Features

Service learning from the source: An AmeriCorps VISTA's journey

Megan Lendman Thursday, December 17, 2015

Why do service learning at all? Teachers are already swamped with content and criteria. After only three months and first-hand experience facilitating and witnessing service learning, I am convinced that every student should be exposed. Every young person becomes a member of society; therefore, they must play an active part in it.

Southwest Michigan

From cradle to career: The scope of special education today

Jackie McLane Thursday, November 19, 2015

It takes an army. Intermediate school district administrators, educators and parents all play a role in order to provide students with disabilities the education they deserve and a chance to lead self-determined, independent lives.

Southeast Michigan, Northern Michigan, Upper Peninsula, Southwest Michigan, Mid Michigan

Q&A: Ingham Intermediate School District superintendent grants all-inclusive athletic opportunities

Jordan Sweat Thursday, November 19, 2015

Every parent wants their child to feel a sense of belonging and achievement within his or her community. Dr. Scott Koenigsknecht, superintendent of Ingham Intermediate School District, is no different. When one of his five children was diagnosed with autism, he did not want this dream to be hindered. Dr. Koenigsknecht and his wife, Jennifer, established the Central Michigan chapter of No More Sidelines.

Mid Michigan

START Community Conversations help students gain valuable opportunities

Statewide Autism Resources and Training Thursday, November 19, 2015

For decades, employees at DTE Energy in Detroit used an outdated filing system. It didn’t work properly and everyone hated using it. Anthony changed all that.

Southeast Michigan, Southwest Michigan

Early childhood education: First responders

Alicia Kruk and Emma Jackson Thursday, November 19, 2015

What Johnny and Jane can accomplish in their formative years can impact their ability to receive a diploma and expand quality of life options. Implementing positive building blocks, that are appropriate and impact young children, are part of the Early On program at Washtenaw Intermediate School District.

Southeast Michigan

Detroit Children's Choir brings together diverse voices from around the region

Chloe Seymour Thursday, October 15, 2015

For several years, Detroit Public Schools has been working to keep arts education programs afloat amidst statewide budget cuts. In our Partners in Arts series, Model D and InspirED Michigan are exploring how partnerships with nonprofits throughout Detroit are ensuring DPS students have access to the arts and are experiencing the impact of music, dance, theater and more in their lives.

Southeast Michigan

DSO webcasts bring classical music to Detroit classrooms

Chloe Seymour Thursday, October 15, 2015

An innovative program of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra provides students with an opportunity to "attend" the orchestra without leaving their desks.

Southeast Michigan

Matrix Theatre students create stage art around Detroit experiences

Chloe Seymour Thursday, October 15, 2015

While many children indulge in video games and television when they return home from school, Matrix Theatre students are a different breed. These dedicated students spend their after-school hours -- and yes, even their precious weekends -- transforming abstract ideas into scripts, running lines and watching their concepts come alive on stage.

Southeast Michigan

Arts integration deepens learning

Kathryn Dewsbury-White Thursday, October 15, 2015

In Mid-Michigan, teachers are learning how -- and why -- to infuse the arts into students’ everyday experiences, thanks to a partnership between Ingham Intermediate School District and the MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts & Creativity at Wharton Center for the Performing Arts.

Mid Michigan

From STEM to STEAM: Why one community is rallying for the A in classroom curriculum

Kayla Putz Thursday, October 15, 2015

The first few weeks of school are here and gone. Many students have used the time as an adjustment period -- meeting teachers, memorizing schedules and recapping material to prepare for an entire new year of learning. That wasn’t the case for Keep Learning Week student participants.

Mid Michigan

Otsego students expand art education and explore ArtPrize

Holly McCaw Thursday, October 15, 2015

From painting to sculpting to chalk and paper mache, there are all types of art that students are exposed to in school. Otsego students, however, have unique opportunities to step out of their classes and experience art as a professional artist and view professional artists at work.

Southwest Michigan

Teacher accountability: why pointing fingers isn't doing us any favors

Kayla Putz Thursday, September 17, 2015

Accountability is an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility. Teacher accountability? Accepting the responsibility of student success and failure. Here’s the issue: the United States consistently ranks low globally in educational attainment.

Q&A: Marc Tucker on accountability

Kayla Putz Thursday, September 17, 2015

What is teacher accountability? More importantly, what does it mean for our schools? InspirED Michigan chatted with Marc Tucker, president of the National Center on Education and the Economy, to help understand the complexity of the national accountability issue.

Standards may change, but the process remains

Emma Jackson Thursday, September 17, 2015

You can’t buy it in a can. Assessment literacy, when carefully taught, provides time to absorb, discern and put skills into practice. Some teachers claim to have a grasp of the subject, when in reality the data is often misunderstood, misinterpreted and misleading.

Southeast Michigan

Virtual academy gets concrete results

Syeda Ferguson Thursday, September 17, 2015

In the past six years, more than 250 students who weren’t finding success in traditional schools have earned high school or general education diplomas through the St. Clair County Virtual Learning Academy. They were students who either were expelled, dropped out or weren’t finding their footing in classrooms.

Southeast Michigan