Governor Rick Snyder is applauding the Michigan House for approving legislation that would expand a state-run authority for struggling schools.
As The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Jake Neher reports, the bill has been one of the governor’s top priorities for months.
The state’s Education Achievement Authority is designed to turn around the state’s lowest-achieving schools.
Legislation to expand the E-A-A statewide were introduced late last year, but never moved out of committee. Democrats and Republicans both expressed doubt about letting the state take over schools in their districts.
Governor Snyder says the state can already take control of public schools.
“I think this is a good bill because it really provides better legislative oversight and get them participating in the process," he says. "So I view it as a continuous improvement step.”
Democrats say parents and communities would have no control over local schools that are taken over under the measure.
The bill now goes to the state Senate.