Michigan lawmakers approved a third-grade reading law in 2016 aimed at improving literacy instruction across the state. But years later, too many students still read below grade level.
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 Democrats loosen teacher evaluation metrics
Democrats are close to completing one of their education priorities: changing the teacher evaluation system by making evaluations less reliant on how students perform on tests.
Posted inTalent & Education
How Michigan schools are trying to attract 1,000 or more new bus drivers
The state is pumping millions of dollars into the education budget to help school districts fill bus driver vacancies. Even so, pay remains a hurdle, so some districts offer gas cards, rideshares and public transport options.
Posted inTalent & Education
Oxford shooting probe: Three takeaways to improve Michigan school safety
A lengthy report faults administrators for failing to adhere to threat assessment policies and training before the 2021 Oxford High School shooting. Michigan superintendents say they’ve already learned from the tragedy.
Posted inTalent & Education
What Michigan State asked, and didn’t ask, in its review of campus shooting
In the aftermath of the Feb. 13 mass shooting, MSU encouraged an Ohio firm to focus on what the school ‘handled well’ in its response. It did not directly ask what failed. Experts say a warts-and-all review would have better served the university.
Posted inTalent & Education
What to do about mess at MSU? Some Michigan leaders say ditch elected board
After years of infighting and controversy, there are renewed calls to allow the governor to appoint board members for Michigan’s largest public universities. Currently, they are elected by state voters.
Posted inTalent & Education
Financial info of students, alumni compromised by August data breach, U-M says
The University of Michigan is warning that thousands of students, employees and others’ information may have been compromised during an August data breach.
Posted inTalent & Education
Report on deadly MSU shootings offers little insight into campus probe
A new report outlines what Michigan State University can do to improve campus safety following a February shooting that killed 3 students and injured 5 others. But it offered few details into its 8-month probe.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan council hears bold (if vague) ideas to solve population crisis
What will it take to attract more people to work, live and stay in Michigan? Several groups presented their ideas Thursday afternoon.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan looks to soften teacher evaluations. Will it help or hurt students?
A decade ago, Michigan made student performance on tests a component of teacher evals. But students continued to struggle, and teachers kept getting good evaluations. Will new bills improve student performance?