Schools

Michigan students improved in slightly more than half of the grades and subjects tested on newer, more rigorous standardized assessments, but their proficiency declined in other areas. M-STEP results released Tuesday show that fewer than half of the students were proficient in 17 of 18 subject-grade tests. State officials say there’s work to be done, but they’re pleased testing times …

Students in the Glen Oaks Community College’s machine-tool program will now be able to work and learn on a new piece of equipment, thanks to Vaupell Midwest Molding of Constantine. Vaupell has donated an electrical-discharge machine to be housed in the newly renovated Machine Shop at the college. The donation means Vaupell is able to assist in helping educate Glen …

Some school-age children whose families were homeless have begun moving into temporary housing with funding from a property tax approved by Kalamazoo County voters. Kalamazoo residents in November approved a tax that is expected to raise about $800,000 a year for six years to provide temporary financial housing assistance and other support services. About $700,000 has been collected from winter …

Michigan is waiving more public schools from a decade-old law requirement to open after Labor Day — a nod to increasingly popular year-round schooling, the addition of more mandated class days and other factors. In 2006, the first year in which August start dates were legally off limits, the state Department of Education issued nine waivers. More than 10 times …

Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees last week voted to move forward with an application for a $ 6.5 million loan through the USDA for a proposed student-housing project. Approval followed a public hearing during which no one addressed the board about the matter. Glen Oaks President David Devier said Glen Oaks is the first community college in Michigan …

The Paul H. Casault Senior Center Memorial Fund recently awarded its first grant: a skilled-trades scholarship for Glen Oaks Community College student Jasmine McClish. The Paul H. Casault Senior Center Memorial Fund was established with a gift from the sale proceeds of the Paul H. Casault Senior Center building. The purpose of the fund is to support the Manufacturing and …

Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Jean Logan is inviting the public to a community pep rally taking place later this week. Logan said the Three Rivers Athletic Department is hosting the season’s first rally at 5 p.m. Friday at Armstrong Field. Parents, fans and community members will be introduced to the 2016-17 fall sports teams during the program. Hot dogs, …

Glen Oaks Community College is looking for alumni and friends interested in helping to establish an “Alumni and Friends Association.” Pam Hughes, director of Glen Oaks Community College Foundation, said it is looking to get people together who share appreciation for the college as a common bond. She explained that the idea is for the group to gather for local …

As a young biologist at the University of Michigan, Chen Xiaowei had plenty to like about life in the U.S. He was paid well as a researcher and enjoyed raising his family in Ann Arbor, a town he remembers as beautiful, friendly and highly educated. But an offer from a Chinese university for him to return home to Beijing was …

The president of Western Michigan University is retiring next year after 10 years in the job. John Dunn says he will serve through June 2017 and then become president emeritus for a year. He announced his retirement Monday to give university trustees plenty of time to find a successor. Kenneth Miller, chairman of WMU’s governing board, says the Kalamazoo school …