Governor Signs Education Reform Bills LANSING, MI (Associated Press) -

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed new laws affecting how failing schools are run and how teachers are evaluated.

The bills signed Monday include provisions for the state to take over the lowest-achieving 5 percent of Michigan schools. The state's dropout age will raise from 16 to 18 starting with the class of 2016, more charter schools will be allowed to open and new teacher certification rules will be adopted.

The legislation is part of Michigan's effort to win money from the Obama administration's Race to the Top competition tied to education reform. Michigan could get up to $400 million if it's among the winners.

There's no guarantee the state will win money. But supporters said Monday the changes were needed anyway. © Copyright 2012, Associated Press