Twelve school districts asked voters Tuesday to approve taxes to pay for school projects. In the end, only seven districts got their proposals passed.
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 voters to decide local elections, school bonds, more. What to know
Michigan voters can head to the polls Tuesday to decide local races and ballot proposals. Here’s what to know about the issues and election laws.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan Democrats, Republicans swap blame on schools after Bridge report
Michigan’s reading scores have dropped to crisis levels in the past 10 years. Republicans blame Democrats for repealing reforms; Democrats say their new strategies need time to work.
Posted inTalent & Education
Here’s how governor candidates say they’d fix Michigan education
Tougher graduation requirements, more teacher training on literacy and more school choice are among the ideas candidates are pitching to improve Michigan K-12 education.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan schools on hiring spree. Can it reverse ‘Titanic’ learning losses?
Michigan has 21,000 more teacher aides than a decade ago helping a shrinking population of schoolkids. Hiring more adults has yet to reverse learning skids, but one lawmaker likens it to turning around the Titanic.
Posted inTalent & Education
Mississippi turned around its schools. Its secret: Tools Michigan abandoned
Once at the bottom, Mississippi has made massive strides teaching children to read. They’ve got literacy coaches, a high-stakes third grade test and lots of teacher training. What can Michigan learn from the Magnolia state?
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan spent big to fix schools. The result: Worse scores and plenty of blame
Ten years ago, Michigan vowed to become a Top 10 state for education. Since then, it’s outspent many other states and seen diminishing returns amid a revolving door of reforms.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan State agrees to pay nearly $30 million to shooting survivors
Lawyers for three victims of the 2023 MSU campus shooting have announced settlements with the university.
Posted inTalent & Education
As Michigan scores fall, state superintendent blames local control ‘run amok’
Michigan lawmakers are questioning if the state is doing enough to ensure students are reading on grade level. State Superintendent Michael Rice says changes from two laws passed last year will help.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan school districts are shrinking. None want to consolidate. Why not?
In Michigan, birth rates are declining and schools of choice options are increasing. School district leaders say they are trying to attract more students. But consolidation remains unpopular.