Kristin Bien

Mishawaka

WSBT Midday Anchor. Operation Education Reporter. Lucy and Jack's mom. Animal Lover. Oversharing and awkward conversations are my superpowers.

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Articles

Graduation rates at high schools in Berrien and Cass counties

1 week ago | wsbt.com | Kristin Bien

A screenshot of the Michigan State Board of Education Meeting livestream shows the March 11th, 2025 meeting at which the board reviewed the state’s most recent high school graduation data.
Operation Education: 10% jump in Benton Harbor high school graduation rate

1 week ago | wsbt.com | Kristin Bien

Statewide efforts to raise the graduation rate in Michigan appear to be paying off. The 2024 graduation rate is the highest since 2008. Some of the programs are making a difference locally too. Benton Harbor Area Schools saw graduation rates jump up 10 percent from 2023 to 2024. Benton Harbor Leadership“So we're starting to see a lot of academic progress,” says Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Butts. Butts is nearing the end of his time leading the district.
Operation Education: Largest St. Joseph County school districts react to SB1 impacts

2 weeks ago | wsbt.com | Kristin Bien

St. Joseph County's two largest school corporations say they are prepared for the impacts of Senate Bill 1. The controversial new law cuts property tax bills but cities, counties and schools will be getting much less revenue. Senate Bill 1School districts throughout the state of Indiana are running the numbers and reviewing property tax data to help determine the impact of Senate Bill 1.
Operation Education: Schools prepare for impacts of newly passed SB1

2 weeks ago | wsbt.com | Kristin Bien

Thanks to a property tax bill passed by Indiana's legislature you may save a couple hundred dollars a year but you're school district is likely preparing for major losses. Indiana Republicans say they are saving homeowners money on their property taxes but school districts say the recently signed SB1 will siphon money away from students, teachers and schools. Schools PrepareNo matter what the school district is, administrators are now trying to understand the impact of Senate Bill 1.
Operation Education: See the high school graduation rate for your school district

3 weeks ago | wsbt.com | Kristin Bien

Statewide, 2024 graduation rates in Indiana were the highest since Indiana began publishing data. Now, high schools are looking ahead to the Class of 2025. High school seniors are in the home stretch. Mishawaka High School Principal Chad Brugh and the rest of the administration team is working to get students across the finish line to graduation. "So that team approach, I think, has really helped us focus on our whole senior class and our kids," said Brugh.
Operation Education: Mishawaka improves graduation rate

3 weeks ago | wsbt.com | Kristin Bien

TOPICS:MishawakaGraduation rateHigh schoolStudentsSupportCreditsTiana CarrIU South BendIndiana high school seniors now have less than two months until graduation day but still around 5 months to complete their credits to be included in the graduating class of 2025. High schools across the state are working to help students make it to the finish line. For the second year in a row, Mishawaka's High School graduation rate increased significantly in 2024.
Operation Education: Concern or excitement future of U.S. education depends on who you ask

4 weeks ago | wsbt.com | Kristin Bien

Operation Education spoke with state lawmakers in Indiana and Michigan about what changes to the U.S. Department of Education could mean for local schools and students. A March executive order by President Trump aimed to close the agency and give authority to the states. Two LawmakersTwo different states, two different parties, and two different ideas about what is next for local students and schools.
Operation Education: Future of U.S. Department of Education is uncertain

1 month ago | wsbt.com | Kristin Bien

President Trump is taking historic steps to try to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. It is still not clear what this means for the future of education in the country as the agency offers a variety of services that impact millions of Americans. Schools and students in our area rely on the U.S. Department of Education for funding and research.
Operation Education: More preschool options as schools aim to boost literacy

1 month ago | wsbt.com | Kristin Bien

There are more affordable options for high-quality preschool in our area. This fall, Concord Community Schools will offer full day preschool classes in each of its four elementary buildings, and the South Bend Community School Corporation is expanding its preschool options to offer 19 classes inside 14 buildings. Early childhood education experts say preschool does make a difference in Kindergarten readiness and future literacy.
Operation Education: Concord Schools to begin offering Preschool

1 month ago | wsbt.com | Kristin Bien

Open enrollment begins Tuesday, April 1st for Concord Community School's brand new preschool program. Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, Concord will offer full-day preschool classes in each of its four elementary schools. District leaders say there is a huge need in Elkhart County for this type of early education and it could help boost academic achievement.