Online Learning: What Does the Research Tell Us? How Should the Research Shape Policy? League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2021-02-25 | What does research tell us about the effectiveness of virtual schools. Does it work for all kids? Does it work better for some children than others? Are there successful models that can be replicated in Michigan? Professor Michael Barbour will present research that shows virtual schools have not performed well. Research has consistently found that students enrolled in full-time virtual schools perform at levels well below their counterparts in face-to-face schools. He will also discuss po
Lansing City Council At-Large Forum | Clara Martinez & Julie Vandenboom League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2025-10-10 | On October 9, candidates for the Lansing City Council At-Large position were invited to participate in a public forum co-hosted by the Lansing Area League of Women Voters and the Allen Neighborhood Center. All registered candidates were invited to attend. Candidates Clara Martinez and Julie Vandenboom joined the event and answered questions submitted by community members and the live audience. In accordance with League of Women Voters guidelines, all candidates were asked the same questions and given equal time to respond.
East Lansing City Council Candidate Forum September 2025 League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2025-09-18 | East Lansing City Council candidates participated in a forum sponsored by the Lansing Area League of Women Voters and East Lansing Information. Questions came from the community. Each candidate was allowed the same time to answer each question as well as time for opening and closing statements.
The Refugee Issue Comes Home League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2025-07-01 | Speakers from Lansing area refugee services organizations explain what a refugee is, what support they receive locally, and how current policies are affecting the number of refugees arriving and available services. Speakers are Mariah Shafer, Outreach Director of the Refugee Development Center and Daniel Soza III, Refugee Capacity Team Lead for Samaritas Refugee Youth Services.Note: Quite often, questioners had extremely garble sound. Most of the time that was edited out to make this video easier to view. In most cases, there is an overlay in the video to point that out.
Investing in Schools Healthcare, Jobs and Retirement League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2025-06-28 | Dr. Josh Cowen, Professor of Education Policy at Michigan State University explains why public education is at risk along with other important social supports. This presentation was sponsored by the Lansing Area chapter of the League of Women Voters. For a deep dive into the education funding, view Privatizing Public School Funds on this change.
Privatizing Public School Funds: Threats to Equity, Access, & Educational Quality League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2025-04-30 | The LWVLA Education Committee introduces and defines the various private school choice programs. Currently, 33 states, as well as Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, have some form of choice, but all involve moving public funds to private schools. We will take a deep dive into the example of Arizona, where currently 12% of public education funds are going to private schools.
Green Investing: Go Green to Get Green League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2025-03-03 | Do you know what causes and corporations your spending and investment dollars actually support? Find out how you can target your personal finances to grow your savings and provide badly needed funding for environmental protection at the same time. Featuring New York based Henry Shilling and Michigan based Tom Stanton.
Lansing City Charter Commission Election Information League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2024-03-05 | This presentation is a high level overview of the functions of a city, the content of the Lansing City Charter, and how to find information on the 36 candidates who are running to be on the Lansing City Charter Commission. 9 candidates will be chosen from 36 who are running to participate in the review of the city charter.
A Conversation about New Voting Rights Under Proposal 2 of 2022 League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2024-02-02 | In 2022 voters in Michigan made voting a fundamental right in Michigan guaranteeing that elections would be open and easily accessible to all citizens. They also supported strong safety measures so there would be no doubt that our elections are secure and fair. This conversation some of the changes that will affect new voters including early voting and a streamlined access to absentee voting. Detailed information about these changes can be found at michiganvoting.org/.
Lansing Schools: Goals. Challenges. Solutions. League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2023-10-31 | Lansing Superintendent Ben Shuldiner talks about the efforts being made to reach a number of goals. He covers strategies as well as how progress is being measured in a candid conversation to the Lansing Area League of Women Voters and neighborhood families.
Current Research form Michigan State Universitys Education Policy Innovation Collaborative League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2023-09-26 | Tara Kilbride, Tanya Wright and Jeremy Singer from Michigan State University’s Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) present current research with a particular focus on early literacy and turning around persistently low-performing schools. They have been learning and continue to study what is working to help students improve, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Note: The audio needed to be filtered electronically to reduce the background noise. The quality is poor. dropbox.com/scl/fi/3jnbssouypkn71scixnk6/Partnership-Model-for-School-and-District-Turnaround.pdf?rlkey=v7mfktnnj05mywq0pkfon9qgx&dl=0dropbox.com/scl/fi/4a4oq10bw3p1wyox7uqe5/Early-Literacy-Instruction.pdf?rlkey=em1zl8ukabvqg51swy74qaet3&dl=0dropbox.com/scl/fi/h4v4bz12glrc68ji5b8nv/LWVL_COVIDachievement_staffing-97.pdf?rlkey=doq94af18ko1uzpvzrdrpjxtv&dl=0
Michigan Environmental Legislative Update with Senator Sam Singh League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2023-09-23 | Hear Senator Sam Singh, Majority Floor Leader, summarize the latest information about legislation being considered that addresses climate change and safe water. This webinar was sponsored by the Michigan League of Women Voters’ Environmental Network.
