No one knows just how many days of instruction Michigan students are receiving, thanks to flexibility lawmakers have allowed in recent years. That’s a problem, State Superintendent Michael Rice says.
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 schools may limit free student meals amid budget uncertainty
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders say they’ll include funding for free school meals in a new state budget — but they were still drafting actual bills ahead of a midnight deadline.
Posted inTalent & Education
Case may decide if Michigan schools must tell parents of kids’ gender identity
A federal lawsuit challenges Rockford schools’ decision to call a child by a different name and pronouns without telling parents. That may have violated the couple’s constitutional rights, a judge ruled last week.
Posted inEvents, Talent & Education
Watch Bridge Lunch Break discussion on Michigan’s education crisis
Bridge Michigan education reporter Isabel Lohman led a virtual panel discussion about what can be done to improve education in the state. Watch a recap here.
Posted inMichigan Government, Talent & Education
Michigan schools face tough calls as government shutdown looms
Michigan schools are taking out loans, limiting free meals and warning of preschool closures if the state government shuts down Oct. 1. A prolonged shutdown could cost them even more.
Posted inTalent & Education
MSU study urges more money, improved efficiencies for Michigan schools
While Michigan school funding has gone up, the dollars making it to classrooms has remained flat because of growing pension costs.
Posted inTalent & Education
Congress ends nutrition program, Michigan rep called results disappointing
The federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act slashed funding for SNAP-Ed programs across the country. Backers of the cuts called the program’s results disappointing, but the program’s proponents said it helped people stay healthy.
Posted inTalent & Education
Wayne State president leaves with ‘bargain’ settlement of $760K, plus health care
Kimberly Andrews Espy, WSU’s first female president, departed this week with a settlement in exchange for giving up her rights to return to the faculty. Her $760K departure settlement is on the low side, according to one expert.
Posted inTalent & Education
Push to take SAT scores off Michigan students’ transcripts, abolish essay
Proposed legislation seeks to make the college application process more fair for high school students, advocates say, since most colleges offer students the option of not providing test scores.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan chronic absenteeism inches down but remains higher than pre-pandemic
More than 1 in 4 students are chronically absent across the state. School leaders told researchers that absenteeism was a top priority in 2024-2025 school year.