Michigan schoolkids struggle with pandemic learning loss, but there’s a bright spot
February 11, 2025
While Michigan placed 44th nationwide in post-pandemic reading recovery, recovery in math has been much better according to the Education Recovery Scorecard. Deborah Loewenberg Ball says this improvement is likely due to spending on teachers’ professional development and progress...
Pamela Davis-Kean discusses the importance and impact of mathematical skills in educational development in Insights presentation
February 10, 2025
Contact: Jon Meerdink ([email protected])ANN ARBOR — Math is a skill that can be learned — but not enough American students are hitting their early indicators for future success in mathematics.For years, American students have lagged behind their international counterparts in math...
Paper explores more cost-efficient methods in survey research with national samples
February 10, 2025
A new paper from a team at the Survey Research Center and the Institute for Social Research, led by Brady West and Bill Axinn, explores new methods for collecting data for demographic research from national samples.In “Toward a New Approach to Creating Population-Representative...
Paper explores more cost-efficient methods in survey research with national samples
February 7, 2025
Contact: Jon Meerdink ([email protected])ANN ARBOR — A new paper from a team at the Institute for Social Research, led by Brady West and Bill Axinn, explores new methods for collecting data for demographic research from national samples.In “Toward a New Approach to Creating...
Unpaid caregivers find moments of joy in daily life
January 29, 2025
ANN ARBOR—Debunking the myth that unpaid caregivers are sacrificing most of their time and joy, a University of Michigan study found that caregivers spend most of the day engaged in other pleasant activities.Whether through religious practices, physical activity or other fulfilling pursuits,...
Consumer sentiment down amid disagreements on new government policies
January 24, 2025
ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment fell for the first time in six months, edging down 4% from December.While assessments of personal finances inched up for the fifth consecutive month, both the short- and long-run business outlook weakened in January, said economist Joanne Hsu, director of the...
Joanne Hsu discusses the political divide in consumer sentiment
January 21, 2025
While the overall economy is good – inflation and unemployment are down and wages are up – consumers have not been feeling great. Now that political power is changing, so is spending and consumer sentiment.Joanne Hsu told Marketplace, “Republicans believe Trump’s...
Dementia Cases in the U.S. Will Surge in the Coming Decades, Researchers Say
January 15, 2025
A new study in Nature Medicine finds the lifetime risk of dementia is likely to double over the next 35 years, primarily due to the growing aging population. Ken Langa, who was not an author on the study, told the New York Times, “Even if the rate is significantly lower...
Wayne-Westland schools combat Pandemic learning loss with literacy coaches to boost 3rd-grade reading
January 14, 2025
Third grade is a critical year for learning as it can determine how well they do for the rest of their academic lives. The Michigan Department of Education has found literacy scores have been dropping among this group since 2020. Pamela Davis-Kean says, “We have people that are basically...
1 in 4 older Michiganders lack enough friends. That’s a health concern
January 9, 2025
Older Americans are increasingly experiencing loneliness and isolation. According to new research, one in three older Americans feel a lack of companionship “some of the time” or “often,” while 1 in 10 older Americans could not name one close friend. Feelings of social...