education

Governor Whitmer And MiLEAP Encourage Families To Enroll In Free Pre-K Programs

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), are urging families to enroll their four-year-olds in free, high-quality pre-K programs available through local school districts.

A historic investment in the state’s Pre-K for All initiative, part of Michigan’s new budget, will provide nearly 59,000 children across the state with access to free pre-K.

As of Aug. 15, enrollment has expanded to all families regardless of income level, with priority given to those who need it most. “This is a huge win for Michigan families,” said Governor Whitmer. “It saves parents thousands of dollars on child care costs while giving kids the educational foundation they need.”

 

For more information, visit: MiPreKforAll.org.

 

Reporting for WGRT -Choze Powell

Michigan Awards $20.5 Million In Grants For School Mental Health And Safety

Children in 76 Michigan intermediate school districts, public school districts, and public charter schools will benefit from nearly $20.5 million in grants from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Funded by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed by President Joe Biden, the grants aim to expand mental health services and enhance school safety initiatives.

“These grants will make our schools safer and more supportive for our students,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice.

Funds from the Stronger Connections Grant Program will be used to foster safe, healthy, and supportive school environments, provide mental health services, implement anti-bullying plans, and train educators. The goal is to improve student well-being, aligning with Michigan’s Strategic Top 10 Education Plan.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Michigan State Police Warn Parents About Online Safety As School Year Begins

As the new school year approaches, and parents begin to flood their social media pages with their children’s back to school information, the Michigan State Police (MSP) issued a warning urging parents to protect their children’s privacy when sharing back-to-school photos online.

“Before you hit post, remember to protect your child’s privacy,” MSP shared on social media platform X. They advised against including personal details such as names, school names or locations, grade levels, ages, and teachers’ names in photos.

The warning highlights the risks of sharing identifying information that could lead unwanted individuals to the school. The timely reminder aims to help families keep their children safe as they head back to school.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

State Rep. Jaime Greene Introduces Bill To Protect Jobs Of Michigan’s Part-Time Emergency Responders

State Rep. Jaime Greene (R-Richmond) has introduced the Emergency Responders Employment Protection Act to safeguard the jobs of Michigan’s part-time and volunteer emergency responders. House Bill 5905 aims to prevent employers from disciplining or terminating employees who are absent from work due to responding to emergencies.

“No one should have to choose between saving lives and keeping their job,” Greene stated, emphasizing the need to support those who serve the community. The bill would protect responders if an emergency occurs before their shift starts or during their shift within 15 miles of their workplace.

With recruitment and retention at critically low levels, the legislation seeks to ensure that emergency responders can fulfill their duties without fear of job loss. House Bill 5905 has been referred to the House Labor Committee for further consideration.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Michigan’s STEAM Ahead Program Breaks Records, Doubling Internship Participation

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) rebranded “STEAM Ahead” program is setting new records, funding over 570 summer internships in the first half of 2024 alone. This achievement more than doubles the program’s previous best semester in 2022, when 272 internships were funded. 

Originally launched as the STEM Forward initiative in 2021, the program was rebranded earlier this year to better incorporate roles that blend arts with science, technology, engineering, and math, such as front-end web development and industrial design. The revamped program offers increased financial incentives and a streamlined employer-reimbursement structure, attracting a growing number of participants. 

MEDC’s STEAM Ahead initiative is part of a broader effort to support Michigan’s priority industries, including electric vehicles, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing, ensuring a robust talent pipeline for the state’s future. Companies interested in participating can submit funding requests for fall 2024 internships beginning Aug. 12.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

“Batman Effect” Study Reveals Role-Playing Boosts Emotional Regulation In Children

A study conducted by the University of Minnesota has uncovered new insights into the “Batman Effect,” a phenomenon where children perform better on challenging tasks by pretending to be a fictional character like Batman, according to reflectionsciences.com. 

Researchers tested 139 children, ages 4 and 6, by giving them a frustrating task: unlocking a toy box with a set of keys that, unbeknownst to them, didn’t contain the right key.

The study found that children with lower executive function (EF) skills experienced significantly less frustration when adopting the perspective of a fictional character. By role-playing as Batman, Dora the Explorer, or other popular figures, these children were able to create “psychological distance” from the task, helping them manage their emotions more effectively. This suggests that role-play could be a valuable tool for improving emotional regulation, especially in children with lower EF skills.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell