The bills, which passed by votes of 104-1, reflect a national trend away from reliance on standardized testing by U.S. colleges and universities.
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
Michigan GOP lawmakers advance $1,500 student grants for learning loss
Republicans say the grants would help parents to choose private academic programs to help their children catch up after COVID. Democrats are wary, saying any extra funds should go directly to schools to help struggling students.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan advances bills to ease return of retired teachers to classrooms
The House and Senate bills differ a bit, but they both reflect broad, bipartisan support for quickly getting more teachers in Michigan classrooms amid a critical teacher shortage.
Posted inTalent & Education
Central Michigan closes dorms as university enrollment drops
Dorm occupancy was just 63 percent this year, prompting CMU to consolidate its on-campus housing. It’s another example of the effects of waning enrollment in some of Michigan’s universities.
Posted inTalent & Education
No, bus drivers aren’t leading classes in Michigan, despite uproar over law
Educators howled when legislators passed a law allowing school staffers to serve as substitutes temporarily. Months later, hardly any schools regularly take advantage of the law.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan students to school leaders: We need more help with mental health
Students tell a forum hosted by Bridge Michigan, Chalkbeat Detroit and Detroit Free Press that they have little faith in the mental-health services they receive at school.
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Advocates press Michigan for $25M to open 100 school health centers
The pandemic exacerbated a slow-burning mental health crisis in Michigan’s schools. Whitmer wants to open 40 centers to help. Advocates say that’s not enough.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan private school enrollment spikes amid discontent over pandemic rules
Some public schools are reporting double-digit declines, as certainty over in-person classes fuels increases in private school enrollment. Homeschooling also is up.
Posted inTalent & Education
Is federal COVID cash enough to solve Michigan school mental health crisis?
An unprecedented $6 billion in federal COVID relief money has come to Michigan to help schools, with mental-health support one of its pillars. It’s a lot of money, but young students will need a lot of help.
Posted inTalent & Education
Two Michigan educators exiting this month, many others may soon follow
The educators, a wife and husband, say staying in a field they love became “unsustainable.” Their frustration and disillusionment is reflected in recent teacher surveys, which show roughly 1-in-5 Michigan teachers are thinking about leaving.