The state education official in charge of the five-year odyssey to update school social studies standards is tired of her department being used as a political punching bag
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 Politics Watch
Yes, it takes billions to fix Michigan roads. No, taxpayers don’t want to pay.
How willing are politicians to raise taxes on roads when the idea is unpopular and voters don’t trust Lansing? We’ll soon find out.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
2019 Academic State Champs honors Michigan schools where college is the norm
Dearborn schools dominate many of the champs lists, as Bridge Magazine recognizes winners at schools from Grand Rapids to Detroit and the Upper Peninsula
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Public outcry changed Michigan social studies standards. Add your voice.
The public has one more round of public meetings to offer its views on updating subjects covered in social studies classes across the state. Check out the schedule for a hearing near you.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan doesn’t track school security – or fund safety office it created
Most Michigan schools visited take active shooter security seriously. Just don’t ask the state what each school is doing – it doesn’t keep track. And the Office of School Safety the Legislature created? It remains unfunded.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
It’s conservatives’ turn to complain about Michigan social studies standards
Last year, a draft of state social studies standards drew outrage after references to climate change, gay rights and Roe v. Wade were cut. A new draft restored them. Guess who is outraged now?
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Five finalists named to be Michigan’s next state school superintendent
Three finalists are long-time superintendents from Michigan, and two others would bring an outside perspective to the state’s chief of schools
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan teachers: Standardized tests are useless and classes are too big
Those inside Michigan’s classrooms have some very different views on what works and what doesn’t work to improve education, according to a massive survey of educators across the state.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Rich-poor achievement gap won’t budge. Is investing in teachers an answer?
Students from poor families are, on average, more than two years behind their wealthier classmates. Poverty plays a huge role in student scores, but can boosting teacher quality also help?
Posted inChildren & Families
Where have all the babies gone? Michigan births lowest since 1944
In some counties, there are three funerals for every birth. That’s not a trend that bodes well for the state.