Michigan Democrats cap a 19-hour marathon session with approval of an education budget they say will put money back into classrooms. Some school groups opposed the plan, along with all Republicans.
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 inMichigan Government
Michigan budget deal in limbo as schools blast plan, warn of layoffs
Will Michigan leaders pass an education budget deal Wednesday? School groups say a budget deal will harm schools and lead to layoffs.
Posted inMichigan Government
The $670 million question blocking a Michigan budget deal
Should $670 million in retiree health care savings go directly to schools, teachers or the state? A disagreement among Democrats has slowed a Michigan budget deal as lawmakers prepare for summer recess.
Posted inMichigan Government
Private preschools fear cuts, closures under ‘gut punch’ Michigan plans
As Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushes free preschool for all, private providers are worried that state House and Senate plans could force them to close instead of expand service.
Posted inTalent & Education
FAFSA filings down at Michigan universities. Will enrollment follow?
Fewer Michigan students have applied for aid after the federal government’s botched FAFSA rollout. University officials say they are still ‘cautiously optimistic’ about enrollment.
Posted inTalent & Education
Feds: Michigan failed students in special education during COVID. What's next?
Michigan students who receive special education services could be in line for more COVID-19 make-up help after a federal investigation found the state failed to ensure they received an “appropriate” education.
Posted inTalent & Education
Wayne State University police dismantle encampment; 12 arrested
Wayne State police moved in to clear the encampment at 5:30 a.m. Thursday. Twelve people were arrested. Protesters continued demonstrating on a street nearby.
Posted inTalent & Education
More students graduating in four years from Michigan public universities
While universities have struggled with enrollment in recent years, there’s a glimmer of hope: More students are completing their degrees or certificates within four years.
Posted inTalent & Education
Four arrested as University of Michigan breaks up pro-Palestinian encampment
Police at the University of Michigan ‘removed’ a student encampment Tuesday morning and arrested four people following a month-long protest over the Israel-Hamas war. Student groups say multiple people were injured by chemical spray.
Posted inTalent & Education
Ann Arbor Public Schools approves $20.4 million in cuts over parent protests
The cuts follow pay raises and an enrollment drop, upsetting parents who wanted administrators to share the pain in order to save teachers, world language and music programs.