Nearly two-thirds of Michigan teachers have received at least the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine or are set to get it, according to a survey by the state’s largest teachers union, spurring more districts to make plans to reopen.
Ron French
Ron French is the senior enterprise reporter at Bridge Michigan, covering a wide range of topics including rural communities, federal policy impacts, education and public health. Born and raised in Indiana, Ron came to Bridge in 2011 from The Detroit News, where he was a project reporter, and previously reported for newspapers across Indiana. He graduated from Purdue University.
Rooted in Okemos, Ron has become a true Michigander — complete with a family cabin Up North.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Grand Valley State offering free tuition to some lower-income students
GVSU is following some Michigan universities by offering savings to students in six Michigan counties. The program covers tuition and class fees, but not other attendance expenses that can still prove steep for some families.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan’s free community college offer isn’t free in parts of the state
Many residents in northern, rural and more low-income regions do not qualify for free tuition because they’re not in “community college districts.” The state can close the gap with another $7.5 million.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan’s new, free community college program: What you need to know
A new program called Michigan Reconnect offers free tuition at community colleges and many job training programs.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan essential workers get free tuition. Soon, many others can, too.
More than 120,000 essential workers signed up for free community college tuition through the Futures for Frontliners program. The state expects to launch a similar program soon for the roughly 3 million Michigan adults over age 25 who lack a college degree.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
With COVID surging, Michigan State University tells students to stay home
COVID-19 cases are dropping statewide, but at Michigan’s two biggest universities, new coronavirus concerns have led to campus clampdowns on gatherings.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Facing new COVID variant, University of Michigan students asked to stay home
The variant, known as B.1.1.7., spreads faster and takes longer to detect, worrying health officials already racing to distribute a short supply of vaccines.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan schools want to skip standardized tests, blaming COVID
State Superintendent Michael Rice seeks federal permission to drop the M-STEP this year because of the pandemic, but some educators say doing so is irresponsible.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Schools outraged that bars can open in Michigan, but not winter sports
From threats of lawsuits to heading across state lines to compete, high school athletes, their parents and coaches are frustrated by not being able to play while bars and restaurants can reopen.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Federal COVID funding varies 100-fold across Michigan schools
Michigan school districts are relieved to get federal help to offset costs connected to the pandemic, but some question a funding formula that is creating wide disparities among school districts.
