The coronavirus pandemic has led to learning deficits, contentious battles over masking and a shift to online learning in schools across the country.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer will deliver her budget proposal on Wednesday (Feb. 9). Local 4 learned it will include more than $2 billion for an educator incentive program.

The new guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says that you should isolate for five days if you test positive for COVID. Then, if you don’t have symptoms, you can return to school as long as you are wearing a well-fitted mask for six to 10 days.

Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart is pushing for a temporary suspension of in-person learning due to spring break travel and the surge in COVID cases.

DETROIT – Educators in Michigan are dealing with concerns about standardized testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. READ: More than 80% of Michigan schools offering in-person instructionThat decision has sent state educators back to the drawing board. They said there are pros and cons when it comes to standardized testing. There is a need to make sure that all students, no matter their situation and standardized testing can give a glimpse into if students are getting an equal education. Educators said losing standardized testing could harm poor, disadvantaged students and minority students.

LANSING, Mich. – The battle to provide education for all during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to become more and more complicated. READ: Return To SchoolState superintendent Dr. Michael Rice called on the state Legislature to extend the school year Tuesday for students to make up for the lost time. “This school year, in and of itself, can’t even last five minutes longer,” said Paula Herbart, the president of the Michigan Education Association. Students need a break.”It’s undeniable that the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years have exhausted teachers. Detroit Public Schools Community District superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti said he can’t realistically extend the school year, but he can expand learning opportunities in every neighborhood.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan requested on Monday that standardized testing be waived for the 2020-2021 school year, after a school year marked with instruction inconsistency and difficulty due to the coronavirus pandemic. Last March, as virus cases grew and schools moved online, then-U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos allowed Michigan to waive standardized testing for the 2019-2020 school year. Near the end of her tenure, as waivers were being requested again, she told chief state school officers in a letter that standardized testing is expected for the 2020-2021 school year. The Michigan Education Association, which represents about 120,000 teachers and other education professionals, supports waiving standardized testing. “Amidst this pandemic, we simply cannot waste valuable learning time on high-stakes standardized testing," Herbart said.

DETROIT – Michigan workers who returned to work after being on unemployment and are now temporarily unemployed again should reopen their claims online, officials said. The Unemployment Insurance Agency released this information as the state’s COVID-19 restrictions are set to be tightened Wednesday (Nov. 17) through Dec. 8. WATCH Local 4 News at 11Metro Detroit weather: Snow showers linger before warmer temperatures arriveSnow showers linger before warmer air rescues us for the second half of the week. Originally, two Republican members voted not to certify and two Democratic members voted to certify. Read MoreMonday, Nov. 16, 2020 --

DETROIT – A grim and dire picture is emerging from a survey taken by the representatives of the majority of Michigan’s teachers. The Michigan Education Association today unveiled the numbers and they paint an image of teachers, exhausted, frightened, overworked and on the brink. According to the survey of 4,700 teachers, support staff and additional public school employees who responded to the MEA survey, 84 percent say they are personally concerned about the safety of reopening for full in-person learning models. Our COVID-19 Data section tracks many of the key data points health officials are watching closely every single day. Track key COVID-19 data points in Michigan:

Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield released the following statement after reaching a bipartisan budget agreement, which includes adjustments to the fiscal year 2020 budget and allocation of Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars. Read the statement:“COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on our state budget. This agreement provides crucial funding for Michigan families, schools, and communities grappling with costs incurred as a result of the virus. Whitmer and legislative leaders for working together to minimize the negative impact on schools, students and public education employees in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This budget agreement prevents education funding cuts for the current fiscal year and, looking ahead, will help finalize plans to safely reopen schools in the fall.

DETROIT Detroit public schools are trying to lure some of the top teaching talent in the country, offering a salary of more than $50,000 for starting instructors. Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti said the Detroit Public Schools Community District is trying to make sure students have the best teachers and learning environments when they return to the classroom. New teachers who choose DPSCD will start at the top of the class, with the district offering salary incentives that put a starting instructor at $51,700. Of the 3,000 existing teachers, with retirements and attrition, 200 or more incoming teachers are eligible, school officials said. As the district faces budget cuts, Vitti said the district has been moving our budget to make this plan work.