Ethan Bakuli
Reporter, Chalkbeat Detroit
Ethan Bakuli covers Detroit public schools for its students, parents, and teachers. Previously, he covered race, education, housing, and inaffordability as a reporter for the Burlington Free Press in Vermont. Prior to that, Ethan spent nearly two years as an intern instructor at New England Public Media’s Media Lab program, where he taught student journalists to report on topics such as food insecurity and mental health.
School board members noted the challenges of leading the district through the pandemic in upholding their “effective” rating of Vitti.
The Detroit board extended the tutoring contract with Beyond Basics, modified the student code of conduct and approved academic calendar.
The head of the Detroit teachers union said his members are fine with the lifting of the mandate, for now
Longtime literacy advocate Rachel Vitti left her position as a director with Beyond Basics in the wake of criticism from some education advocates
Districts’ new financial freedom could allow officials to focus more on educational priorities such as academics and teacher pay, or on reviving depleted elective programs
Superintendent Nikolai Vitti faces questions on the district’s choices on tutoring programs
Districts have once again beefed up their summer programming, from credit recovery to camps focused on robotics and sports.
The board heard calls from teachers and members of the public for tighter safety standards in light of national and local incidents of weapons in schools and social media threats.
Expected hot weather prompted the Detroit Public Schools Community District’s superintendent to preemptively call for early dismissals Wednesday through Friday.
Switch to Black History 365 program is part of a broader reexamination of social studies materials
Chronic absenteeism and academic failure have prompted the Detroit school district to tighten enrollment standards for the coming school year.
The district appears to be doing much of what experts say is critical to the success of such programs. But can it be sustained?
Tuesday’s temperatures approached 90 degrees, prompting district officials to dismiss schools hours early as a majority of school buildings lack air conditioning.
Vitti recommends against metal detectors for all schools, citing concern about ‘prison type of environment’
Christian Young talks about how he brings current events into his lessons, and the advice that he holds on to.
District is urged to rethink how it supports students’ mental health
The district will spend COVID relief funds to rebuild five schools, renovate buildings and reopen previously closed school buildings.
Superintendent Nikolai Vitti cited opposition among union members but signaled he would go ahead with lifting the mandate on July 1.
The district will share the updated proposals at the May 10 school board meeting.
Earlier opening would allow more time to recruit students for enrollment ahead of Count Day, superintendent says
Detroit is one of the few school districts in Michigan requiring universal testing for all employees, students and contractors.
The teacher challenged the Detroit school district’s requirement that most teachers work in person, citing medical conditions that put her at risk of acute COVID-19.
The new policy, if approved by the board would requires all employees to disclose their COVID vaccine status.
Detroit is among the few remaining school districts in the state, along with Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo, that still have a mask requirement.
In recent years, students across the country have challenged their school dress codes, citing disparate impact on some students including sexist enforcement toward female students.
Chalkbeat Detroit, Bridge Michigan, and The Detroit Free Press held a discussion Wednesday to discuss how schools can support students with mental health needs.
The district is investigating the death of a veteran school employee who intervened in a fight near Henry Ford High Thursday afternoon.
As the Detroit Public Schools Community District has committed to improving the program, families are finding that being enrolled in the district’s virtual school is not easy.
The Detroit school board addressed its vaccine mandate and compensation for its members at its Tuesday meeting.