From debates about finances and transparency to race and gender, Michigan parents are demanding more input in what kids learn and read. But some say they’ve taken the fight too far.
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
Michigan LGBTQ teacher videos will stay despite outcry from GOP and Whitmer
Michigan Superintendent Michael Rice won’t remove training videos on making schools safe for LGBTQ students. Rice said there are times when it is not appropriate to tell parents when a student comes out about their gender identity.
Posted inTalent & Education
Confused about the Michigan State president controversy? Read this.
Since Sunday, there’s been chaos in East Lansing over the status of MSU President Samuel Stanley Jr. We break down the issues that have some trustees wanting Stanley gone. Less clear is whether his critics hold a majority view on the board.
Posted inTalent & Education
A third Michigan State University president is now on the hotseat
President Samuel Stanley Jr., reportedly faces a resign-or-be-fired demand from the university board. Faculty leaders plan to meet Tuesday and speak with Stanley. But the board chair said Monday that removing Stanley would be ‘misguided.’
Posted inTalent & Education
Eastern Michigan University, faculty union reach deal to end strike
The tentative agreement put faculty back in the classroom Monday after the work action disrupted classes last week.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
After abortion, sex education may be Michigan’s next cultural battleground
Michigan doesn’t require sex ed, so what is taught — and what isn’t — can vary sharply by local school district. Advocates say uncertainty around abortion access in Michigan makes comprehensive sex education more important than ever.
Posted inTalent & Education
Eastern Michigan University sues faculty union over strike
The university said the faculty union’s strike is causing harm to students, while the union said the lawsuit “does not move us forward one inch.”
Posted inTalent & Education
Eastern Michigan faculty strike disrupts second week of classes
The union representing faculty members is at odds with the administration in negotiations over salary and healthcare benefits, with each side blaming the other for canceled classes.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan school M-STEP scores down sharply from pre-pandemic testing
Scores in math and English/Language Arts were mostly down this year compared to before the pandemic on the Michigan standardized test known as M-STEP. The results are likely to heavily impact education spending priorities.
Posted inTalent & Education
Critical race theory flap makes teachers tiptoe on slavery, racism topics
Bills that would restrict how schools teach about racism and other highly-charged topics have yet to pass. But there are signs that pushback from some parents and interest groups are making an impact in classrooms.