By Gary Sands Since the new Legislature convened in January, more than 40 bills related to public education have been introduced. These bills cover a wide range of topics, from funding for pre-kindergarten programs to high school graduation requirements. There is clearly widespread interest in maintaining and improving the quality of elementary and secondary education […]
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 inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Sunshine obscured by smog
By Rich Robinson/Michigan Campaign Finance Network “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” — Luke 12: 48 Dear State Officeholder: Please set aside the archaic sexism of the verse I’ve quoted to introduce this letter. Our […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Michigan’s Great Start preschool program helps children learn
By Lawrence J. Schweinhart/HighScope Educational Research Foundation Dear Michigan Legislator: In recent testimony before committees of the Michigan House of Representatives, Michael Van Beek of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy challenged the evidence supporting expansion and improvement of Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program. As director of the Great Start Readiness Program Evaluation and the […]
Posted inTalent & Education
School experts wrestle with choice, early ed policies (with video)
A capacity audience of parents and education leaders turned out for a televised townhall in Wixom Wednesday, co-hosted by the Center for Michigan and Detroit Public Television. The agenda of the session was to review and analyze the findings in CFM’s latest report, “The Public’s Agenda for Public Education: How Michigan citizens want to improve […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Expanding preschool is first step in education advance
By Michele Corey/Michigan’s Children Advocates across the state are rejoicing in Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed $65 million expansion ($130 million over two years) for the Great Start Readiness Program– Michigan’s public preschool program for 4-year-olds at-risk of being under-prepared for kindergarten. Credit is due to the Center for Michigan and Bridge Magazine for bringing additional […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Mapping Michigan’s growth in 2011
While Michigan has 83 counties and hundreds upon hundreds of communities, when it comes to economics, the only number that really matters is 14. That figure represents the “metropolitan statistical areas” defined by the federal government as cohesive economic units. Those 14 places – sometimes a single county, sometimes multiple counties – account for nearly […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
How did your city’s economy do in 2011?
PICTURE OF PROGRESS: Downtown Grand Rapids and the rest of the Grand Rapids-Wyoming MSA posted a 2.3 percent growth rate in 2011, matching the statewide figure. (Bridge archive photo) The Holland-Grand Haven area had the best 2011 when it came to economic growth in 2011 – at least as it compared to 2010. Still, though, […]
Posted inTalent & Education
School experts, parents will review K-12 report in televised townhall
On March 6 the Center for Michigan will host a televised townhall meeting in partnership with Detroit Public Television on the future of education in Michigan to discuss the nonprofit think tank’s latest report: “The Public’s Agenda for Public Education: How Michigan citizens want to improve student learning.” This event will be aired live from […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Make businesses pay their fair share for schools, roads, universities
By Rep. Pam Faris Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan, recently proposed a three-point plan to get Michigan moving. Rothwell’s plan applauds Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed budget for fiscal 2014, acknowledging his investments in pre-K education, community colleges and higher education and the rebuilding of our infrastructure. While I agree that […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Why is education establishment resisting school reform?
By Peter B. Ruddell/Wiener Associates It’s about the kids, not the district. Despite the Center for Michigan’s recent report and Michigan’s mediocre (but improving) education achievement, the entrenched education establishment is arguing the status quo is good for kids. This time the arguments come high atop the traditional education establishment’s ivory tower – from David […]
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