The governor said the council is meant to amplify parents’ voices on educational issues. But Republicans call the council an election-year gimmick, as conservatives push for more parental control over classroom instruction.
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
5 things to know about new University of Michigan President Santa Ono
Will Santa Ono ever crowd surf in the Big House? We don’t know yet. Here’s what to know about his experience and what many hope he can bring to U-M.
Posted inTalent & Education
New University of Michigan President Santa Ono hailed for engaging students
Call him the anti-Schlissel. Ono, chosen Wednesday as U-M’s 15th president, is known for taking selfies with students, crowd surfing at football games, and engaging closely with students and faculty, all traits considered lacking in his predecessor.
Posted inTalent & Education
‘They’re not prisons’ — Michigan schools try to balance safety, learning
Student safety is on the minds of school and community leaders throughout Michigan following last year’s shooting rampage at Oxford High School. Lansing-area officials met Monday to discuss the nuances of such policies
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan schools are offering new teachers up to $10k bonus. Is yours?
After three school years of pandemic disruption, Bridge Michigan wants to know if finding teachers to staff schools has become even harder in your school district. Reach out to reporter Isabel Lohman if you have a story.
Posted inTalent & Education
A supergroup was to reform Michigan schools, then the schools dropped out
A coalition of business, school, philanthropy and labor groups came together in 2019 to try and solve decades of mediocrity in Michigan public education. But major school groups, including the department of education, have bailed, leaving the effort in question.
Posted inTalent & Education
Nursing deal and college affordability in Michigan higher-ed budget pact
The state’s higher-education budgets do not include a large expansion of Michigan Reconnect, the tuition-free community college program, but does set aside funding for a to-be-determined scholarship program.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan high school students are helping colleges improve campus success
Grand Valley State University leaders are taking ideas from a group of high school students to create programs that will help low-income and first-generation college students succeed when they arrive on campus.
Posted inTalent & Education
What the Supreme Court school prayer decision will mean for Michigan
Education law experts say Michigan public schools will have to comply with the ruling, which found that the Washington state football coach was discriminated against by being punished for praying at midfield after games.
Posted inMichigan Government
Key quotes from Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court abortion ruling
A conservative majority of justices overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which established a federal right to abortion. In a series of opinions, the nine-member court revealed deep divisions within their ranks.