MSU education students Alex Benitez, left, and Caitlin Gallagher, center, and other MSU students portray characters in the American Revolutionary War as they sit in and and take part in Haslett Middle School teacher Ben Pineda’s 8th grade social studies class. In Haslett, college seniors and eighth-graders sit in the same social studies class. About […]
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
No room for mediocre teachers in this school
Principal Mary Lang doesn’t suffer mediocrity in her classrooms. High-quality teaching is crucial in her North Godwin Elementary where the deck is already stacked against most students. ““Two or three ineffective teachers, and these kids are done,” Lang said. From her closet-sized principal’s office, Mary Lang doesn’t need to talk about more rigorous teacher training. […]
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In a game ruled by PACs, Michigan higher ed stays on the bench
One represents a special interest group of about 20 property owners. The other serves an institution known around the world, with thousands of employees, tens of thousands of current users and hundreds of thousands who once passed through its doors. Both have an abiding interest in how Michigan’s state government sees their activities. So of […]
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Michigan classrooms loaded with rookie teachers who soon wash out
“I started teaching in a charter school in Taylor. I showed up and they said, ‘Here’s a curriculum,’ and they handed me a USB (drive) and a pile of books and said, ‘Teach this,’ and you’re kind of left alone. You’re almost creating your own curriculum, and as a 23 year old, I didn’t have […]
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Poor students are more likely to get Michigan’s least experienced teachers
The Michigan children most in need of experienced teachers are the students least likely to get them. A Bridge analysis of state data found that inexperienced teachers appear to be clustered in Michigan’s poorest schools. The students in those classrooms will, on average, learn less than their suburban peers taught by more experienced teachers, widening […]
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Vagaries of student teaching give newcomers vastly different experiences
How long will they student teach? It depends on which university they attend. From left to right, Haslett student teachers Kayli Carter (GVSU), Melissa Lynch (CMU), Sam Georgi (MSU), Justine Dailey (CMU) Anaite Castaneda (MSU). (Bridge photo by Ron French) Theory ran into reality the day Melissa Lynch walked into a fifth-grade class in Haslett, […]
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The only high school sport where every kid can go pro
Nicholas Knoch from Lake Fenton High School tightens the bolts of his team’s robot at the FIRST Robotics Competition in Connie and Jim John Recreation Center on the campus of Kettering University. His team is the Lake Fenton Hazmat. FLINT – On the same day Michigan State University did battle in football with the University […]
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Okemos High School celebrates 'nerds'
Okemos High School senior Gavin McDowell explains a complex physics equation. At Okemos High School in Ingham County, it is easy to believe the geeks shall inherit the earth. With a 4.0 grade average, senior Gavin McDowell already has completed advanced placement classes in physics, chemistry and calculus. He is a whiz on the quiz […]
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Mood of Detroit at a glance: What city residents want from the next mayor
Generally speaking, do you think things in Detroit are on the right track or would you say things in Detroit are on the wrong track? Right track35.7%Wrong track43.2%Don’t know21.0%Refused0.2% Thinking about the next year, do you think things in Detroit will get better, get worse or stay the same? Get better60.2%Get worse7.2%Stay the same22.2%Don’t know10.5%Refused0.0% […]
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Tax breaks are a bounty crop for Michigan farms
With scant public notice, Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation in June aimed at better management of Michigan forests. Embedded in the package of nine bills is a provision that adds one more benefit to state farmers, who already enjoy state tax breaks that exceed $300 million a year. That sounds like a bargain when paired […]