David Zeman, who spent two decades covering and editing some of the biggest stories in Michigan journalism, joined Bridge this week as the publication’s editor. “Bridge has very high aspirations to serve as the go-to source in Michigan for in-depth, future-oriented journalism exploring the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of public issues,” said John Bebow, president and […]
Award-winning editor joins Bridge team
Posted inTalent & Education
Becoming a teacher: too often in Michigan it’s come one, come all
One college advertises classes in “truck driving and teacher preparation.” Another program draws potential teachers from the bottom fifth of high school students. Michigan imposes no minimum standards for admission to teacher training programs, leaving standards to individual schools that have little incentive to limit enrollment. The result: Some Michigan teacher candidates studying in programs […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Where should an aspiring teacher go to college? Nobody knows.
It was the end of her first semester as a Michigan teacher. Her students had gone home, and Wendy Zdeb-Roeper sat at her classroom desk, writing a letter to her alma mater. “I remember the feeling before the school year began,” recalled Zdeb-Roeper, now executive director of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals. “I […]
Posted inTalent & Education
How to get more teacher trainees in more classrooms sooner
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 […]
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. […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Taxing tensions in Troy
Mayor Dane Slater, chosen initially by city council to replace recalled Janice Daniels and then re-elected to finish her term, stands in the Troy Community Center. (photo by Nancy Derringer) Jennifer Hilzinger is one of many Troy residents who sometimes can’t understand what’s going on in her hometown. One minute she’s living in the place […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Charities and bars claim poker crackdown is a bad deal
Neither side appears to be bluffing as the battle between the administration of Governor Rick Snyder and charity poker rooms continues to intensify. The state Gaming Control Board, which Mr. Snyder put in charge of charity poker room oversight two years ago, released a new set of regulations in July that upset operators of the […]
Posted inChildren & Families
Can fancy finance fund fights against social ills?
A new method of financing government programs such as early childhood education and prison reforms is generating a near giddiness among states and philanthropists eager to participate. Social impact bonds allow foundations and private-sector investors to participate in funding programs aimed at easing social ills and earn a financial return if the programs are successful. […]
Posted inChildren & Families
Michigan philanthropists have a ‘sense of urgency’ on education
Rob Collier/Council of Michigan Foundations The Council of Michigan Foundations is the nation’s largest regional association of grantmakers, representing 350 foundations and other grantmaking organizations in the state. Foundations are playing an increasingly prominent role in Michigan as state and local government budgets that support for communities, the arts, recreation and other services have become […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Iowa, California offer ideas on how to fix gerrymandering
If we’re going to save America from repeated near-disasters like this month’s war over the government shutdown and the near-default on our debt, we’ve got to have an urgent conversation about gerrymandering, both in Michigan and the entire nation. Here’s why. The practice of “gerrymandering” — drawing congressional and legislative districts to favor one political […]