AnnArbor.com News - Category: Education

Ypsilanti charter school's contract won't be renewed

2012-02-09T18:39:52-04:00

Victory Academy in Ypsilanti Township won't have its contract renewed by the Bay Mills Indian Community, according to a report in the Ypsilanti Courier.

Continue reading Ypsilanti charter school's contract won't be renewed...

Ann Arbor area K-12 leaders welcome proposed funding boost but question 'best practices' structure

2012-02-09T15:03:41-04:00

Washtenaw County school district leaders saw a number of positive aspects in Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget proposal Thursday.

But some school officials said the second-year governor has a long way to go to make up for what many say was the worst year for K-12 education in Michigan’s history.

Continue reading Ann Arbor area K-12 leaders welcome proposed funding boost but question 'best practices' structure...

Snyder ties incentives to student growth, dedicates $179 million to help pay school retirement costs

2012-02-09T12:23:57-04:00

This story is being updated. Check back later for reactions from local school districts.

Gov. Rick Snyder this morning proposed a beefed up K-12 budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year.

Continue reading Snyder ties incentives to student growth, dedicates $179 million to help pay school retirement costs...

Rick Snyder wants 3% funding boost for public universities

2012-02-09T11:00:23-04:00

Last update: 12:22 p.m.

After double-digit funding decreases last year, Michigan's 15 public universities may get the increase in state backing they've been calling for, although not in a form they'd prefer.

Continue reading Rick Snyder wants 3% funding boost for public universities...

Snyder increases school funding and ties increase to scores

2012-02-09T10:38:22-04:00

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is tying lots of strings to the extra cash he's offering public schools, universities and communities in next year's budget.

To get a share of the 1 percent increase being offered to K-12 schools in the budget year that starts Oct. 1, school districts would have to show through standardized tests that students are learning a full year's worth of material as they move from grade to grade. They'd also have to offer a mix of options including schools of choice, online learning and dual enrollment for high school students who want to take college classes, according to a copy of the budget obtained in advance by The Associated Press.

Continue reading Snyder increases school funding and ties increase to scores ...

Should U-M schedule more non-football events at the Big House?

2012-02-09T05:58:41-04:00

Previous story: Regents approve use of Michigan Stadium for 2013 NHL Winter Classic

News that the National Hockey League will be hosting the 2013 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium has many Michigan fans thinking: What other ways can America's largest football stadium be used during the 300-plus days each year it sits empty?

Continue reading Should U-M schedule more non-football events at the Big House?...

Ann Arbor schools will spend $9,000 for electronic board documents software

2012-02-09T05:58:00-04:00

Editor's note: This story has been edited to reflect the correct total savings to the district.

Ann Arbor school board members soon will have laptops in front of them at meetings instead of paper packets.

Continue reading Ann Arbor schools will spend $9,000 for electronic board documents software...

Gov. Rick Snyder expected to propose 3-percent increase to Michigan education funding

2012-02-08T17:28:07-04:00

Previous story: Schools, others hope for money in Michigan spending plan

Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to propose a 3-percent increase to education funding during his budget presentation Thursday, according to a report by Lansing news service Gongwer.

Continue reading Gov. Rick Snyder expected to propose 3-percent increase to Michigan education funding...

Michigan bill allowing more cyber charter schools advances

2012-02-08T15:18:52-04:00

A Republican-led state House committee narrowly approved a bill Wednesday that would allow more online charter schools in Michigan, a proposal sought by supporters of more educational choice but criticized by Democrats who question the schools' track records.

Continue reading Michigan bill allowing more cyber charter schools advances ...

Ann Arbor school policy says police should have been notified of Eberwhite sexual assault claim

2012-02-08T14:12:16-04:00

Ann Arbor Public Schools’ legal obligation to report an 8-year-old's claim that she was sexually assaulted at Eberwhite Elementary to Child Protective Services falls into a gray area, according to legal professionals.

But the district’s Code of Conduct and Consequences is clear. It says in incidents of alleged criminal sexual conduct, the building principal “must refer the incident to local and state enforcement agencies.”

Continue reading Ann Arbor school policy says police should have been notified of Eberwhite sexual assault claim...

Official: Ann Arbor schools have capacity for district-wide all-day kindergarten

2012-02-08T05:59:00-04:00

Ann Arbor's elementary schools should have the building capacity to start all-day kindergarten in the district next school year, the director of the district's physical properties says.

“(The data) tells me generally there are no buildings that, by capacity, jump out and say, ‘You’ve got a problem,’” said Randy Trent, executive director of physical properties for Ann Arbor Public Schools.

Some officials were originally concerned about capacity and whether the district could hold more sections of all-day kindergarten, since each half-day class would need its own classroom under a full-day program.

Continue reading Official: Ann Arbor schools have capacity for district-wide all-day kindergarten...

Eberwhite principal issues email to parents about school sexual assault lawsuit

2012-02-07T20:45:16-04:00

The principal at Eberwhite Elementary School on Tuesday afternoon sent an email to parents, responding to a lawsuit filed against Ann Arbor Public Schools.

Continue reading Eberwhite principal issues email to parents about school sexual assault lawsuit...

Security or police? Unclear role at University of Michigan hospital contributed to child porn reporting delay

2012-02-07T14:58:05-04:00

Their logos look similar to police badges, they've been known to tell people they're law enforcement —in fact, their website says they are— they conduct baseline criminal investigations and select 911 calls are routed to their headquarters.

Yet despite appearances, University of Michigan hospital security workers are not members of the school's Department of Public Safety.

Continue reading Security or police? Unclear role at University of Michigan hospital contributed to child porn reporting delay...

2 Ann Arbor schools make list of highest-performing charters in Michigan

2012-02-07T12:42:42-04:00

Two Ann Arbor-area charter schools are among those lauded by Bridge Magazine as academic champs in its statewide analysis of charter school performance.

Continue reading 2 Ann Arbor schools make list of highest-performing charters in Michigan...

U-M faculty members say child porn discovery 'fell through the cracks,' stop short of calling for external review

2012-02-06T17:59:11-04:00

A group of University of Michigan faculty members Monday stopped short of calling for an external review into a six-month lapse in university officials reporting the discovery of child pornography in a University Hospital employee area.

Stephen Jenson

"Part of the nagging issue that’s haunting the institution as a result of this case ... is the apparent discomfort with evaluations and investigations," John Lehman, a biology professor, said at a Faculty Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs meeting Monday.

"This thing fell through the cracks," Lehman continued, criticizing the botched reporting of child pornography found on a thumb drive in an employee computer at University Hospital in May. Although a medical resident, her supervisor, hospital security and the university's legal office knew about the pornography, it was not reported to police until Nov. 18.

Stephen Jenson, a 36-year-old medical resident who worked regularly with children during the six-month reporting lapse, was charged Dec. 17 with four counts of possessing child pornography.

Continue reading U-M faculty members say child porn discovery 'fell through the cracks,' stop short of calling for external review...