Costs unknown as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer widens push for free community college to all high school graduates.
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
Whitmer State of the State 2024: Did she meet last year's goals?
As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer prepares her 2024 State of the State address, did she accomplish her 2023 goals? Bridge Michigan analyzes the success of her priorities over the last year.
Posted inTalent & Education
Whitmer administration chides schools chief for sitting on literacy funds
The Whitmer administration publicly admonished State Superintendent Michael Rice for failing to distribute $140 million earmarked for teacher literacy training nearly six months after the money was awarded.
Posted inTalent & Education
Northville board approves seeking funding for 2 in-school health clinics
The board voted 6-1 to seek funding. Some parents objected to the clinics because in addition to mental-health support they would offer a range of physical health services for which students may not need parental consent.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan school closings: how superintendents make decisions on snow days
Now that Michigan’s winter is in full effect and snow storms and other severe weather events become more common, superintendents have to consider a number of things before canceling school.
Posted inTalent & Education
Some Michigan parents question whether schools should have health clinics
At a board hearing in Northville, some parents objected to putting health clinics in schools, echoing concerns in other districts based in part on parental rights. Clinic supporters say the centers are critical to student health.
Posted inTalent & Education
New FAFSA form: What MI students need to know about 2024-2025 application
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form helps determine whether students are eligible for college loans, scholarships and grants. A new version of the FAFSA was just unveiled. Here’s what to know.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan needs teachers. Melvindale high school students explore the career
A high school elective is giving students an early, hands-on taste of what it’s like to lead a classroom — from managing young students to drawing up lesson plans. Michigan needs more people willing to train to be educators.
Posted inTalent & Education
After pandemic dip, Michigan universities see bump in freshman enrollment
College and university enrollment suffered during the pandemic. But numbers from this fall show some schools are starting to turn the tide.
Posted inTalent & Education
Lawyers: MSU to pay $15M to families of 3 students killed in campus attack
Alexandria Verner, 20, Arielle Diamond Anderson, 19, and Brian Fraser, 20, died in the February attack. Their families had raised questions about campus security. The settlements will give each family $5 million.