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.’
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 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.
Posted inTalent & Education
Biden student loan forgiveness plan: What it means for Michigan
Michigan has about 1.4 million student loan borrowers. Borrowers with federal loans who have incomes below $125,000 will get up $10,000 in loans canceled; up to $20,000 if they had Pell Grants.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan teacher retirements appear level, despite fear of huge exodus
Detroit public schools are fully staffed and the volume of statewide teacher retirements — an imperfect barometer — is steady compared to years past. Challenges remain in Grand Rapids and some rural districts, but there is reason for optimism.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Back to school and monkeypox: How much should Michigan worry?
Monkeypox risk is higher on college campuses, where it can be spread through sexual activity and the close quarters of dorm life and parties, health officials said. But the risk isn’t zero for school-age children.