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. […]
No room for mediocre teachers in this school
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 […]
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
We have 9 million reasons to find common ground, so let's try
ONE STATE, DIVIDED: The view from on high doesn’t match the one from the ground, where too often Michigan residents aren’t focused on helping the state move forward. My happiest moment at 30,000 feet was in 2006 when I saw the Detroit River announce the end of my international flight and my return to Michigan. […]
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
On All Souls' Day, remembering a vivid life, well-lived
A RICH LIFE: Anita Betzen fled two European nations but never let setbacks quench her love of life. (Courtesy photo) Next week brings Halloween, generally seen only from a secular perspective. But for Christians, Halloween is also the Vigil of the Feast of All Saints (Nov. 1), followed by the Feast of All Souls on […]
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
WE’RE HIRING: Bridge Magazine announces two staff writer openings
Driven by rapidly growing readership and philanthropic investment, Bridge Magazine has two immediate openings for experienced journalists who have a passion for covering the “how” and the “why” in Michigan’s vast and fast-moving news climate. Michigan Cities Reporter Bridge Magazine, a national award-winning, online publication dedicated to in-depth news and analysis of issues affecting life […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Great Lakes state playing catch-up in effort to build water-based economy
Michigan may be the Great Lakes state, but its neighbors to the east and west are leading efforts to turn water-based technology, academic research and tourism into jobs and revenue. Milwaukee and the province of Ontario are well ahead of Michigan’s efforts to capitalize on an $850 billion global freshwater economy, according to John Austin, […]
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