Phil Power is founder and chairman of the Center for Michigan. Michigan was one of 45 states which adopted “Common Core” standards back in 2010. The standards are aimed at setting out the kinds of skills that will qualify kids to successfully meet 21st century challenges, both in post-secondary education and fulfilling careers. There are […]
Critics of ‘Common Core’ school standards are worried about politics, not learning
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
COMING DOWN?: The two observation towers in Michigan’s Irish Hills – one built out of “spite” – will be demolished in October unless preservation advocates can raise enough money to save them. (Bridge archive photo) *Historic observation platforms in Michigan’s Irish Hills, near Jackson, face the wrecking ball unless history buffs can raise the money […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest commentary: Hacking our way to better government, communities
By Alok Sharma The National Day of Civic Hacking is June 1 and I’m proud to say that the Detroit technology community is really rallying around the cause. The day’s events wouldn’t be successful, however, if they only consisted of a group of technologists in a room. Civic hacking, like any other community driven event, […]
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
An elderly mother, the car keys and a conundrum for countless Michigan families
(courtesy photo/used under Creative Commons license) My mother’s driving career ended with both a bang and a whimper. From her hospital bed she told me, “I was admiring the beautiful autumn leaves when the truck pulled out in front of me.” As a matter of fact, the truck hadn’t moved. It was parked. The police […]
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
Oregon Medicaid study shows value of investment in mental health
CELEBRATE MENTAL HEALTH: Little of the coverage of the Oregon Medicaid study has noted the huge improvements in mental health for the insured vs. the uninsured, notes Marianne Udow-Phillips of the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation. (courtesy photo/used under Creative Commons license) Recent reports about a Medicaid experiment in Oregon reveal a major disconnect […]
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
In Michigan, we celebrate – and ignore – nature’s rhythms of change
WATER MEETS WATER: Lower Lake Herring flows into Lake Michigan between Arcadia and Frankfort. (courtesy photo) Our family tradition every summer is a special week amongst the magnificent dunes along Lake Michigan. The first thing we do when we arrive is run down to the lakeshore to the outlet where Lower Lake Herring connects to […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Mammoth Belle Isle Park poses huge challenge for citizen-saviors (with video)
Michele Hodges, 45, became the first full-time president of the Belle Isle Conservancy in January 2013. A Grosse Pointe Park resident, she will guide the year-old organization, with a budget of approximately $1.3 million, as it seeks to improve Detroit’s singular, but neglected, park, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead in the late 19th century. PARK ADVOCATE: […]
Posted inQuality of Life
A photographic tour of Belle Isle
Belle Isle Park is Detroit’s signature green space. According to the city of Detroit’s records: “Detroit’s city fathers purchased the 983-acre island in 1879 for $200,000, against the opposition of those who thought the price was too high. They elected to retain the name Belle Isle (beautiful island) by which the property was popularly known. […]
Posted inPeter Luke: Eye on the Capitol
Pursuit of auto coverage cap insures problems for legislators
If you and your family are in a major auto accident, do you care what the hospital billed the auto insurer for your child’s neurosurgery? Peter Luke was a Lansing correspondent for Booth Newspapers for nearly 25 years, writing a weekly column for most of that time with a concentration on budget, tax and economic […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Survey: Michigan can do much better on volunteering, being neighborly
Fewer Michigan residents may be freely offering their time and energy to good causes — or even saying hello to the senior citizen down the block — a recently released study on volunteerism and social interaction has found. A 2012 survey on the state’s “civic health” found that the percentage of Michigan residents volunteering their […]