Public Schools Archives | The Michigan Star

Census Bureau: Home-Schooling More Than Doubled in 2020, Higher in Some Regions

March 30, 2021March 29, 2021 The Center Square

Faced with ongoing state lockdowns and changing school restrictions last year, frustrated parents increasingly pulled their children out of public schools nationwide and found other educational options for their children, one of which was home-schooling.

According to a new U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey, a substantial increase in the number of parents who chose to home-school occurred in 2020 compared to 2019. The survey is the first data source to offer both a national and state-level look at the impact of COVID-19 on homeschooling rates, the report states.

Using a large, nationally representative sample of U.S. households, the survey found that home-schooling was notably higher than national benchmarks. It was conducted in phases to assess parental choices over different periods of the school year.

Politics, Competition With Religious Schools, Far Outweighed Science in School Shutdown Decisions, Analysis Found

October 27, 2020October 26, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

In response to state and local government shutdowns reportedly designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, schools districts and local governments implemented different reopening guidelines and timelines – but did so more because of politics or competition with private schools than because of science, a new report published by Brown University found.

The EdWorking Paper published by The Annenberg Institute at Brown University authored by Michael T. Hartney from Boston College and Leslie K. Finger from the University of North Texas found that “the most critical decision facing the nation’s school boards – whether or not to re-open in person and to what degree – appears to be closely related to the partisanship of a local school district.”

Counselor in Texas School District Shares List of Marxist Literature as ‘Tool’

August 2, 2020August 1, 2020 Sam Medley

A lengthy email from a counselor in Plano Independent School District (PISD) sent to colleagues contained three attachments including, among other things, a list of overtly Marxist media for use in classrooms, and a study guide for those “trying to become better allies.”

The attachments highlight materials like The 1619 Project (which claims America’s history is based on racism and slavery), talking points concerning the deaths of George Floyd; Breonna Taylor; and Ahmaud Arbery; and suggested reading lists including Marxist and Communist literature.

Commentary: Taxpayers Need to Hold Public Schools Accountable

July 10, 2020July 9, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

School districts around the country have been announcing reopening possibilities for the upcoming school year. The options often include full-time virtual learning, two or three in-person days at school, or a combination of the two.

In a few districts, I’ve seen four or five suggestions.

Commentary: American Schools Are Focusing on Diversity at History’s Expense

February 8, 2020February 7, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

The 1619 Project. By now many of us have either viewed ads about, seen references to, or read directly from this initiative of The New York Times, which marks four centuries since slaves first came to America.

Gov. Whitmer Says It’s Unconstitutional for State to Help Nonpublic Schools Comply with State Laws

December 10, 2019December 9, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said it’s “constitutionally prohibited” for the state to provide financial assistance to nonpublic schools in a recent legal brief.

Top Historians Slam NYT ‘1619 Project’ as It Infiltrates Public School Curriculum

December 2, 2019December 1, 2019 Michigan Star Staff

Multiple historians have slammed The New York Times’ “1619 Project” as others are pushing for it to continue being added into public school curriculum, calling the reframing of history false and disturbing.

Analysis: The School Funding Inequity Farce

November 27, 2019November 26, 2019 Michigan Star Staff

Leading presidential candidates and major media outlets are claiming that school districts with high concentrations of minorities and poor children generally receive less funding per student than other districts. That hasn’t been true for at least half a century, but people are spreading this myth through deceptive studies that exclude federal funds.

Quality Counts Analysis Reveals Nation’s Average C Grade Hasn’t Changed in Decades

September 17, 2019September 17, 2019 Michigan Star Staff

The nation’s average C grade on education hasn’t changed since 1997, when the annual assessment of the nation’s K-12 education system was first created by Education Week’s annual Quality Counts report.

Commentary: What Public Schools Get Wrong About Diversity

September 6, 2019September 6, 2019 Michigan Star Staff

Diversity. It’s one of the buzzwords of this generation. Forget sameness, everyone must be different, while at the same time inclusive. It’s that simple.

Records Show Michigan School Required Teachers to Attend Two-Day ‘Islamic Propaganda’ Seminar

August 23, 2019May 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A Freedom of Information Act request has uncovered evidence of “a well-orchestrated Islamic propaganda campaign aimed at teachers in school systems throughout Michigan and several other states.”

Michigan Teacher Says Public Schools ‘Worse Than Ever,’ Dominated by ‘Outrage Culture’

August 16, 2019May 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Lawrence M. Ludlow, who holds a master’s degree in Medieval Studies and has taught in the Detroit and Gross Pointe areas, recently wrote an article on his experience of returning to the classroom.

Analysis: Contrary to Popular Belief, Schools Are Not Becoming More Segregated

July 13, 2019July 20, 2019 Admin

by James D. Agresti A new frequent allegation of progressive politicians and media outlets is that America’s schools are becoming more racially segregated. They then argue that government must do something about it, like for example, go back to the forced busing policies of the 1970s. According to Bernie…