By AP
YPSILANTI, MI –
The head of Michigan's new system for failing schools is considering the inclusion of public schools outside Detroit in its first year of operation.
Education Achievement System Chancellor John Covington said Thursday in Ypsilanti that the system's initial phase should be open to the lowest-performing 5 percent of rural and urban schools across the state.
Plans had been to serve about 38 schools in Detroit in 2012-13 and expand statewide the following year.
Under the new system, school control is placed in the hands of principals, teachers and school staff.
Ex-Kansas City, Mo., schools chief Covington also announced the hiring of much of his staff at the meeting of the Education Achievement Authority at Eastern Michigan University. He says the new district eventually will serve more than 100,000 students.