MichiganRadio

Making a List of Michigan's Lowest Performing Schools JACKSON, MI (Michigan Radio) -

State education officials will spend the next 8 months compiling a list of Michigan's lowest performing schools.

The list is part of the package of school reforms passed by the legislature in hopes of winning the state 400 million dollars in federal education aid. The list will include roughly 170 schools. While most will likely be in cities such as Detroit and Grand Rapids, suburban and rural schools also could be included.

Once schools are on the list, their school boards will have 90 days to submit a turnaround plan to the state.

A state appointed school reform officer will get involved with the schools whose turnaround plans are rejected.

Teachers' unions are concerned that collective bargaining rights will be undermined in the schools taken over by the state.

State applications for the federal cash are due in mid-January. Michigan's developing application contains several elements of the measures that soon will be signed into law by Gov. Granholm. © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio