Some worker shortages hurt more than others, and state leaders are rushing to try to make it easier to fill vacancies from paramedics to special ed teachers.
Isabel Lohman
Isabel Lohman reports on early childhood, K-12 and higher education for Bridge Michigan, tracking how policies made in Lansing affect students and educators. She has closely reported on literacy, absenteeism and special education. Isabel was a finalist for the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit's 2026 Young Journalist of the Year award. Before joining Bridge, she covered children's issues for the Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee, reporting on COVID-19 in schools and communities coping with gun violence.
Isabel grew up outside of Chicago and has a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri. She moved to Ann Arbor in 2022.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Finding a fix for Michigan’s special education teacher shortage
Michigan schools do not have enough special education teachers, leaving many students without the services they need. Higher pay may help, as would lowering barriers for college students to teach in the speciality.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan third-graders still struggle with reading, more supports needed
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.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
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 inMichigan Education Watch
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 inMichigan Education Watch
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 inMichigan Education Watch
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 inMichigan Education Watch
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 inMichigan Education Watch
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 inMichigan Education Watch
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.
