Xavier Eaton is a lucky boy. The Battle Creek child not only got a coveted spot in the state’s free preschool program (Great Start) last year as a 4-year-old, but was in a classroom for a full day, rather than a half-day. Studies indicate he likely is better prepared for kindergarten this fall because he […]
Picking winners, losers in preschool
Posted inTalent & Education
Grand Rapids preschool effort strained by budget trends
For Joanne Kelty, the economics of Michigan’s preschool program become more vexing each year. She supervises a program for Grand Rapids Public Schools considered to be a model for the state, with vocal support from the district’s superintendent and school board. Yet every year, the district has fewer 4-year-olds in class. “I hold my breath […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Preschool's great, if you can get there
Every morning, a bus picked up 5-year-old kindergartners a block from the Middleton family home in Walker and took them to a Kenowa Hills school. Every morning, Kelly Middleton packed up 4-year-old Seamus and drove him to the very same school. “I’ve seen buses go by,” Middleton said. “When it’s winter and you don’t want […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“I find that a great part of the information I have, was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way” – Franklin P. Adams, radio commentator. * A new report from the Michigan Agri-Business Association talks up the potential of agriculture’s prospects in Northern Michigan – and offers at least one very […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Let's open the door for student success
By Andy Buchsbaum/National Wildlife Federation In Michigan, several disturbing trends have become the core of the public education conversation. We hear about failing schools, underperforming students and teachers, budgets and staff stretched to capacity (and sometimes beyond), and disconcerting dropout rates. But there’s something else that hasn’t registered yet – and it should. We are […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad: Technical foul on pro-home health care claim
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Monette,” “Gene” and “Proposal” Who: Citizens for Affordable Quality Home Care What: “Monette,” TV/Internet ad; “Gene,” TV/Internet ad; “Proposal,” a mailer from Home Care First, Inc. Truth Squad call: Technical foul Few proposals on 2012’s crowded ballot require as much background knowledge, for a fully informed vote, as Proposal 4, which […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Truth Squad defends its fact-driven reporting against political attack
An organization called Progress Michigan published a blog post today questioning the integrity of Bridge Magazine’s Michigan Truth Squad political ad watchdog service. Specifically, Progress Michigan said other media partners should “think twice” before publishing our Truth Squad calls on political ads because it “is supported by many of the same corporate special interests that […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad: Anti-Prop 3 ad earns technical fouls on cost claim, wind turbine longevity
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Place” – TV ad, “$12 Billion” – mailer Who: CARE, anti-Proposal 3 group What: TV ad and mailer Truth Squad call: Technical fouls Questionable statements: “Make no mistake — Michigan families will pay the $12 billion price tag for this energy experiment.” (TV ad) “Proposal 3 will cost Michigan $12 billion […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad: Pro-Proposal 3 ad gets technical foul for jobs language
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS — “Forward” Who: Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs — Pro-Proposal 3 group What: TV ad Truth Squad call: Technical foul Questionable statement: “Michigan is falling behind in the clean energy race. Thirty other states have already passed measures similar to Proposal 3.” The forward ad cites a July 6, 2012, Crain’s Detroit […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Battle of the 'Starts' takes kids prisoner
Hundreds of Michigan 4-year-olds qualify for Head Start and Great Start, but are in neither preschool program, stuck in a no-man’s land between bureaucracies. School leaders, state administrators and directors of Head Start and Great Start describe a sometimes personality-driven relationship between the programs that can run seamlessly, or can devolve into accusations of “poaching” […]