Michigan’s Fostering Futures scholarship program is taking applications now from college-bound high school students who have been part of the state’s foster system. Michigan Education Trust Director Diane Brewer tells WSJM News Fostering Futures provides up to $3,000 in support for college students who were in foster care on or after their 13th birthday. She says young people coming out of foster care often have trouble going to college.
“Approximately 70% of students who come out of foster care would like to attend college,” Brewer said. “The percentage who will actually go on to college is about 10%, and of that, less than 3% will graduate. A lot of that has to do with the expense of college.”
LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation marking May 3 - May 7 as Teacher Appreciation Week. "Teachers always.
May 6, 2021
In a recent op-ed, the president of Michigan’s second largest teachers union stated, “One thing we know for certain is that we need to start paying educators what they’re worth .”
The opinion piece by David Hecker, president of the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan, appeared in the May 4 edition of The News-Herald of Sterling Heights.
Hecker’s statement is ironic because teacher contracts negotiated by the union he heads base pay almost entirely on just two factors. These are a teacher’s seniority and the number of college credits and credentials the teacher has acquired. The same is true for contracts negotiated with public school districts by the state’s largest teachers union, the Michigan Education Association.
“We have missed out on so many senior traditions and a traditional ceremony would be a wonderful way to celebrate our hard work.”
On April 27, the state issued guidelines for graduations that limit occupancy at commencement ceremonies to 50 percent of venues’ capacity.
A bill making its way through the Legislature would exempt graduation ceremonies from those rules. Sponsor Rep. Ann Bollin, R-Brighton, said school districts and parents should make decisions regarding gatherings, not the state.
“It is an independent decision that every family has to make,” Bollin said. “I think that people will act responsibly.”
Bollin’s bill, which passed the House Education Committee on Tuesday, would apply to public and private high schools honoring the 2020 or 2021 classes during the 2020-21 school year.
70-year-old Metro Detroit woman graduates from high school with inspiring message
Hermelinda Sporea earns high school diploma 50 years later than expected
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Utica Community Schools’ continuing education center has plenty of success stories, but very few have the experience like Hermelinda Sporea does.
At 70 years old, Sporea is an inspiration, finally earning her high school diploma half a century later than expected.
In 1963, when she was 13 years old, Sporea was already working. At that time, it wasn’t uncommon for kids to drop out of school, opting to work instead.
She continued to work, but also got training in other areas earning five certificates and working in printing and advertising. Sporea eventually went on to meet her husband, start a family and raise five children. She also opened her own salon after attending beauty school.