education

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.

State Lawmakers Committed To Passing Education Reforms By End Of The Year

Jake Neher — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 23:13:44 +0000

Republican state lawmakers are not backing down from plans to pass major changes in education by the end of the year.

State Lawmakers Gearing Up For Battle Over Education In Lame Duck

Jake Neher — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:45:35 +0000

A battle over some proposed big changes in how Michigan handles education is brewing in the state Legislature.

University Of Phoenix To Close 8 Mich. Locations

The Associated Press — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 22:17:57 +0000

University of Phoenix plans to close eight of its 10 Michigan locations as part of a broader effort to phase out some of its campuses and learning centers.

Snyder: Michigan Needs to Educate More People for Skilled Trades

Rick Pluta — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 22:17:38 +0000

Governor Rick Snyder says Michigan and the rest of the country lost sight of the value of vocational training as young people were encouraged to get four-year college degrees.

Cochran, Schor, Abed Call For Restoration of MI School Funding

Mark Bashore — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 22:36:24 +0000

Several key Lansing-area Democrats say almost a billion dollars in state education funding should be restored to Michigan schools.

In New School Year, MSU Expands Engineering 'CoRe' Program

Mark Bashore — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 22:27:35 +0000

Tens of thousands of Michigan State University students are a few days into the new academic year.

At the university's engineering school, administrators contend with one of MSU's highest transfer and dropout rates. But they're hoping a program that combines class work with non-curricular activities will help more students stick with the major.

With MSU, Holt Educator Keeps Closer Learning Tabs on Students

Mark Bashore — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 04:00:00 +0000

A growing number of Michigan teachers are adding something new to their skill sets. Advocates of “formative assessment” say it’s important to continually track whether students are learning material—not just at test time.