In the last five years, the number of long-term substitutes taking over public classrooms has risen tenfold in Michigan. Critics say reliance on subs is an embarrassment for a state with lagging school performance.
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
As Michigan schools struggle, Democrats and Republicans try…talking
How partisan are Michigan schools? Legislators say the parties don’t even use the same vocabulary on education. But an influx of educators just elected to the House and Senate wants to change that.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
With city in limbo, Benton Harbor prepares new pitch to save its high school
As veteran teachers flee the troubled district, Benton Harbor officials will try to sell Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on giving them at least four years to fix their struggling high school.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
U-M’s Schlissel: ‘Our children will suffer’ because of how we treat higher education today
The University of Michigan president speaks out on topics ranging from financial aid to road funding in an interview with Bridge Magazine.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Benton Harbor reach tentative deal to save high school
The agreement would allow the impoverished community to keep its high school if the school district improves academic performance and pays down debt.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
In Benton Harbor schools, a lesson for – and about – Gretchen Whitmer
Bold or reckless? Confounding or strategic? Whitmer’s surprise recommendation to close Benton Harbor High School offers clues about her governing style.
Posted inChildren & Families
Teens raped in Michigan prisons can get day in court, Supreme Court says
The Michigan Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal made by the state in a lawsuit filed by former teen inmates alleging the Department of Corrections didn’t do enough to prevent them from being raped.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
As deadline passes, Benton Harbor and state negotiate fate of high school
Friday was supposed to be the day Benton Harbor learned if its high school would remain open. Instead, the district and Michigan officials may still be seeking a resolution other than dissolving the district.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Whitmer faces some backlash over Benton Harbor High closing
The governor is getting pushback from city activists. Meanwhile, it appears the administration may be able to dissolve the district without help from the Legislature if local officials balk at closing the high school.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Five years in, Michigan passes social studies standards as conservatives fume
With a few last tweaks (adding the Ten Commandments and a reference to sturgeon), Michigan’s controversial social studies standards are approved by a Democratic-leaning state education board