Michigan missed a deadline to spend $3.7 billion in federal aid, and lawmakers have spent days debating whether schools should teach critical race theory or allow transgender athletes from competing.
Michigan K-12 schools
Posted inTalent & Education
Gov. Whitmer against expanding Michigan’s read-or-flunk law to 4th-graders
An expansion of the controversial third-grade law that recommends retention for students more than a grade level behind in reading was approved by a Senate committee Wednesday.
Posted inTalent & Education
Cornhole and COVID tests mark a pandemic prom at one Michigan high school
Instead of the usual country club bash, students at Coloma High made do Saturday with a DJ in the parking lot of a local church. “Cherish Each Moment” was the theme chosen for teens with too few moments to cherish this year.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion: Teacher of the Year: Transgender students aren’t political pawns
A GOP bill in the Michigan Senate tells transgender youth that, in order to live authentically, they may have to give up sports. That’s wrong, says a transgender teacher.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan’s 3rd-grade read-or-flunk law may expand to 4th grade next year
If passed, the Republican bill could impact thousands of additional students across two grades next year. Critics say expanding the controversial law is a mistake, given the disruption to learning among all grade levels during the pandemic.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP seeks to cut funds to schools that teach critical race theory
A new Republican-backed bill would sharply limit Michigan classroom discussions of how race and racism have shaped American history.
Posted inTalent & Education
Gov. Whitmer pitches financial incentives to recruit more Michigan teachers
Facing a crucial post-pandemic school year, Michigan leaders are exploring ways to bolster a dwindling teacher corps, from loan forgiveness programs to boosting starting pay.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
From TikTok to school clinics, Michigan ramps up young teen vaccinations
About 7.5 percent of the state’s kids ages 12 to 15 have been vaccinated against COVID-19, leaving the state looking for ways to keep momentum strong.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan asked ex-teachers to return to school. In 3 weeks, 1,200 said yes.
With Michigan facing a widening teacher shortage, the state superintendent suggested a rule tweak with huge ramifications: waive the 150 hours of training ex-teachers are required to take to return to classrooms.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan school superintendents: mostly male, nearly all white
Michigan school superintendents are 95 percent white and less than 4 percent Black. And while teachers are 77 percent female, superintendents are 77 percent male. State leaders say it’s hard to find diverse candidates. Minority leaders see other factors at work.
