A petition drive for a voucher-like scholarship system faces a pivotal week. Research from other states show the programs may get more students into college and don’t drain state coffers, but scholars disagree on impact.
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
These low-income Michigan schools get students into college. Here’s how.
High costs, complicated forms, and only an abstract notion of what college is like. These are all barriers to low-income students applying to two- or four-year colleges. But 19 Michigan high schools are beating the odds. They cite three similar keys to their success.
Posted inTalent & Education
At Hillsdale library, resignations and alarms about politics, pedophilia
Until recently, nobody much cared about library board meetings. But as the culture wars expand into what books are suitable for children, a raucous weeknight board meeting in tiny Hillsdale underscores the political divide.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan Gov. Whitmer proposes $280 million tutoring investment
The proposal, which requires approval from Republican lawmakers, marks a shift for state leaders who have not previously emphasized tutoring as an academic recovery tool.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan may loosen school language requirements in favor of computers, finance
Programming and personal finance classes would count toward graduation requirements under pending legislation. Backers say it would better prepare students; foes say computers are no substitute for language.
Posted inTalent & Education
Chelsea Clinton visits Wayne County to push parents’ role in child literacy
Child advocates are working to find ways to ensure that low-income parents spend more time talking, reading, singing and interacting with their children.
Posted inTalent & Education
Nessel: Wayne State experiments on dogs should face new animal testing rules
The university has faced criticism for years for its treatment of dogs during research. A new attorney general opinion states that there needs to be state oversight of animal experimentation.
Posted inTalent & Education
Cheers for Dr. Fauci at comeback University of Michigan commencement
The COVID-19 pandemic stopped the classes of 2020 and 2021 from having a proper graduation ceremony. Saturday, they gathered under blue skies to hear Dr. Anthony Fauci urge them to embrace leadership and reject falsities.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan GOP, Whitmer push college tuition aid plans. How their plans differ.
Lawmakers propose competing scholarships, aid programs to return to school during Michigan budget deliberations.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Joy among anti-abortion faithful as Michigan confronts a post-Roe world
To some, the likely end to nearly 50 years of federal abortion protections means losing a say over their own bodies. But others see an end to what they deem government-sanctioned crime. They all appeared to scarcely believe the enormity of the ruling.