US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is telling states that the time to spend COVID relief funds is over. More than 25 Michigan districts could be on the hook for a combined $42 million in spending.
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
U-M halts DEI plans as Trump administration takes aim at diversity efforts
President Donald Trump has made clear he does not support diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The University of Michigan just reversed its DEI stance.
Posted inTalent & Education
Trump orders end to Department of Education. What it means for Michigan
President Donald Trump is taking steps to further shrink the Department of Education’s influence in education.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan districts brace for cuts, as number of needy students falls
The number of students considered ‘economically disadvantaged’ students in Michigan fell 7.5% this year. That means millions less for schools, even if the finances of the students’ families haven’t necessarily changed.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan spent millions lowering college costs. Enrollment has barely budged
Last year, Michigan invested well over $100 million in student scholarships. Even so, the rate of high school grads going to college is still below pre-pandemic levels.
Posted inTalent & Education
U-M, Grand Valley targeted for civil rights probes by Trump administration
The Trump administration announced new civil rights investigations into two universities in Michigan.
Posted inTalent & Education
How Michigan may be impacted by Trump plan to gut Department of Education
The president intends to slash in half the number of employees in the department starting March 21. What cutting the agency does — and doesn’t — mean for states, college loans and services to disabled students.
Posted inTalent & Education
Trump admin to University of Michigan: Stop antisemitism, or face 'enforcement'
Trump administration warns 60 schools — including University of Michigan — they must do more to protect Jewish students from discrimination after pro-Palestinian protests over the Israel-Hamas war.
Posted inTalent & Education
Facing deadline to end DEI, Michigan schools ask crucial question: What is DEI?
What is DEI? Leaders say it depends who you ask. But federal funding to schools could be on the line.
Posted inTalent & Education
U-M squeezed by Trump cuts; Social Security research project halted
U-M is part of a halted, $15M research project that conducts Social Security research. University president Santa Ono tells staff to expect ‘significant repercussions’ due to federal cuts.