Education

A new University of Michigan study finds young people are supportive of more gun control and of guns.

The University of Michigan School of Public Health conducts a regular text message poll of young people, between the ages of 14 to 24 years old.

This week, Flint Community Schools will take an important step toward finding its next permanent superintendent.

An interim superintendent has overseen the district since Bilal Tawwab was let go this past spring. Former emergency manager Gregory Weatherspoon was hired in March to serve as interim superintendent.

A new University of Michigan study finds African-American boys are three times as likely as whites to be suspended or expelled from school before the fourth grade.

The study suggests a lack of alternatives to suspending or expulsion may be a reason.

Detroit education officials are working to address shortfalls in the school district's special education program after audits found it's failing to meet student needs.

The Detroit News reports that the Detroit Board of Education on Tuesday approved Superintendent Nikolai Vitti's plan for sweeping reforms to its special education department. Two audits identified that the district lacks an effective system for identifying and evaluating children who may be eligible for special education services.

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit demanding literacy rights for Detroit children.

Filed in 2016, the suit attempted to force the state of Michigan to improve the condition of city schools. A week ago, Detroit school officials released a report pegging the cost of repairing the city’s school facilities at half a billion dollars.  

But in an opinion issued Friday night, U.S. District Judge Stephen Murphy III dismissed the suit.

After a storm of criticism, state education officials are extending the public comment period on proposed changes to the state social studies curriculum.

The public now has until the end of September to share its opinion of the proposed changes to what the state will require be taught in Michigan schools. It’s the first major change to social studies standards since 2007.

Gov. Rick Snyder signed the state’s nearly $17 billion education budget in Ypsilanti today.

The $16.8 billion fiscal year 2019 Education Omnibus budget, includes funding for the largest increase in the minimum K-12 foundation allowance in more than 15 years.

Snyder says the budget features many “critical” investments. But the governor says it’s about more than money.

Organizers say a new non-profit charter school will offer Flint area students a unique learning experience.

Starting in the fall of 2019, the Flint Cultural Center Academy will enroll 300 students in kindergarten through 5th grade. Eventually, the plan is to expand the school to K through 8th grade and increase the student population to 650.  

Sloan Longway executive director Todd Slisher says, as part of their instruction, the students will spend 90 minutes a day in Flint’s arts and science institutions.

Flint school officials are putting their search for a new superintendent on the fast track.

The Flint Board of Education has done little publicly since dumping Superintendent Bilal Tawwab back in March.    The district hired a former emergency manager to serve as interim superintendent.

Tensions could be high at Friday’s Board of Trustees meeting at Michigan State University.

Protestors plan to show up and continue their call for increased transparenc, and for Interim President John Engler’s resignation. These calls come amid repeated blowback in how the university has handled the fallout from Larry Nassar. Nassar is the former MSU sports doctor who sexually assaulted his patients for years.

Some of Michigan’s most influential business and education leaders say they plan to work together to improve the state’s education system.

The coalition officially unveiled Launch Michigan in Lansing today.

Doug Rothwell, the president and CEO of Business Leaders of Michigan, calls this a “transformational moment.”

The Michigan Department of Education has added two "listen and learn sessions" about proposed social studies guidelines amid growing outcry over the changes.

Opponents of changes to Michigan social studies curriculum were out in force at a public hearing Monday in Flint.

High school teachers, college professors, students and others turned out for the hearing.  

Today on Stateside, State Senator Patrick Colbeck pushes to make thee state's social studies curriculum to be "politically neutral." Plus, the story of how Marshall, Michigan protected a black family from a group of Kentucky slave catchers. 

To hear individual interviews, click here or see below. 

A $57 billion spending plan that boosts base K-12 funding and road construction has been approved by the Michigan Legislature.

The budget, which takes effect in October, also closes a state prison, earmarks $100 million for Gov. Rick Snyder's plan to link students with in-demand jobs, and sets aside money to better secure some schools from shooters.

The House and Senate passed the two main bills Tuesday, on what is expected to be the Republican-led Legislature's last session day before a summer break.

Despite their ongoing competition for students, the Detroit Public Schools Community District and charter schools will team up to provide some joint services for students and families.

The city’s newly-formed Community Education Commission will take on that task. Its first order of business: running a bus loop connecting six DPSCD and four charter schools on the city’s west side.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is revising its student code of conduct in order to keep more students in school after recording 16,000 suspensions last year.

The Detroit Free Press reports the initiative aims to be less punitive and more focused on teaching positive behavior and conflict resolution. The new code changes punishment guidance to address behavior through parent conferences or restorative practices.

Michigan’s largest teachers’ union is asking state lawmakers to prevent a change in the way teachers are rated on job-performance. 

Starting in the fall, a greater percentage of an educator’s evaluation will rely on how well students perform on standardized tests.  The percentage will rise from 25% to 40%.  

David Crim is with the Michigan Education Association. He says standardized test scores are not a reliable way to judge teachers.

Michigan school officials would be required to report “credible” threats to law enforcement under a proposed state law.

The state Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 1032 this morning.

The bill would require school officials to report “credible” threats immediately to police. The threats could be verbal, non-verbal, or electronic.

A new report shows Michigan colleges and universities are graduating a greater percentage of their students.

The state’s Center for Educational Performance and Information has been tracking student “success” rates since 2009. 

The data show there has been incrementally improved graduation rates at Michigan’s community colleges and universities.