Results for “higher education policy”
23 stories
- Michigan Education
Whitmer Signs Eight Bipartisan Bills to Invest in Michigan Universities and Community Colleges
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed eight bipartisan bills that expand capital outlay project authorizations across Michigan's universities and community colleges and help balance the Fiscal Year 2027 budget without raising taxes. The measures unlock more than $1.3 billion in project authorizations across 27 higher education institutions.
September 24, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - politics
Michigan Prisoners Break Participation Records as State Expands Education Programs
Michigan prisons report record participation as nearly 4,000 inmates complete educational and vocational programs, up 66% from 2020, with partnerships expanding postsecondary opportunities across 26 facilities.
April 8, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - saginaw
Saginaw Families in Focus as Whitmer Unveils Michigan Poverty Task Force Report With 7 New Policy Recommendations
Governor Whitmer released the Michigan Poverty Task Force 2026 Report with seven new TANF reform recommendations and data showing 40 percent of Michiganders live at or below the threshold needed to cover basic expenses.
June 4, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - politics
Federal Education Tax Credit Program Targets Michigan as State Lags in Reading Scores
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon is urging Michigan to opt into a new federal tax credit program that could expand school choice options for families. The Education Freedom Tax Credit allows taxpayers to claim up to $1,700 in credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, with the program expected to be available starting in 2027. As Michigan ranks 44th nationally in fourth-grade reading scores, the federal program has attracted support from state Republican leaders while facing concerns from education officials about its potential impact on public schools.
April 4, 2026·Michigan Capitol·6 sources - politics
U.S. Education Secretary McMahon Urges Michigan to Join Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited Metro Detroit and urged Governor Whitmer to join a federal tax credit scholarship program that would allow donors to receive tax benefits for contributions to nonprofit scholarship funds for K-12 students.
March 31, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - Michigan Education
Michigan to Give Schools $40 Million to Enroll More High Schoolers in College
Michigan is directing $40 million in new state funding to expand dual enrollment, prioritizing districts where more than half of students are economically disadvantaged. The investment aims to lift Michigan's dual-enrollment participation, which ranks among the lowest in the nation.
August 31, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - Michigan Education
Michigan third-grade reading scores hit 12-year low as M-STEP results released
The Michigan Department of Education released 2026 M-STEP results on Friday, showing third-grade English Language Arts proficiency fell to 38.2%, the lowest in the exam's 12-year history. Overall, only 44% of students in grades 3 through 8 are proficient in reading. State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko acknowledged the results are not where Michigan wants them to be, even as new literacy laws begin to take effect.
September 4, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - grand-rapids
Grand Rapids Schools Miss Out as Michigan Snow Day Forgiveness Bill Leaves West Michigan Behind
Governor Whitmer signed House Bill 5797 to forgive snow days for Northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula schools. Kent County and most of West Michigan were excluded, leaving Grand Rapids-area districts to make up lost time on their own.
May 30, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - politics
Michigan Expands Tuition-Free Education and Career Training Programs as State Invests $558.9 Million in Student Financial Aid
Michigan invested over $558.9 million in student financial aid during the 2024-2025 academic year, helping 153,000 students access tuition-free community college, career training, and four-year degree programs. The state is hosting more than 25 events this April to promote these opportunities as part of Career Exploration and Awareness Month.
April 9, 2026·Michigan Capitol·5 sources - Michigan Legislature
Michigan third grade reading scores fall to 12-year low even as literacy reforms take hold
New M-STEP results show just 38.2% of third graders in Michigan are proficient in English Language Arts, down from 38.9% the prior year. It is the lowest third grade reading proficiency in the 12-year history of the exam, according to data released by the Michigan Department of Education.
September 10, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - muskegon
Muskegon’s Brianna Scott Leads MSU Board in Controversial Vote to Double President’s Pay, Impose New Ethics Gag Rule
Muskegon's Brianna Scott leads the MSU Board of Trustees through a Sunday night special meeting that nearly doubles the president's salary to $2 million and adopts a controversial ethics policy critics call a gag order.
May 20, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - politics
Governor Whitmer Orders Study of Tariff Impact on Michigan Economy as Federal Refund Process Unclear
Governor Whitmer signs executive directive requiring state agencies to report on economic impact of federal tariffs and ensure businesses understand refund process after Supreme Court strikes down tariff policy.
April 6, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - Michigan Education
Just 1 in 4 Michigan Juniors Are 'College Ready,' SAT Scores Indicate
Only about a quarter of Michigan 11th graders met the College Board's college-ready benchmark on the SAT in the 2025-2026 school year, a continued decline from a decade ago that has renewed debate over how the state measures student success.
6d ago·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - West Michigan
State Sen. Jim Runestad moves to repeal Michigan's data center tax breaks
A Republican state senator plans to introduce legislation that would repeal sales and use tax exemptions granted to data center developers, a move that supporters say protects taxpayers and opponents warn would chill investment.
September 7, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - Michigan Budget
Whitmer signs her final bipartisan budget, cutting spending below both parties' proposals
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed her eighth and final budget as governor on Tuesday, a balanced FY 2026-27 plan worth about $75.2 billion that came in below the House and the governor's original proposals.
September 7, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - marquette
Marquette Ratepayers Face New $456 Million Consumers Energy Hike as Nessel Vows to Intervene
Consumers Energy filed a $456 million rate increase request with the MPSC. Attorney General Dana Nessel will intervene. The hike could raise Marquette area bills nearly 10 percent.
June 4, 2026·Michigan Capitol·5 sources - lansing
Lansing Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Force Gray Wolf Hunt in Upper Peninsula
Rep. Dave Prestin introduced House Bill 6008, which would require the Michigan DNR to open a gray wolf hunting season in the Upper Peninsula within 90 days of federal protections being lifted. The bill has 13 Republican co-sponsors.
May 27, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - muskegon
Michigan House Budget Would Shift Childcare Billing From Enrollment to Attendance, Putting Muskegon Families at Risk
The Michigan House budget would shift childcare subsidy billing from enrollment to attendance. Providers warn the change could cost Muskegon and rural families $50 to $100 a month and push children out of subsidized care.
May 25, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - battle-creek
Battle Creek Rep. Steve Frisbie Leads Michigan House Vote to Eliminate $5 Billion in Property Taxes
Battle Creek Republican Rep. Steve Frisbie sponsored an eight-bill property tax package that passed the Michigan House, eliminating $5 billion to $7.5 billion in annual revenue. Democrats warn the cuts would devastate school funding.
May 25, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - kalamazoo
El Sol School to Host Open House at New Site in Kalamazoo
El Sol School in Kalamazoo will host an open house Monday at its new site at 1428 Baker Street. The new magnet school serving grades K-5 initially is planned for completion in the 2028-29 school year.
May 17, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - politics
Jocelyn Benson Proposes Banning Utility Political Spending in Michigan
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson proposes banning regulated utilities from spending money to influence or elect politicians in Michigan as part of a broader energy reform plan.
April 18, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - politics
Michigan Unlocks $51 Million for EV Charging Network Expansion After Federal Approval
Michigan unlocks $51 million in federal NEVI funds to expand electric vehicle charging network after Federal Highway Administration approval of state's 2026 infrastructure plan.
April 7, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - Michigan Budget
Michigan's new budget pushes state workers back to the office
The newly passed Michigan state budget sets a target of at least 80% in-office attendance and requires every state department to adopt a uniform return-to-office policy, ending years of widespread remote work.
September 2, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source