Ypsilanti is like a lot of Michigan school districts: lots of struggling young readers and not nearly enough tutors to help them catch up. Federal pandemic funds are available, but staffing levels remain a hindrance.
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
Book bans move from sex to war, as west Michigan school removes ‘Jarhead’
The Hudsonville Public Schools has pulled the Gulf War memoir over concerns it is too violent. ‘It’s a book about war,’ the author says.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan Democrats want to give teachers more say in classroom assignments
In a set of union-backed bills, Democrats would give teachers a stronger voice in the classes they teach, and would make evaluations subject to bargaining. Superintendents say the bills would put union seniority ahead of what’s best for students.
Posted inTalent & Education
Grand Rapids schools add backpack ban after gun found in third-grader’s bag
Grand Rapids Public Schools is adding a backpack ban after confiscating a gun from a student. The superintendent says it’s a ‘drastic’ but necessary step.
Posted inTalent & Education
New report provides safety recommendations for Oxford High after shooting
The report found current security levels at the school are appropriate and surpass those at most schools. But it also recommended some additional steps, including more consistent questions about access to weapons for students undergoing threat assessments.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan State shooting update: John Hao attends 76ers game as guest of star James Harden
The latest reliable news about the Feb. 13 shooting that killed three students and injured five others before the suspected gunman killed himself.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan Democrats look to change teacher evaluation system
Michigan teachers will no longer be evaluated based on student test scores under legislation being prepared by Democratic leaders. Critics say the current system should be tweaked, not scrapped.
Posted inTalent & Education
Ballmer and Wilson groups give $30M to metro Detroit community colleges
What can $30 million do to help Southeast Michigan residents? Two philanthropy groups are hoping it will increase college access and graduation and strengthen ties to local employers.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan State to raise room and board; still won’t release Nassar docs
First-year MSU students will have to pay nearly 7 percent more for dorm rooms and meals than current first-year students, based on rising food and energy costs. MSU continues to withhold records on serial sexual abuser Larry Nassar, citing attorney-client privilege.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan State University hires firm to review mass shooting response
An Ohio firm will assess MSU’s response to a campus shooting that killed three students. The deal will cost about $194,000.