Michigan has 21,000 more teacher aides than a decade ago helping a shrinking population of schoolkids. Hiring more adults has yet to reverse learning skids, but one lawmaker likens it to turning around the Titanic.
Michigan K-12 schools
Posted inTalent & Education
Mississippi turned around its schools. Its secret: Tools Michigan abandoned
Once at the bottom, Mississippi has made massive strides teaching children to read. They’ve got literacy coaches, a high-stakes third grade test and lots of teacher training. What can Michigan learn from the Magnolia state?
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan spent big to fix schools. The result: Worse scores and plenty of blame
Ten years ago, Michigan vowed to become a Top 10 state for education. Since then, it’s outspent many other states and seen diminishing returns amid a revolving door of reforms.
Posted inTalent & Education
Fact check: What’s true, false, misleading about Michigan’s education slide
From poverty and special interests to the lockdown and school choice, theories abound about Michigan’s declining test scores. Other states have the same issues but are doing better.
Posted inTalent & Education
Improving Michigan education: Full responses from major gubernatorial candidates
Bridge Michigan asked each major candidate for governor two questions: What are at least two things you believe are causes for poor academic performance in Michigan schools? How would you improve early literacy in Michigan that is different from what is now being done? Here are their full, unedited responses. List at least two things […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Crypto mines a noisy nuisance to some. Should Michigan regulate them?
Pending legislation would make it easier to build crypto mines in Michigan. One Upper Peninsula community knows the mines don’t always make good neighbors.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Smartphones don’t belong in schools
Michigan should enact a ban like New York state’s: no smartphones at school from bell-to-bell. We shouldn’t ask our children to resist technology that’s so addictive many adults can’t pull themselves away.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan lawmaker wants a cursive comeback
A recently reintroduced bill in the Michigan House would encourage cursive instruction in public schools.
Posted inTalent & Education
As Michigan scrambles to improve literacy, school librarians are losing their jobs
Most Michigan schools don’t have a full-time librarian. They’re required in Mississippi, where reading scores are higher.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | What Michigan needs in its next superintendent of public instruction
This is one of the most consequential decisions Michigan’s State Board of Education will make in a decade. We urge the board to select a leader who is bold, transparent, and unwavering in their commitment to the children who have for too long been overlooked.