Michigan K-12 schools

Michigan students are already suffering from pandemic learning losses. High rates of absenteeism make it worse. Rates improved slightly from last year but are still well above 2019.

Former President Donald Trump wants to eliminate the US Department of Education. That could affect Michigan school funding, college aid and civil rights protections for students.

Bridge Michigan education reporter Isabel Lohman will discuss the challenges and opportunities for Michigan’s K-12 schools in 2024 with experts during a Sept. 25 reader event.

Miguel Cardona took questions from Cass Technical High School students on Thursday as part of his national back-to-school bus tour.

Gone are the mask requirements and long COVID-19 isolation periods. But school leaders say it’s still important to stay home when sick.

As the back-to-school season is underway, Michigan drivers are encouraged to practice safe driving, especially during pick-up and drop-off hours.

While we applaud the past two years of increased investments in schools, Michigan still has a long way to go.

Experts have warned that the pandemic’s effect on learning would last for a long time. Now, Michigan scores show third graders are scoring worse on reading than third graders prior to the pandemic.

Changes to M-STEP would streamline the assessment process, add to the relevance of the remaining testing tools, and remove impediments Michigan students have to higher education.

Michigan schools are still secluding and restraining students, mostly those with disabilities, at high numbers despite a 2016 law designed to limit the controversial practice. One special education school is beginning to police itself.

A new Michigan program guarantees free community college – but only if you live in a community college district, and 1 in 5 students don’t.

Office of Civil Rights says Michigan Department of Education is "brushing aside" its violation of federal protections for students with disabilities.

Now is not the time to decrease funding for mental health.

The tiny district has hired an island resident — who’s also a custodian and real estate agent — as its long-term substitute teacher. The district plans to use a ‘grow your own’ program to help her earn teaching credentials.

On the four-student school on Bois Blanc Island, classes are set to resume soon. The one problem: There’s no teacher.

Michigan will help cover student loan payments for about 8,460 educators in the first round of a $250 million program. Many districts didn’t apply on behalf of their teachers, so only $17 million went out last month.

From ditching electric vehicle rebates to expanding preschool access statewide — a look inside Michigan’s newly signed $83 billion budget.

Michigan’s book wars escalate after a library wouldn’t move a handful of books to the adult section. The move leaves officials in ‘shock’ and comes before a tax vote to keep library doors open.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says the new state budget will mean an average $400 per pupil increase for Michigan schools. Education leaders say it’s a little more complicated.

The cost of college can be a barrier for students to pursue higher education. A new Michigan program expands student access to tuition-free community college.