A group representing Michigan charter schools accuses the DOE of adding new hurdles for charters to access federal money to open new schools. Supporters of the rules say they rein in problematic practices within the charter school industry.
Koby Levin, Chalkbeat
A guest author for Bridge Magazine.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan school districts resist consolidation. Will $237M change minds?
Michigan has more than 800 school districts, which previous governors have tried to combine to save on administrative costs. The new education budget contains $237 million aimed at getting school districts to consider consolidating.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan boosts K-12 special education, teacher hiring, mental health funds
In approving the state’s education budget early Friday morning, the GOP legislature and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also added investment in school safety measures and the teacher pension system, thanks to unexpectedly high state revenues this year.
Posted inChildren & Families
New Michigan law cuts red tape for small, home-based child-care providers
The package, signed Thursday by Gov. Whitmer, contains a range of changes to child care law, from minor procedural fixes to major changes in the state’s method of supporting private providers.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan tried preschool for 3-year-olds, but will the idea survive?
Michigan officials launched the pilot, called Strong Beginnings, on the premise that high-quality education has profound benefits for all early learners, not just those who are a year away from kindergarten.
Posted inTalent & Education
Dyslexia bills pass Michigan Senate with bipartisan support
The state Senate passed a package of bills on Wednesday that would require schools to screen for dyslexia and provide evidence-based instruction to help students learn to read.
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 to spend $100 million to open new child care programs, tackle pain points
The state plans to invest in child care buildings, educator training, and startup grants using federal COVID-19 aid.
Posted inTalent & Education
Home-based preschool hits roadblock in Michigan budget talks
Michigan has a financial cushion thanks to federal stimulus funds and stronger-than-expected recovery from the economic shock of COVID-19. But education spending is a sticking point.
Posted inTalent & Education
Big and small groups, during and after class: tutoring is all over the map
Using federal COVID relief funds to curb learning loss, some local school districts are putting money into tutoring. A review of 16 programs shows some schools follow best practices more closely than others.