Student debt: When fixing cars breaks the bank
Americans owe close to a trillion dollars in student loan debt . Changing Gears has been reporting on that debt , a lot of which comes from attending private, for-profit schools. Theyre the fastest...
View ArticleChanging Michigan's educational focus
Theres a push to change Michigans high school graduation standards to encourage more students to pursue vocational training. But state education officials oppose the proposed changes.
View ArticleToo much emphasis on a four-year degree, says Michigan Governor
Governor Rick Snyder said 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. The governor spoke today...
View ArticleStudy: Metro Detroit has nation's third-highest rate of "youth disconnection"
A new report says Metro Detroit has a serious problem with “disconnected” youth. The Measure of America study shows 17%, or more than 85,000, of the region’s 16-to-24-year olds aren’t working or in...
View ArticleIn this morning's Michigan news headlines. . .
Snyder promotes vocational training "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...
View ArticleDoes everyone need a four-year college degree?
Yesterday, Rick Pluta reported on a speech by Gov. Rick Snyder that called for a reemphasis on vocational and community college education over more traditional four-degrees. We posted his story on...
View ArticleShould Michigan make learning a foreign language optional?
A bill in the state legislature would drop the foreign language requirement in Michigan high schools. State Representative Phil Potvin dismisses the suggestion that learning a foreign language will...
View ArticleSurvey: Michigan small businesses want changes to graduation standards
Small business owners want Michigan to make its curriculum standards for high school students more flexible. The state passed broad standards in 2006 for all students. They are supposed to ensure all...
View ArticleMichigan high school curriculum could be changing - for better or worse?
Education is front and center these days in Michigan. Governor Snyder spoke today to a summit of education leaders, calling for businesses to get more closely involved with public education. Snyder...
View ArticleMichigan's schools can learn a thing or two from Macomb Community College
When it comes to education, there are two things on which pretty much everyone agrees. We need more of it, and we need to make it more affordable. But there’s a third thing, too. We need to make it...
View ArticleThere's a teacher shortage in Michigan's career and tech programs
Michigan has a teacher shortage, at least when it comes to vocational programs. Education administrators say it's creating "emergency situations" in some parts of the state, especially rural areas.
View ArticleState doubles capacity to prep inmates for in-demand jobs
Michigan is more than doubling the capacity of a special job-training program for qualified prisoners who are nearing their release. The state has opened a second "vocational village" in as many years,...
View ArticleEmployers are recruiting graduates of a Michigan prison's job training program
The Next Idea Most offenders in Michigan’s prisons will someday be released. Figuring out what to do next is difficult. Some may lack skills, and employers are wary of hiring people who have done time....
View ArticleCriminal offender recidivism rate down sharply in Michigan
The number of criminal offenders who return to prison within three years hit a record low last year -- to 28%. The recidivism high was 46% in 1998. Chris Gautz is a spokesman for the Michigan...
View ArticleAfter finding “brotherhood” behind bars, ex-offenders help others navigate...
Upon release from prison, ex-offenders often enter a world full of uncertainty. Where do you live? Where do you work? How do you survive? Mario Bueno tries to help people find these answers. He is the...
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