LANSING, Mich. - Thirteen school districts have been selected as Project ReImagine winners by the Michigan Department of Education, meaning they likely would receive a share of any Race to the Top education money coming to Michigan, according to the Associated Press.
The "demonstration districts" are: Utica, Farwell, Armada, Oxford, Grand Rapids, Battle Creek Lakeview, Comstock, NICE Community, University Preparatory Academy, Detroit, Traverse Bay Area Intermediate, Mason-Lake Intermediate and Saginaw Intermediate.
The districts were chosen from about 70 that submitted applications detailing plans for education reform. Among their ideas are teaching Mandarin Chinese, AP reported. Detroit said it would work with its teachers union to develop a school-based bonus system, while Grand Rapids plans to implement career-focused high schools.
All of the districts will receive limited help from the state to implement their plans, and may receive federal funding if Michigan receives a share of the competitive grant money that will be allocated in 2010 under Race to the Top. The districts' reform ideas will be blended into Michigan's application for that funding, according to AP.
SOURCE:
Associated Press, "Michigan chooses 13 school innovation
districts," Nov. 12, 2009
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "State to schools: Think outside
the classroom," Oct. 2, 2009
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