Special Report
Education

Michigan

By Bess Keller — May 03, 2005 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

To give a boost to learning in some of Michigan’s neediest middle schools, the state bolstered federal technology money with state funds during the 2004-05 school year to put wireless laptops in the hands of some 20,000 students, mostly 6th graders, and their teachers.

Originally, state leaders had wanted to provide the computers to all of Michigan’s middle school students, but tightening budgets prompted both local and state policymakers to pull back from that ambitious plan. In the end, the state earmarked just $3.7 million for the Freedom to Learn Program, which was then mostly paid for by $22.6 million in federal aid.

Two-thirds of the state money went for professional development, helping teachers make use of computers to monitor student progress and improve classroom learning, says Bruce Montgomery, the executive director of the program.

The state also maintained its $1.75 million subsidy for the Michigan Virtual University, a nonprofit corporation that offers K-12 schools online courses, test preparation, and career guidance. MVU enrolled about 1,000 summer school students in 2004—most of them were high school students, but there were also some middle school students.

Jamey Fitzpatrick, the interim president of the corporation, says he expects MVU to play an important role in meeting Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s goal of doubling the number of Michigan residents who get postsecondary credentials. It is also helping educators meet the federal government’s standard for “highly qualified” teachers, he says, with nearly 100 professional- development workshops for educators expected to be online in spring 2005.

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
IT Infrastructure & Management Webinar
The Reality of Change: How Embracing and Planning for Change Can Shape Your Edtech Strategy
Promethean edtech experts delve into the reality of tech change and explore how embracing and planning for it can be your most powerful strategy for maximizing ROI.
Content provided by Promethean
Reading & Literacy K-12 Essentials Forum Reading Instruction Across Content Disciplines
Join this free virtual event to hear from educators and experts implementing innovative strategies in reading across different subjects.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
Harnessing AI to Address Chronic Absenteeism in Schools
Learn how AI can help your district improve student attendance and boost academic outcomes.
Content provided by Panorama Education

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Quiz Education Week News Quiz: Nov. 26, 2024
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Small Business Administration administrator Linda McMahon attends a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Aug. 16, 2018, in Washington.
Small Business Administration administrator Linda McMahon attends a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Aug. 16, 2018, in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Education Briefly Stated: October 23, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read
Education Briefly Stated: October 2, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Briefly Stated: September 18, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read