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Michigan Radio
535 W. William
Suite 110
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
ph. 734.764.9210
email us
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Michigan Radio's Grading Michigan Schools is a multi-part series that takes an in-depth look at education in Michigan. We hear why one college student feels let down by the public school system in the state. We find out about “unschooling,” an education philosophy that abandons textbooks and a curriculum. We also look at how the public school system is serving at-risk students through education for the very young and early intervention for kids with special education needs.
You can listen to the reports below or order a free CD set of the series while supplies last.
E-mail us your name and mailing address.
Support for Grading Michigan Schools comes from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, a founder of the Grand Rapids Education Reform Initiative, and The Skillman Foundation, a voice for Detroit children since 1960.
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Financial Tipping Point
Nov. 5, 2007
Tracy Samilton
In the first of our series called Grading Michigan Schools, we start with a look at the school funding crisis affecting many districts. School administrators say they are running out of money to adequately prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Turning Around a Troubled School
Nov. 6, 2007
Sarah Hulett
In Part Two of our Grading Michigan Schools series, we look at one of the 20 schools entering their sixth or seventh year of failing to meet federal progress benchmarks.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Districts May Turn to Consolidation
Nov. 7, 2007
Tracy Samilton
Consolidation may help school districts save money and expand courses. But it comes at a high cost.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Ready Or Not, Here Comes College
Nov. 8, 2007
Sarah Hulett
A high school diploma should mean a graduate has mastered the basics. But that hasn't been the case in Michigan - where many college and university students are learning subjects they should have mastered in high school.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Shop Rat Nation
Nov. 9, 2007
Lester Graham
The school system in this country in general has been going away from the vo-tech and shop classes. But one program provides an opportunity for college prep students to get some shop experience. We visit the Shoprats.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Commentary: NCLB is Failing
Nov. 12, 2007
Dr. Bob Sornson
President and Founder of Early Learning Foundation says No Child Left Behind created unintended consequences.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Pilot Schools in Grand Rapids
Nov. 12, 2007
Kaomi Goetz
Grand Rapids Public Schools is announcing the creation of pilot schools to specialize in areas such as math and the environment. It's a result of a landmark public-private partnership.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Learning Must Start From Birth
Nov. 13, 2007
Tracy Samilton
Low-income children from disadvantaged families usually do worse in school than other children. The No Child Left Behind Act says eliminating that achievement gap is a primary goal. One preschool in Ann Arbor prepares poor children for school as early as age 2.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Special Ed Numbers Plummet When Teachers Ask For Help Early
Nov. 14, 2007
Tracy Samilton
Asking for help used to be considered a sign of failure in teaching. It's encouraged in one district. Teacher support teams have cut special education numbers in half.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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The Math Problem
Nov. 15, 2007
Sarah Hulett
Arithmetic and algebra haven't changed for centuries. So why do kids - and adults - have such a hard time with math? One mathematician says he thinks he knows the answer.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Bill Schmidt on the "Math Crisis"
Nov. 15, 2007
Sarah Hulett
Bill Schmidt is well known in education circles for his research into the academic content in K-12 schools, testing, and the effects of curriculum on academic achievement. He spoke with Michigan Radio's Sarah Hulett, who asked him whether he believes a "math crisis" exists.
Hear the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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High Schools Struggle with Curriculum Standards
Nov. 16, 2007
Rick Pluta
Some Michigan High Schools don't have the teaching resources to meet new curriculum standards.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Schools of Choice and Urban Districts
Nov. 19, 2007
Kaomi Goetz
State and local schools of choice programs are affecting large, urban school districts, but opinions differ on whether that's good or bad.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Shifting Demographics
Nov. 20, 2007
Sarah Hulett
Several school districts in Metro Detroit have flipped from majority-white to majority black in a very short time. That's creating new opportunities for integration in once-lily-white communities. But it's also creating some tough situations for districts where the teaching staff is all-white, or close to it.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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The Sea of Sameness
Nov. 21, 2007
Sarah Hulett
A lot of students grow up going to schools where the other kids look just like they do. That means they might not be as prepared as adults to interact with people who are different from them.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Commentary: Charter Schools Help Education
Nov. 23, 2007
Andrew Coulson
The Director of The Cato Institute Center for Educational Freedom says public educators should not fear charter schools.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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International Baccalaureate Schools
Nov. 26, 2007
Tracy Samilton
International Baccalaureate Schools teach the same curriculum all around the world. There is one in Michigan and could soon be more.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Unschooling
Nov. 27, 2007
Sarah Hulett
Some parents have rejected the traditional school setting for their children's education. For unschoolers, the classroom is the world around them.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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The Dropout Dilemma
Nov. 28, 2007
Sarah Hulett
There are disagreements about just how bad the dropout rates are in many school districts. But what's being done to fix the problem?
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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Islands of Success at DPS
Nov. 29, 2007
Tracy Samilton
Detroit students score far below the state average in reading and math. But within Michigan's largest school district, a few schools are providing a high-quality education, despite the odds.
Hear the story.
Read the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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An Unschooler's Radio Diary
Nov. 30, 2007
Samara Freemark
Alyse Guenther is twelve years old, and she's an unschooler. We gave her a microphone and a recorder, and asked her to explain what that means.
Hear the story.
If you have comments about this report or the series, e-mail us.
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