem in Michigan… CLICK the map to enlarge CLICK TO ENLARGE
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links: Pensions, safety when studying abroad, and would you pay a penny of sales tax to help college students pay for school?
Conservative thinker and writer Josh Barro prescribes reforms that will displease conservatives and liberals alike when it comes to public pension programs and their weaknesses as exemplified by Detroit. How safe are your college kids when they study abroad? Probably safer than they used to be. More and more universities are hiring “risk managers” to […]
Posted inTalent & Education
New 2-1-1 phone program connects parents in need with local preschool enrollment offices this August
(Bridge illustration/A.J. Jonews) If you have a 4-year-old child and live in a household with low or moderate income, you are one call away from a great opportunity for your family. Michigan’s preschool program, Great Start Readiness, is a proven way to provide key social and learning skills that can greatly help young children […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Bridge Magazine apologizes to Speaker Jase Bolger
Dear Bridge Readers, This letter is a public apology to Jase Bolger, Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives. We are apologizing for poor judgment in the handling of a recent guest column Mr. Bolger published in Bridge. Mr. Bolger has not formally requested this apology. But, in the final analysis, we think we owe […]