Proposed changes in what’s taught as history in classrooms from kindergarten through high school are causing an uproar. The state is extending public hearings through September.
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
Ignore the sticker price at Michigan universities. Here’s the real cost.
Bridge shows the surprising differences between the published price and the real cost of attending Michigan’s 15 public universities. Students from middle-class and low-income families take note.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Groups join hands to fix Michigan schools. Will it make a difference?
Leaders from education, business, unions and philanthropy announced Wednesday that they will huddle to improve the state’s lagging public schools.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Crowds growing to protest changes to Michigan social studies standards
Public meetings that attracted just a few folks have grown bigger and louder since Bridge revealed conservative changes to Michigan K-12 social studies standards.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan school board Dems: We will block conservative social studies changes
References to gay rights, Roe v. Wade and climate change have been stripped from state K-12 social studies standards. Democrats on the state school board have the votes to block the changes, and vow to do so
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan’s top teacher on Betsy DeVos, school shootings and testing
Luke Wilcox isn’t shy about sharing his opinions, with Bridge Magazine or the U.S. Secretary of Education
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
What Michigan schools can learn from craft beer
To turn around Michigan schools, stop trying to produce Budweiser, and brew more Oberon. That’s the TED Talk message (without the actual alcohol) of Michigan’s Teacher of the Year.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
History gets a conservative twist in Michigan social studies standards
Abortion, climate change and gay rights are gone from proposed new social studies standards. State Sen. Patrick Colbeck and conservative groups gained influence on what will taught in Michigan classrooms.
Posted inMichigan Truth Squad
Truth Squad | Bill Schuette says Michigan is ‘last’ in third-grade reading
Few would argue with Schuette’s point that Michigan’s public schools must vastly improve. We’re struggling, but are we the worst?
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
A Michigan school devoted to innovation. Here’s why others won’t follow.
Michigan schools may be flailing, but major reform is tough. Just look at Kent Innovation High.
