education

Closing enrollment gap in AP and IB classes a good short-term fix, research shows

Current State — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:59:05 +0000

Last week, Bridge Magazine highlighted a study conducted by The Education Trust, a Washington D.C.-based education research and policy group, showing Michigan had one of the worst rates in the country for enrollment in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes among low income and minority students. Enrollment in these higher level classes during high school greatly increases a student’s chances for success in college.

Record 55 school districts running deficits, subject to state review

Current State — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 17:52:59 +0000

The number of Michigan school districts facing serious financial challenges continues to grow. On Thursday, state schools Superintendent Mike Flanagan reported there are 55 districts across the state operating in the red. That’s up by six since the start of the year.

Flanagan updates the state legislature quarterly on school finances. He commented that the situation requires “more resources.”

MI House Approves Changes To High School Graduation Requirements

Jake Neher — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:03:50 +0000

Bills to change graduation requirements for Michigan’s high school students have cleared the state House.

Critics of the Michigan Merit Curriculum say it doesn’t offer students enough flexibility.

The bills would loosen math, foreign language, and physical education requirements. Supporters say they would also make it easier for students to design graduation plans tailored to their individual goals.

Bill sponsor Ed McBroom says the changes would promote careers in high-demand skilled trades.

State Board of Education President John Austin on future of education in Michigan

Current State — Fri, 31 May 2013 20:27:16 +0000

From Mackinac, Gov. Rick Snyder discusses education, economy

Current State — Fri, 31 May 2013 20:23:08 +0000

Democratic Sen. Gretchen Whitmer discusses education funding

Current State — Thu, 30 May 2013 17:07:02 +0000

A key piece of the 2014 Michigan budget moved forward yesterday. The Republican-held majority of the state Senate passed a spending plan covering Michigan's public schools, community colleges and universities.

Michigan developing new model for teaching evaluation

Current State — Tue, 28 May 2013 18:22:15 +0000

Michigan educators and administrators will soon learn more about how their job performances may be evaluated in the future.

Next month, the Michigan Council for Educator Effectiveness (MCEE) will announce recommendations toward developing a model for “fair and effective” teacher evaluation.

Republican State Senator Phil Pavlov, Chairman of the Senate Education committee and Amber Arellano, Executive Director of the Education Trust Midwest, discuss the commission’s work.

Rally urges lawmakers to increase funding for early childhood education

Current State — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:39:01 +0000

A few thousand supporters of early childhood education are gathering at the State Capitol today.

Participants in the annual "Star Power" rally will encourage state lawmakers to approve a proposed $130 million increase to the state budget for families-in-need who want to participate in Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program. Currently, the program can afford assistance for only about half of those eligible statewide.

Lansing charter school faces possible closure

Current State — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:40:35 +0000

Administrators, staff and students of one of Lansing’s newest charter schools got some bad news yesterday. The Learn, Live, Lead Academy, launched by local banking executive and former Lansing Community College President Paula Cunningham, was told its contract was being revoked. “L3,” as it’s called, is nearing the end of its first year of operations.

Researchers defend the value of art and PE in school

Current State — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:29:04 +0000

Recently, the Lansing school district announced that it will cut as many as 87 teachers in an effort to address the district’s budget deficit. Many of the teachers expected to be laid off are certified to teach art, music and physical education to elementary school students. The district says it's not eliminating its arts and physical education programs, but “redesigning” them, using existing teachers and outside programming as a substitute.

Lansing teachers' union on new contract

Current State — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:58:36 +0000

Last Thursday, the Lansing School District and the city teachers’ union reached a new five-year contract agreement. The deal cuts 87 full-time equivalent positions in art, music and physical education classes. On Friday we spoke with school board president Guillermo Lopez. He assured us that those particular curricula would continue in Lansing schools, but that the method of providing that instruction is going to be restructured. After Mr. Lopez’s interview aired, Current State’s Kevin Lavery caught up with Patti Seidl, the president of the Lansing Schools Education Association, to hear the union’s perspective on the deal.

Current State #50 | March 22, 2013

Current State — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:16:28 +0000

Today on Current State: contracts for Lansing teachers; a look at the new Financial Empowerment Center; East Lansing high school's theater fundraiser; Michigan's 20-20 plan and reform options; sports check-in; Lansing's historic Albert Kahn building.

State Representative Sam Singh on latest issues before state government

Current State — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:18:08 +0000

Current State #40 | March 8, 2013

Current State — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 23:43:46 +0000

Today on Current State: Gay marriage in Michigan; a debate on the merits of "Common Core" education; MSU men's basketball with the Detroit Free Press' Joe Rexrode; the new realities of the publishing world; Ann Arbor teen named to inagural Carnegie Hall youth orchestra; MSU hockey playoffs; Interlochen Radio at Elderly Instruments this weekend.

A debate on the merits of 'Common Core' education

Current State — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 23:26:44 +0000

Since 2010, Michigan and most other states have been moving toward what are called "Common Core" state standards. It’s a movement that aims to create consistent learning goals for school kids across the United States.

Current State #38 | March 6, 2013

Current State — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:58:26 +0000

Today on Current State: The latest setback to the Lansing casino deal; Michigan ACLU on "Right to Work" lawsuit; the "Michigan 2020" plan; Neighbors in Action featuring All Saints Episcopal Church; folk legend Janis Ian; and MSU students and staff in Beijing.

Neighbors in Action: Lansing RIF

Current State — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:35:40 +0000

Each Wednesday on our Neighbors in Action segment, we feature a person or an organization that is working to make our community a better place. This is a listener-generated segment, meaning that each week, the person or organization we highlight will be nominated by you.

Current State #11 | January 28, 2013

Current State — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:46:13 +0000

Today on Current State: Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero on the state of the city, a breakdown of the Center for Michigan's education report, and farewell tributes to WKAR's Earle Robinson and Lansing City Council gadfly John Pollard.

Current State #7 | January 22, 2013

Current State — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:30:00 +0000

On today's Current State: A report card for Michigan charter schools, wolf hunting, the Detroit auto show, MSU hockey and the secrets to a happy marriage.

National Advocacy Group Ranks Michigan 6th In Nation For Education Policy

Jake Neher — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 23:08:54 +0000

Michigan ranks sixth in the nation for education policy in a report released Monday by a controversial national advocacy group.