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11 Articles | Page:

Educators call for change to standardized tests for ELL students

Anna Gustafson Wednesday, January 04, 2017
Grand Rapids educators and researchers are calling on the state to rethink their approach to the way standardized testing is conducted for English language learners.

Investing in what's working: GRPS offers diverse options

Zinta Aistars Monday, November 02, 2015
Choices in schools and approaches to learning contribute to the growing vitality of the city of Grand Rapids, attracting families to move to the city for the first time or to return.

Changing lives from the very start: Report identifies best measures to help at-risk kids

Nina Ignaczak Monday, November 02, 2015
More than half of Michigan's kids from birth to age three are at risk of showing up to kindergarten unprepared to learn. A new report outlines measures with the most evidence of success and highest return on investment to help them.

Data-Driven Solutions to Risky Teen Behavior

Natalie Burg Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Eliciting honest responses from teens about using contraception, eating well, carrying weapons, drinking alcohol, and partaking in other risky behaviors gives health practitioners and others information to help teens stay healthier and safer. 

Local and Fun: Getting Michigan Kids Fit

Veronica Gracia-Wing Wednesday, July 09, 2014
Community-mobilized fitness initiatives are getting young people moving, combating child obesity and its related health problems – one neighborhood at a time. 

Learning to Live with Little

Amy Kuras Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Low-income families are not unmotivated. On the contrary, they are inventive, managing basic living expenses with few resources. What challenges do low-income families face and what internal and external supports keep them moving toward greater stability?

Helping Michigan's homeless and runaway youth

Veronica Gracia-Wing Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Children make up a significant portion of Michigan's 86,000 homeless people. How are we helping young runaway and homeless youth have better outcomes? 

A Fix for Early Learning in Detroit

Melinda Clynes Sunday, March 23, 2014
Can Detroit turn the tide on poor early childhood education by raising the bar for faltering teachers and caregivers? Excellent Schools Detroit’s new E3 coached-based training hopes to make that happen.

Special Report: Child Health & Wellness

Veronica Gracia-Wing Wednesday, March 12, 2014
The 2013 national Kids Count data book reports Michigan ranking 31 out of 50 in child well-being. With this shaky foundation, Michigan has some serious work to do in improving child health and wellness outcomes. 

Coping with School Mediocrity

Amy Kuras Monday, February 17, 2014
Concerned parents serve as researchers, advocates, and change makers while navigating through struggling schools. And when parent speak up and communities rally, it boosts the educational climate for all students.   

Speaking Up, Speaking Out

Melinda Clynes Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Michigan youth are finding their voices and weighing in on solutions in their schools, neighborhoods and cities. Smart leaders are taping into teens’ creativity, innovation and energy to improve community life and fight for social justice.
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Michigan Nightlight relaunches: Here's where to find us across Michigan

Michigan Nightlight Staff Tuesday, June 23, 2015
GreenFist Project at Sprout Urban Farms

How Motivated Kids and Better Food Access Fit Together

Anya Zentmeyer Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Stuart Ray, Mindy Ysasi, Mike Kerkorian, Ellen Carpenter from Grand Rapids' Nonprofits

Jumping Ship: Former Corporate Leaders Tell All

Melinda Clynes Wednesday, August 13, 2014
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Bright Ideas

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Can systemic racism impact infant mortality?

Zinta Aistars Friday, June 12, 2015
Even when controlling for poverty, education level, and tobacco use of a mother, maternal and infant health outcomes are far worse for minority populations than European-American women. What's causing the continued disparities? And what can West Michigan do to ensure all babies born here have the best chance of reaching their potential? Zinta Aistars reports on Strong Beginnings, one local program working to give all families a fair start.
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Company Supports 4th Grade Field Trips to Lake Michigan

Victoria Mullen Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Parents working more than one job or odd hours, a lack of funds, and no transportation often prevent kids from experiencing one of Michigan’s incredible natural resources. For the majority of west side Grand Rapids elementary school kids, Lake Michigan is sadly out of reach. OST has teamed up with Grand Rapids Public Schools to give fourth-graders at west side schools the opportunity to experience the big lake firsthand.
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Youth Decide Where Grant Dollars are Spent

Anya Zentmeyer Wednesday, August 13, 2014
For Grand Rapids students who serve as trustees-in-training on the GRCF Youth Grant Committee, giving back to the community goes hand in hand with empowering students to succeed. 
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