Education

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.

Detroit's public schools are closing early for a second-consecutive day because of hot weather.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District announced that classes would end three hours early on Wednesday after closing early on Tuesday as well. School field trips will be rescheduled. Updated information is being posted on the district's website.

Temperatures again were expected to rise to above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius). The National Weather Service says severe thunderstorms also are possible this week.

Michigan State University is hiring a university official with unique experience to advise on the search of MSU’s new university president.  

The MSU Board of Trustees is hiring University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan to serve as an adviser to the presidential search.

A new survey shows most Michigan high school students are not aware of a potential option after graduation.

A Michigan Talent Investment Agency survey found only 13% of high school students consider apprenticeships a good postsecondary career option.  

Roger Curtis is the director of Talent and Economic Development for the state of Michigan. He says, even among students who were aware of apprenticeship programs, most only associated them with construction jobs.

New research from Michigan State University finds children develop language and literacy skills at a young age, in part due to their ability to “self-regulate.”

Self-regulation refers to a child’s ability to pay attention to tasks. 

Lori Skibbe is an associate professor in MSU’s Human Development and Family Studies department. She led a study of language and literacy skills among more than 300 children.

Teachers at a Detroit charter school are demanding a new contract by the start of next month.

Teaching staff at Southwest Detroit Community School have been bargaining with charter management since the fall. Teachers, parents and union leaders made the case for a June 1 deadline at a school board meeting Wednesday night.