Inequality and Democracy League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2023-03-27 | Democracy is endangered and one reason is increased inequality. Dr Christian Houle, Associate Professor of Comparative Politics at Michigan State University explains the connection with theory, facts and some predictions.
National Popular Vote: An Overview League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2023-03-23 | League member Judy Andre presents information on the National Popular Vote, a strategy that would ensure the presidential candidate who receives the most votes nationally is elected to office. The League supports this strategy.
An Introduction to the Michigan Association of Counties League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2022-03-24 | This is a recording of a presentation to Lansing Area LWV Observer Corps members by Deena Bosworth the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Michigan Association of Counties in February 2022.
AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION OF THE UKRAINE AND RUSSIA with Jennifer Castner of The Altai Project. League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2022-03-23 | Jennifer Castner, Director of The Altai Project, a nonprofit organization that works with frontline leaders to protect natural landscapes, wildlife, indigenous peoples and traditional lifeways in and around Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan talks personally about the Ukraine invasion. To view an excellent background summary go to cbsnews.com/news/russian-history-of-subjugating-ukraine/?fbclid=IwAR09GZ1krcy-D3DH7lf53rVd4jH3wiUV47mcXiZjS7IcGvRsGfcTSedEVvM
A Discussion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Michigan Schools: What is being taught? League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2022-01-18 | This presentation illuminates the sound bites currently abundant in the news about diversity and Critical Race Theory. Speaker Professor Dorinda Carter Andrews, chairs MSU’s Department of Teacher Education and is also a professor of race, culture, and equity.
Plugging Into the Future: Making Wise Energy Choices League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2021-10-26 | John Sarver, board member of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association and former program director for the Michigan Energy Office shares information about replacing fossil fuel powered devices with electric renewable energy products. Includes demonstrations of items owned by League members.
How Using Native Plants Can Restore Nature in our Communities League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2021-05-19 | Explore the magical world of native plants, the effect they have on our ecosystems, and how we can bring them into our backyards. We will discuss some of the biggest threats to native species, and how our community can take part in conserving local natural areas by growing native!
Gun Violence: How Research Directs Policy League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2021-04-29 | How does a gun violence prevention researcher gather data; what are data sources; and do research reports influence legislation and reduce gun deaths and injuries by suicide, homicide, mass shootings, and accidental shootings.
The Circular Economy in Michigan: Changes are Coming League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2021-04-21 | Learn about ongoing discussions at the state legislature that can change how you manage your waste materials. From updated recycling and solid waste laws to management of the state’s bottle bill, you'll hear the latest on all things solid waste and recycling happening at the Capitol. Featuring Sean Hammond, Policy Director at the Michigan Environmental Council.
Online Schools in the Virtual World League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2021-02-25 | This year the Covid pandemic unexpectedly drove K-12 schools to teaching online. Parents, teachers, and kids are in an uproar sitting at their computers for hours at a time. However, online school was available in a variety of formats before the pandemic. How does online schooling work?
Much To Do About Trash League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2020-09-29 | The League’s Environmental Advocacy Group invited Emily Freeman, the Recycling Specialist for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE) for the mid-Michigan area and Heidi Sanborn, and internationally recognized thought leader and advocate for producer responsibility policies to speak about waste management at a micro and macro level. The forum covers recycling, policy and the circular economy.
Just Mercy Panel Discussion League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2020-08-04 | A discussion of the issues presented in the movie Just Mercy featuring panelists:Michael S. Cheltenham, Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office Kathy Swedlow, Deputy Administrator, Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System Jose Burgos, State Appellate Defender Office Reentry Specialist
No Fault Insurance: Understanding the Options League of Women Voters Lansing Area 2020-06-30 | Under Michigan's new No Fault law you are required to choose an option for coverage. Steve Sinas a partner of the Sinas Dramis Law Firm explains what you need to consider before making your choice.
