Lunch woes? Staff shortages? Quarantines? Tell us how Michigan’s school year is going.

This Chalkbeat callout shows children eating lunch at a long table in Detroit.
Most Michigan students are back to learning in-person, a welcome change after a year in virtual school. But COVID remains a major obstacle to education. As we continue to cover this challenging, hopeful year, we’re asking parents to guide us. (Anthony Lanzilote for Chalkbeat)

When Michigan schools reopened this fall, the new semester was hailed as an opportunity for academic and social recovery after a COVID-scrambled school year.

So far, the results have been mixed.

Most students are back to learning in person, a welcome change after a challenging year in virtual school. But COVID remains a major obstacle to education.

Just ask the students in lengthy quarantines, parents concerned about shortages of special education aides and security guards, and families that had to scramble after their child’s school was closed due to a COVID outbreak.

As we continue to cover this challenging, hopeful year, we’re asking parents to guide us.

Please tell us about your concerns and priorities by filling out the survey below. If you have trouble viewing the survey, go here.

The Latest

The case between a fledgling Christian charter school and the Knox County Board of Education could bring a fresh challenge to the religious charter issue that deadlocked the U.S. Supreme Court in 2025.

The Board of Education approved amendments to the academic calendar that eliminates half days for students during staff professional development days. Members also approved a wellness policy that codifies student access to recess and bathroom breaks.

The funds come from a Schools Development Authority grant for urgent building needs and to prevent further deterioration.

School board members pressed Superintendent Watlington for more details about the proposal.

Meanwhile, the Denver school board is debating its own policy that would similarly bar ICE agents from school property without a warrant.

After debate about when the first semester should end, the school board ultimately chose to adopt calendars in which the semester would end after winter break.