Most states pay for so-called “adequacy studies” to calculate how much they should be spending to give students a quality education. Michigan is among a minority of states that have balked at such studies, while questioning their usefulness.
Talent & Education
To prosper, Michigan must be a more educated place. Bridge will explore the challenges in education and identify policies and initiatives that address them.
Posted inTalent & Education
A brief history of Proposal A, or how we got here
Proposal A was a bipartisan solution that offered property tax relief to Michigan residents while cutting the gap between poor and more affluent districts. A primer on how it works and why it needs an overhaul.
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A school funding glossary for civilians
Education policy carries its own jargon, with some of the lexicon more accessible than others. Here are some commonly used terms in the school funding debate.
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Gridlocked on change, state may bring back reviled MEAP next fall
The legislature’s inability to decide on a test that accurately measures student growth may impact students and teachers next fall.
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My school’s great, it’s Detroit that’s failing – and other myths
Detroit, Flint and other poor, mostly African-American school districts get the bulk of the blame for the state’s declining test scores. But the latest research shows Michigan students of all stripes are falling behind their peers nationally – yes, even white, middle-class students. A Bridge Special Report.
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Funding to improve teacher prep passes House subcommittee
A state push to improve teacher performance was hampered by testing delays. Bridge pointed out a minor fix that would speed testing. On Tuesday, that fix passed a hurdle in the state House
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13 MILES TO MARSHALL: Tough times lead very different high schools to merge (chapter 1)
When money ran out at Albion High, the district shipped students to rival Marshall High School. What happens when poor, African-American students are bused to an affluent, nearly all-white high school? The answer may surprise you.
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13 MILES TO MARSHALL: Hard classes and difficult lessons for Albion teens (chapter 2)
With wariness among students from both towns, Albion teens enter classrooms very different from their old school. ‘They can’t know what they haven’t been taught.’
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13 MILES TO MARSHALL: Are Albion and Marshall a model for other troubled districts? (chapter 3)
Two superintendents face down ‘racist’ concerns from parents in their communities, and begin to see the promise of their stand.
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13 MILES TO MARSHALL: For Albion students, a long day, but ‘worth it’ (chapter 4)
Seven months later, there is a growing optimism among students despite academic struggle. And the districts’ finances begin to grow.