The governor-elect wants to raise minimum teacher salaries to $60,000, but one of her biggest allies — the Michigan Education Association — isn’t yet on board. Others are also raising questions.
Isabel Lohman
Isabel Lohman reports on early childhood, K-12 and higher education for Bridge Michigan, tracking how policies made in Lansing affect students and educators. She has closely reported on literacy, absenteeism and special education. Isabel was a finalist for the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit's 2026 Young Journalist of the Year award. Before joining Bridge, she covered children's issues for the Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee, reporting on COVID-19 in schools and communities coping with gun violence.
Isabel grew up outside of Chicago and has a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri. She moved to Ann Arbor in 2022.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Report: Funding, opportunity gaps hurting educational progress in Michigan
At an event in Detroit Tuesday morning, EdTrust-Midwest shared many concerning metrics about Michigan schools. Leaders say the state must invest deeply into districts with high concentrations of poverty and lean into literacy reforms to see change.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Parents of Michigan students with disabilities demand special education reforms
More than 75 people attended a meeting Monday night focused on what the state can do to improve special education. Many shared personal stories of their students.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Majority of Michigan school bonds pass in Nov. election. Look up your district
Forty-two school bonds were on Tuesday’s ballot. About 60% passed.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Now, the hard part: Jocelyn Benson has big plans. Michigan has big problems
From low reading scores and sagging wages and an aging population, Michigan faces a host of challenges identified by readers through Bridge Listens. What to expect from the governor-elect.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Michigan elections: Incumbents reelected to Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan’s highest court is led by a 6-1 liberal majority, but two positions were on the ballot on Tuesday.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Michigan elections: Democrats sweep State Board of Education, university board races
Michigan voters decide members of partisan education boards for K-12 education and some public universities.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan elections: School districts seeking nearly $4 billion in bonds
School districts are asking voters to borrow money for infrastructure projects. Leaders say they know families are facing increased household costs, but their options are limited.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan wants to scrap rarely used special ed rule. Child advocates fear harm
The state Department of Education can mandate that students with disabilities ‘stay put’ in their school settings while it investigates special ed complaints. A plan to remove that provision has sparked an outcry.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
To fix Michigan schools, experts urge better reading skills, less politics
A group of education experts urged audience members at the Bridge Michigan Issues Summit to volunteer in schools, vote for candidates who value education and set aside individual differences to work toward a common plan to improve schools.