Agreement Near on Education Reforms LANSING, MI (Associated Press) -

Gov. Jennifer Granholm says an agreement is near on changes that could help Michigan win up to $400 million in federal funding for schools.

She told reporters Friday, "We are almost there."

A tentative deal reached early Friday would allow more charter schools, raise the dropout age from 16 to 18 starting with current sixth-graders and continue a post-Labor Day start for classes.

The House and Senate originally planned to be in session at 1:30 p.m. Friday. But the Senate recessed until 8 p.m. and the House was in session but had taken no action as of midafternoon.

The Obama administration is setting aside roughly $4 billion to give to states that aggressively work to improve student performance.
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