Michigan leaders agree student literacy scores need to improve. One idea some are pushing is to mandate a specific ‘science of reading’ training called LETRS.
Isabel Lohman
Isabel reports on early childhood, K-12 and higher education for Bridge Michigan. She loves visiting schools and analyzing how policies made in Lansing affect students and educators. Previously, she was the children’s issues reporter for the Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee. There, she reported on the state's third-largest public school district's COVID-19 response and how a community copes after losing teenagers to gun violence. Isabel grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and has also lived in Missouri, Tennessee and Belgium. Isabel moved to Ann Arbor in January 2022 where she experienced her first Michigan winter. She has a warm winter hat with a snap-on puff ball. You can reach Isabel at ilohman@bridgemi.com.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan schools budget: free meals, record funding, safety upgrades
Michigan’s $24.12 billion budget includes universal no-cost K-12 school meals, boosts at-risk funding and includes funding for safety and mental health. School groups said the process was a mess.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan schools may limit free student meals amid budget uncertainty
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders say they’ll include funding for free school meals in a new state budget — but they were still drafting actual bills ahead of a midnight deadline.
Posted inMichigan Government, Talent & Education
Michigan schools face tough calls as government shutdown looms
Michigan schools are taking out loans, limiting free meals and warning of preschool closures if the state government shuts down Oct. 1. A prolonged shutdown could cost them even more.
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Michigan chronic absenteeism inches down but remains higher than pre-pandemic
More than 1 in 4 students are chronically absent across the state. School leaders told researchers that absenteeism was a top priority in 2024-2025 school year.
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New state superintendent Glenn Maleyko set to start in December
The Michigan Department of Education will soon have a new leader. Glenn Maleyko will be paid $272,000 annually and start in December.
Posted inTalent & Education
Board names interim state superintendent as Maleyko contract talks continue
As State Superintendent Michael Rice gets closer to retirement and contract talks continue with his successor, the State Board of Education makes a contingency plan.
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Trump’s ed secretary in Michigan: States should embrace private school scholarships
In a day-long tour in Michigan, Education Secretary Linda McMahon promoted school choice and harshly criticized US colleges.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan schools are floundering. How some buck the trend, improve literacy
Michigan reading scores are at record lows. Some districts are boosting literacy by investing in training, curriculum and data. Can their success be applied statewide?
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan’s education crisis FAQ: How important are tests? What about parents?
Michigan is sliding to the back of the pack nationally in education. Here are frequently asked questions and answers about money, truancy, staffing and other problems that frame the issue.