State Now Has Power to Close Failing Mich. Schools

Lansing, Mich.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Monday signed into law a sweeping series of education bills that give the state new power to close failing schools, dump bad teachers and administrators and measure if students are moving ahead.

"Everything will be focused on, 'Is this child learning?'" Granholm told reporters before signing the bills during a ceremony at her Capitol office. "It's all about academic progress, and that's the way it should be."

The legislation also expects more from students, requiring them to stay in school until age 18, starting with the class of 2016. Students now can leave...