In August 2012, residents of two quiet Manistee County communities faced a choice. They could vote to dissolve Onekema Village and fold it into Onekema Township, a move proponents said would save money, trim tax bills for village residents and streamline their modest government operations. Or they could keep it all the same. Status quo […]
Merge governments? Sounds good, but not in my backyard.
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
Abuse survivor lights fuse on children's recovery
SPARKLING: Having survived child sex abuse, Lansing’s Tashmica Torok started the Firecracker Foundation to help other survivors. (Courtesy photo) You think you know your friends. I met Tashmica Torok about three years ago. In the span of an hour I was pretty sure I’d made a friend for life. She was a hilarious, smart, driven, […]
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
Longtime educator believes schools can do better by doing differently
A TEACHER LEARNS: Carmen N’Namdi has learned a few things in her years as an educator, chief among them that education should not be strictly job training. (Courtesy photo) I ran into Carmen N’Namdi at the opening of the “Detroit Resurgent” photo exhibit opening at the Michigan State University Museum recently. Although we were at […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Michigan’s bike cities shift gears and commuting cultures
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Above, Monday-night “slow rolls” organized by Detroit Bike City take riders past some of the city’s landmarks. Here, riders take a break in front of the Motown Museum. (Photo by Greg Ezzo, courtesy of Detroit Bike City) For a place that calls itself the Motor City, there was a whole lot of non-motoring […]
Posted inTalent & Education
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 […]
Posted inTalent & Education
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 […]
Posted inSpecial report
Passing Michigan’s teacher tests is a breeze – and learning suffers
The state’s teacher certification exam was “a joke,” says Godwin Heights second-year teacher Kelly Compher. “The tests don’t measure what happens in a classroom.” (Photo by Ron French) You don’t have to take Michigan’s basic skills teacher certification exam to read this story. But if you did, you’d probably pass. The exam, taken before a […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
How can students get ready for college if their counselors aren’t college ready?
Patrick O’Connor This fall’s crop of education articles brings us a bumper crop of stories about college. In addition to the usual bounty of college rankings, this harvest is rich with stories about the value of college, predictions of the stress of applying to college, and answers to the perennial question, is college for everyone? […]
Posted inSpecial report
Michigan teacher certification Basic Skills Test sample questions
See how you do answering sample multiple choice questions from the Michigan teacher certification Basic Skills test, which is typically taken during a senior year in college, before a student begins student teaching. Other certification tests are taken at the end of college. Incorrect answers will turn red and disappear; correct answers will turn green. […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Center for Michigan helps citizens bend politicians’ ears
The cover has a big picture of an ear. Underneath, the headline: “This is a politician’s ear. Bend it!” It’s the cover of the discussion guide for this year’s round of Community Conversations sponsored by The Center for Michigan. They’re small gatherings designed to call forth Michiganders’ views on where our state should be going. […]
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