Federal student loans are getting a shake up with new borrowing limits and repayment rules. Here’s what to know.
Isabel Lohman
Isabel reports on early childhood, K-12 and higher education for Bridge Michigan. She loves visiting schools and analyzing how policies made in Lansing affect students and educators. Previously, she was the children’s issues reporter for the Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee. There, she reported on the state's third-largest public school district's COVID-19 response and how a community copes after losing teenagers to gun violence. Isabel grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and has also lived in Missouri, Tennessee and Belgium. Isabel moved to Ann Arbor in January 2022 where she experienced her first Michigan winter. She has a warm winter hat with a snap-on puff ball. You can reach Isabel at ilohman@bridgemi.com.
Posted inTalent & Education
US Education Secretary McMahon urges Whitmer to join schools tax credit plan
US Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Michigan should join 27 other states in a program that lets taxpayers pour money into scholarships for students to attend public or private schools.
Posted inTalent & Education
Bridge Listens: Can Michigan fix its education woes? What to know
Bridge readers say education is a huge concern. We break down the facts, the trends and possible solutions.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan lawmakers push reading training for future teachers to improve scores
Michigan lawmakers continue to discuss ways to address low student reading scores. One idea is to require more training before teachers begin working in the classroom.
Posted inTalent & Education
Group halts ‘tax the rich’ ballot effort to raise funds for Michigan schools
A coalition of education groups had hoped to raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for schools. On Thursday, the group said it doesn’t ‘see a path forward’ to getting enough signatures to make the ballot.
Posted inTalent & Education
New Michigan program aims to train, retain more early childhood teachers
Finding and keeping enough child care workers is a challenge. A new state-funded effort aims to raise wages, train workers and keep them in Michigan classrooms.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan may require intensive reading training for elementary teachers
As elected officials try to address low reading scores, one idea has bipartisan support: require teachers to take a specific ‘science of reading’ training. But lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are concerned about the time commitment it would take from teachers.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan bill would require schools to teach water safety in gym class
A bill would make water safety instruction part of the PE curriculum. Advocates say schools play a vital role in keeping children and teens safe in and around water.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan gives grants to districts that require students to fill out FAFSA
For a second year, Michigan has offered school districts funds to require students to complete a federal financial aid form. Districts must offer an opt-out option.
Posted inTalent & Education
Gretchen Whitmer wants to boost literacy in Michigan. Here’s what to know
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is calling for several programs to improve educational performance in Michigan. Here’s a breakdown of what’s been done so far.