A new state law requires third-graders to repeat the grade if they are more than a year behind in reading. But the state test doesn’t yield that information.
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
A Betsy DeVos cheat sheet for next ‘60 Minutes’ interview on Michigan schools
The U.S. Education Secretary did not appear to know much about how Michigan schools are performing, despite years fighting for pro-charter and school-of-choice policies. Bridge is here to help.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan spent $80 million to improve early reading. Scores went down.
Under a new law, in two years thousands of Michigan’s third graders will flunk if they are more than a year behind in reading skills if the state can’t turn current trends to the positive. How did this happen?
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Scores in one West Michigan school district typify state’s malaise
Allegan Public Schools was among dozens of districts that showed little student growth in a Stanford study. Its story is the story of public education across Michigan.
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
A Michigan divide? Documentary follows families in a fiery political year
As 2017 unfolded, six families from vastly different backgrounds said they sometimes felt like Michiganders didn’t speak the same language on politics. A Bridge documentary goes in search of what they might share.
Posted inQuality of Life
Did a Michigan campus narrowly avert a massacre like the Florida shooting?
We’ve all seen the horrible scenes from a Florida high school. But similar carnage may have visited Lansing Community College in November. But then a worried friend called police.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
No offense, Gov. Snyder, but here’s Michigan’s real ‘State of the State’
Candidates for state office will talk about whatever it is they want to talk about. Here are the critical issues they should be addressing, and the facts you need to evaluate their campaigns.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Why Michigan needs newcomers. Told in 5 data maps.
Michigan’s economy would improve if more adults had diplomas. Why our future may depend on immigrants and other transplants.
Posted inChildren & Families
Are teen prison rapes a violation of civil rights? A Michigan court is about to decide.
More than 900 juvenile prisoners have filed suit claiming they were harmed, some of them sexually, while being housed with adult inmates. Their case might never make it to a jury.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan high school counselors to get training in college and career advice
A bill expected to be signed today by Gov. Rick Snyder is a small step toward improved access to college ‒ if schools’ understaffed counselors can find time to pass on career advice.
