Decades of research tells us that Michigan’s economic future and cultural vitality depends on the quality of our educational system, from pre-K through college, and recent achievement results from around the country provide hope and many lessons for Michigan to take to heart.
Statewide educational improvement is possible – and within our grasp. By making a sustained, comprehensive commitment and investment in the levers we know work, Michigan can get back on track.
Michigan spent $80 million to improve early reading. Scores went down.
by Ron French, Bridge Once a week, Amanda Price volunteers in a first-grade classroom in Lakeshore Elementary in Holland. “They’re doing great,” said the form…
Mich. dip in 3rd-grade reading worst of 11 states
by Jennifer Chambers, The Detroit News Despite investing heavily in early literacy since 2015, Michigan schools showed the largest decline in third-grade read…
High-poverty schools in Grand Rapids and Wyoming, Mich., are showing dramatic improvements in student achievement.
Schools are focus of efforts to adopt strategies shown to work in leading education states.March 6, 2018 (ROYAL OAK, Mich.) – A focused effort to improve stude…
Top Ten For Education: Not By Chance
Michigan is at a critical moment in time — a historic moment where our citizens and leaders must choose whether we will take advantage of new opportunities to …
Honest School Information Central for Educational Improvement
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (Jan. 23, 2018) – Tonight, in his final State of the State address, Governor Rick Snyder spoke about the great need to focus on educational tr…
Mich. Ed. Update – Jan 23
Amazon Announcement Highlights Need for Educational TransformationThe following is from a January 22 blog post by Amber Arellano. Please click here for the ful…
Amazon Announcement Highlights Need for Educational Transformation
News of Amazon’s decision not to include Detroit or Grand Rapids as finalist cities for their second headquarters is disappointing and should serve as a wakeup…
Mich. Ed. Roundup – Dec 14
Dear Friends,Like you, I’m passionate about public education.That’s why every day at The Education Trust-Midwest, my organization and I are working tirelessly …
Mich. Ed. Roundup – September 19
Observing Hispanic Heritage MonthThe following excerpt is from a September 18, 2017 blog post. Read the full post here.This year, Hispanic Heritage Month, whic…
Opportunities Realized and Lost: Equity and Excellence in Michigan’s Budget
Education and equity advocates have much to celebrate in this budget, including additional dollars for our most vulnerable students. Despite this progress, cha…
Letter grades show school quality
Amber Arellano, Sandy Baruah, Dan Quisenberry and Doug RothwellThe Detroit NewsReport card time. You open the envelope, or perhaps the email, and see a ‘B’. Yo…
Mich. Ed. Roundup – April 25
"You need to expect students to perform at a level, because if you don't, they won't."Former Lt. Governor John Cherry was back in Lansing last week, urging a s…
Becoming Top Ten: An Analysis of Michigan’s ESSA Plan
In little more than a decade, Michigan has gone from being a fairly average state, to among the nation's bottom ten states in critical measures for student lea…
Education proposals this year could further harm Michigan students
Crain's Detroit Businessby Amber ArellanoWhatever you think about President-elect Donald Trump, it's clear that he has signaled a dramatically new direction fo…
Education proposals this year could further harm Michigan students
by Amber Arellano, Bridge MagazineWhatever you think about President-elect Donald Trump, it’s clear that he has signaled a dramatically new direction for the r…
Mich. Ed. Roundup – Dec. 6
Eighth-grade students make math and science gains, nationallyOver the last four years, students have shown improvement in grade 8 math and science, nationally.…
Mich. Ed. Roundup – Nov. 29
Statement on the Selection of Betsy DeVos for Secretary of EducationThe full text of this statement is available here.On Wednesday, November 23, President-elec…
Joint Letter Recommending Continuing with M-STEP
October 10, 2016 Members of the Michigan State Board of Education,As you consider plans to comply with the requirements of the fede…
New Assessment Scores Show Need for Michigan to Remain on Track with M-STEP
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (Aug. 30, 2016) – New results from the Michigan Student Test for Educational Progress (M-STEP) emphasize how critical it is for Michigan to co…
