By AP
LANSING, MI –
Sweeping changes in Michigan education policy will be signed into law by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Monday.
The legislation recently passed by the Legislature will allow the state to take over districts that are performing poorly in academics. Charter school operators with good track records will be able to open new locations and the state's dropout age will rise from 16 to 18.
The bills were passed as part of an effort to win up to $400 million for schools through the Obama administration's Race to the Top competition. But supporters of the changes say they are worth making even if the state doesn't get any extra money as a result.