Community colleges sustain the biggest drop, but the percentage of recent high school graduates at four-year schools remains well below pre-COVID levels.
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
Gretchen Whitmer: Expand Michigan Reconnect program for community college
The Michigan Reconnect program currently pays for students age 25 and over to attend their in-district community college tuition free. Gov. Whitmer wants to expand the program to younger Michiganders.
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Ann Arbor Public Schools mask mandate relieves some, frustrates others
District students masked for all of last school year. Now, they are to wear masks for the next two weeks. Some parents are skeptical the mandate will end then.
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More options for cheaper college if Michigan students fill out free form
Many high school students are choosing to forgo college, even as the state is rolling out scholarship and free-tuition programs to make higher education more affordable. Filling out a free financial aid form is the best way to determine the true cost of college.
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Michigan Democrats’ big education priority: Reform or kill read-or-flunk law
Proponents of third grade reading law say it helps keep schools accountable. Opponents holding students back is no solution.
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Judge: Teachers aren’t subject to Michigan records law
A judge sides with Rochester Community Schools District in a case that involved materials for an ethnic and gender studies course but could have broader implications.
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Whitmer’s school parent council: Public service, public relations, or both?
While running for re-election, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer created a parents’ council. Now, the group has issued vague recommendations for Michigan schools that haven’t dampened criticism about the council from Republicans.
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Michigan schools race to increase safety through high tech, mental health
Michigan superintendents are trying to balance physical technology to secure schools, with building stronger mental health supports for students. They say school safety continues to be something they want to improve.
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Michigan student loan borrowers will have more time before payments resume
Federal student loan borrowers have not been required to make payments on their loans since spring 2020 and had anticipated having to restart payments in January. Now, they’ll have more time, though it’s unclear how long.
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New U-M president Ono lays out climate change, diversity and staffing goals
Santa Ono outlined a host of progressive priorities he hopes to pursue at the University of Michigan, including a $300 million investment in “socially responsible” companies.