If approved, parents could choose their children’s tutoring, software, or other education support from a “marketplace” of education vendors to help boost their education following the disruption of COVID-19.
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
Lipstick, smiles, anxiety on a Michigan school’s first mask-optional day
An elementary school principal tries to set a respectful tone as students and families return to class for the first time in a long time without the requirement of wearing a mask.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
One Michigan mom rejoices, another worries as school mask mandates lift
This is the story of two moms, and two Michigans — one eager for a maskless return to a post-COVID normal, the other still wondering if it is still just too soon.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan high school seniors crave normality after COVID
The high school class of 2022 has been through a lot. From virtual learning in their bedrooms, to mourning the death of loved ones. Four seniors spoke to Bridge about all that they missed, and vowed “never to take anything for granted.”
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmakers skirmish over Republican school transparency bill
GOP lawmakers defend a measure that would require schools to publicly post curricula, book titles, writing assignments and other material at the start of the school year or lose 5 percent of funding. Democrats call it a ploy to politicize education.
Posted inTalent & Education
New carpets, more supports: How Michigan colleges would spend Whitmer plan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed education budget plan focused mostly on the state’s struggling K-12 schools. But Michigan universities and community colleges would also get a big spending bump, assuming GOP lawmakers buy in.
Posted inTalent & Education
Survey: 1-in-5 Michigan teachers and staff said they will soon leave field
In a survey by the Michigan Education Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union, educators noted more shortages and disruption than before and said they are less satisfied with their jobs.
Posted inTalent & Education
How Gretchen Whitmer wants to spend $18.4 billion on Michigan schools
Schools are battling teacher shortages, mental health concerns and more. Gov. Whitmer said she wants to make “bold investments” in education with billions of additional dollars in state and federal funds. Republicans say they are eager to talk, but wary of the tab.
Posted inTalent & Education
As Gretchen Whitmer pitches Michigan education, a lag in college enrollment
COVID continues to disrupt the number of high school graduates enrolling in college, which has consequences for the state’s economy. School counselors are seeing the pandemic’s toll as the governor seeks to boost student success.
Posted inTalent & Education
Virtual learning and the end of Michigan snow days
Big storms used to mean snowball fights, not school. But remote technology has made it easier for schools to keep teaching in the pandemic. Educators say there are still kinks to figure out before snow days vanish.