A new Michigan program guarantees free community college – but only if you live in a community college district, and 1 in 5 students don’t.
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
Michigan touts 'free pre-K for all.' It's more complicated than that
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan is providing ‘access to free pre-K for every 4-year-old.’ But less than half of eligible kids are expected to enroll.
Posted inTalent & Education
Tiny Bois Blanc hires long-term substitute teacher for one-room schoolhouse
The tiny district has hired an island resident — who’s also a custodian and real estate agent — as its long-term substitute teacher. The district plans to use a ‘grow your own’ program to help her earn teaching credentials.
Posted inTalent & Education
Wanted: Teacher on remote Michigan island. Can’t leave in winter without plane
On the four-student school on Bois Blanc Island, classes are set to resume soon. The one problem: There’s no teacher.
Posted inTalent & Education
One year later, Michigan starts helping teachers repay student loans
Michigan will help cover student loan payments for about 8,460 educators in the first round of a $250 million program. Many districts didn’t apply on behalf of their teachers, so only $17 million went out last month.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan school funding bump varies by district. See how much yours will get
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says the new state budget will mean an average $400 per pupil increase for Michigan schools. Education leaders say it’s a little more complicated.
Posted inTalent & Education
Free Michigan community college guarantee starts this fall. What to know
The cost of college can be a barrier for students to pursue higher education. A new Michigan program expands student access to tuition-free community college.
Posted inTalent & Education
School officials ‘appalled’ by Michigan budget cut to mental health, safety
Michigan’s new education budget includes $25 million in dedicated funding for student mental health and school safety — but that’s $301.5 million less than last year.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan college graduates make $33,400 more, but fewer students attending
High sticker prices and a fear of debt may be prompting Michigan high school students to opt out of college. National data suggests getting a college degree is still worth it.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan students fell behind during COVID. Their recovery lags other states
New research finds Michigan students have been slower to recover from pandemic learning losses than peers in most other states.