Isabel Lohman

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. .

Politicians know young people tend to vote at lower rates than their elders. But Michigan college campus leaders say students are invested in the issues, but may need more help accessing voting information.

More than 10 percent of students opted out of at least one vaccine in five Michigan counties, leaving areas open to potentially deadly outbreaks. Said one ‘vaccine choice’ leader: Parents know what’s best for their children.

President Santa Ono said the office will follow best practices from other universities in the wake of multiple sexual misconduct scandals. He also vowed a new initiative on climate change and explained why his selfies and ‘grams are more than a schtick.

The latest national testing underscores the pandemic’s toll on math and reading scores. Michigan’s fourth-graders had the lowest reading scores in 30 years. Black and low-income students fell further behind white, more affluent students.

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina presided over Dr. Larry Nassar’s state criminal sentencing. She said she’s received a ‘groundswell’ of feedback from Nassar survivors, large donors and ex-football players encouraging her to consider leading the university.

As students and schools try to recover from the pandemic, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republican challenger Tudor Dixon have vastly different plans for how to improve Michigan schools and colleges.

The form, previewed on Twitter, is simple and short, and is expected to be officially released later this month. It promises to save Michigan borrowers up to $10,000 or even $20,000 in student debt.

After weeks of tension with the Board of Trustees, MSU President Samuel Stanley Jr. said he had lost confidence in the board, accusing some trustees of “micromanagement.” He is the third MSU president in five years to resign for issues related to Title IX compliance.

People with college degrees tend to make more money than those without them. Which is why the governor and legislature passed measures to cut tuition. Some schools are going further: eliminating book fees, financial red tape and other obstacles to graduation.

Voters want to hear about K-12 learning, the economy, abortion, college attainment and crime. Here’s what Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her GOP challenger Tudor Dixon have said.

Michigan’s regional universities report higher first-year numbers following years of decline, made worse by COVID. CMU and EMU say they are also recruiting harder overseas.

U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker denied a challenge to the state’s constitutional ban on taxpayer funds being used for private education. The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation said it would appeal the Friday ruling.

A Michigan native, Brock Tessman comes to the job from Montana. His priorities when he begins Feb. 1 include increasing enrollment, ensuring more students get degrees and improving opportunities for rural students.

EMU faculty union members are one step closer to having a new contract with their university. The deal came after a faculty strike that disrupted three days of classes and includes pay and benefit hikes.

Mothers groups are becoming more involved, and the GOP says polling suggests dissatisfaction with schools is becoming a winning issue among voters.