Ron French, Author at Bridge Michigan

Ron French

Ron reports on a variety of subjects across the state. Ron came to Bridge in 2011 from The Detroit News, where he was a project reporter. Born and raised in Indiana, Ron graduated from Purdue University. He reported for newspapers across Indiana before moving to Michigan in 1995. Ron lives in Okemos, and like the true Michigander he’s become, he now has a family cabin Up North. You can reach him at rfrench@bridgemi.com or 517-214-3636.

Talent & Education

Report: Give governor more control to improve Michigan schools, test scores

by Ron French July 23, 2025July 31, 2025

The state paid $500,000 for a report on how to improve Michigan schools. Not all are thrilled with the recommendations.

Headshots of Jocelyn Benson, Mike Cox, Mike Duggan, Garlin Gilchrist, Anthony Hudson, John James, Tom Leonard, Aric Nesbitt and Chris Swanson.

Talent & Education

Here’s how governor candidates say they’d fix Michigan education

by Isabel Lohman and Ron French July 22, 2025March 3, 2026

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.

Talent & Education

Michigan schools on hiring spree. Can it reverse ‘Titanic’ learning losses?

by Ron French, Isabel Lohman and Mike Wilkinson July 22, 2025February 18, 2026

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.

A view of a child from the back. The student is participating in an activity that focuses on practicing letters.

Talent & Education

Michigan spent big to fix schools. The result: Worse scores and plenty of blame

by Ron French, Isabel Lohman and Mike Wilkinson July 21, 2025February 22, 2026

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.

Talent & Education

Fact check: What’s true, false, misleading about Michigan’s education slide

by Mike Wilkinson and Ron French July 21, 2025September 24, 2025

From poverty and special interests to the lockdown and school choice, theories abound about Michigan’s declining test scores. Other states have the same issues but are doing better.