provided by the michigan state university extension, craig has the story. >> little black came along.> reporter: the black stallion project has a goal of motivating students to develop their reading skills and to promote an interest in reading. >> it's the most important thing that we do in first grade. it's -- it's the best thing that we do. and they all need to have that foundation of reading before they get out of first grade. >> reporter: the scholars in the making are learning more than just how to read. >> not only have an opportunity to read to one of the beautiful horse that's we have here but they are learning about tack and equipment and they are getting an equipment to take care of a foal. >> these first graders are participating in a new hands on experience. >> i've noticed that horses are a lot -- they're soft and they're fun to be around. >> you read the word horse, do you think the horse understands that you're talking about a horse? >> why? >> because i'm saying the word horse and it is a horse. >> so it should recognize it? >> yeah. >> combining kids and horses to inc

geneva smithem from michigan state university uses the term the language of wider education and whate call standard english rather than being standard is like the language of commerce, is the language in the business sort of commercial community, but it's not necessarily the language of in the macy. so, a lot of times, even at the university, to try to help students to understand this, the appropriateness of language to place, you could take a working class white kid who comes out of boston, who will come to northwestern university. and once he gets there, he knows the language of wider communication for him there is going to be some version of this standard thing. but, when he goes back home, and is hanging out with his cousins who were the not going to the northwesterns of the world, and he is hanging out in the pub drinking beer with them he will not speak the same way. he will speak the language that he grew up with, which is a particular dialect or version of english. that has functionality in terms of place. someone has said, actually the difference between the language -- a la

state university. and joseph thomas,hief of police f southfield, michigan, with 35 years of police experience. he is also an adjunct profeor of political sence at eastern michigan university. chief thomas, you hrd no less han the president of united states say thereis a long story in this country of african-americanand lanos being stopped by l enforment diroportionately and that's just a fact. do youagree with him that it is indiutable? >> i think that there ar some studie out ere that say that stuff does happen in so areas, in some communities but t's to theet too far away from this incident. because this what we talked about this is why were here. if not we're talking about a rger study. is incident as a law enforcement executivehen i saw ts, i first tng tat went through my mind is a lack of traing. that incident thatccurred to thatrofessor could and shou have been handled fferently. now that does not mean that this oicer did sething that was against the law. i'mo the going to go that far because don't know the totality of the rcumstances. but do know from my persal standpoint, my law enforce

state university. we have always been the other state university, but people are just starting to notice us i do the michiganng a much more research intensive campus. solving problems, helping social needs. a good place to be. >> i heard the president of another school give the same speech. >> she is doing it over there. >> our time is running short. but i thought it would be interesting with all of the high school graduations. it is just something to think about when you hear about a women's lacrosse championship at towson or this at towson and that. that other state school. well-done. >> thanks for coming out. >> thanks for being with us. >> we are taking a break and coming back. sharon gibala may be talking about york road -- this is unbelievable. it is like being next to the jfx. first warning weather and more as the eyewitness news morning >>> here comes updates from sharon and marty. >> going for a high of 79 degrees. mixture of clouds and sun. now over to sharon at wjz traffic control. >> hi, marty. we still have a big mess on 89 a. look at this shot 895 southbound being detoured on to keith avenue an

recovery plan has helped close state budget shortfalls which put enormous pressure on public universities and community colleges. >> we are watching president obama in warren, michigan. he's at mccomb community college talking about the economy. i'm here with my co-worker, colleague, and friend david shuster. david, we're listening to the president say, you know, many critics call this the obama economy or the obama problem, but he again reminded the audience in michigan hit very hard by this recession and unemployment numbers that this is something he inherited. >> that's right and the constant refrain of the white house trying to say they inherited such a big mess. the president trying to go on the offense as we heard saying these bankruptcies with general motors, they happened a lot faster. they are out of bankruptcy. there's progress that's been made. the president trying to hit back a little bit against those who are the naysayers of some of his policies. as we watch president obama, we'll keep track of that for any news. we are also keeping track of the sotomayor confirmation hearings. chuck schumer, we will pick up with his questioning on the other side of th

states and internationally. as the director of the university of michigan survey research center, a very well-known, prestigious research center, as the former director of the joint program in service methodology and the former associate director of statistical design, standards, and methodology at the census bureau, he is considered to be one of the half dozen most highly reguarded service research experts in the world, madam president. he's extraordinarily well qualified. he is not a political person. he is a scientist, a researcher, a statistician. madam president that's why it's not surprising that dr. groves' nomination has received strong support from a number of organizations, including the american statistical association. i will concede, madam president, i did not know that such an organization existed requir prio this nominee. but they have endorsed him as well as some groups well known to us, such as the national league of cities, and the population reference bureau. but, madam president, here's what's more telling: six former census directors, from both democratic and republican administrations have

as a manager, he's elevated the university of michigan's institute for social institute to a premier research organization. i'm an ohio state undergraduate. here i am waving a flag and promoting a fellow from michigan. for me to do that, you know he has to be good. and this guy is terrific. i said to some of my colleagues. i've said on this floor before we're so lucky to have somebody this good to be willing to take this on at this late stage of the day and lead us to doing a good job, a great job on the census. numerous fellow and state agencies and policy-makers sought his expertise in survey design in response. dr. groves has been accessible to senators and their staff throughout this process. requests to meet with dr. groves was extended to every single member of the homeland security and governmental affairs committee here in the senate. he's also met with every senator, as far as i know, who requested a meeting regardless of committee assignment. dr. groves received two questions for the record after his hearing. they were answered within hours. not days, not weeks. within hours of the hearing's end. every senator has