Isabel Lohman

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to expand the state’s free preschool program to all 4-year-olds, regardless of income. An MSU researcher who studies the Great Start Readiness Program explains what makes it work.

Universal pre-K is good for kids and the economy. But it’s expensive and the state faces several hurdles, including teacher shortages and a lack of transportation options for the 4-year-olds.

Democratic lawmakers are moving quickly to remove the part of the state’s third grade reading law that requires students a year or more behind to repeat the grade. The bill passed out of a Senate committee Tuesday.

A once-in-a-generation influx of money is allowing education advocates to debate reforms to a school system that has underperformed for decades

Resolving a long turf war, Michigan now allows local community colleges to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees in nursing through partnerships with universities. The program allows more students to stay close to home, helping them and their community.

Community colleges sustain the biggest drop, but the percentage of recent high school graduates at four-year schools remains well below pre-COVID levels.

The Michigan Reconnect program currently pays for students age 25 and over to attend their in-district community college tuition free. Gov. Whitmer wants to expand the program to younger Michiganders.

District students masked for all of last school year. Now, they are to wear masks for the next two weeks. Some parents are skeptical the mandate will end then.

Many high school students are choosing to forgo college, even as the state is rolling out scholarship and free-tuition programs to make higher education more affordable. Filling out a free financial aid form is the best way to determine the true cost of college.

Proponents of third grade reading law say it helps keep schools accountable. Opponents holding students back is no solution.

A judge sides with Rochester Community Schools District in a case that involved materials for an ethnic and gender studies course but could have broader implications.

While running for re-election, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer created a parents’ council. Now, the group has issued vague recommendations for Michigan schools that haven’t dampened criticism about the council from Republicans.

Michigan superintendents are trying to balance physical technology to secure schools, with building stronger mental health supports for students. They say school safety continues to be something they want to improve.

Federal student loan borrowers have not been required to make payments on their loans since spring 2020 and had anticipated having to restart payments in January. Now, they’ll have more time, though it’s unclear how long.

Santa Ono outlined a host of progressive priorities he hopes to pursue at the University of Michigan, including a $300 million investment in “socially responsible” companies.

The school board had been under months of pressure from a raucous group of parents and activists to remove books with LGBTQ, sexual, or sexual violence themes. Other books are still under review.

From the governor’s race to local school boards, the ‘parental rights’ movement has dominated debates on education policy this election year. But movement-backed candidates had limited success Tuesday in local school board elections.

Republicans framed the education debate in Michigan this year on culture war issues including transgender inclusion, diversity and critical race theory. But in statewide races, it was Democrats who emerged victorious.

In early results, it remains uncertain which party will control Michigan’s congressional delegation.

Bernstein, a Democratic nominee and Republican-nominated Zahra will return to the state’s highest court. Their reelection maintains the 4-3 advantage on the court for justices nominated by the Democratic Party. .