Gov. Granholm wants longer school year in Michigan

9/7/2010

LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Jennifer Granholm says she wants Michigan schoolchildren to spend more time in the classroom than they do now.

The Democratic governor told reporters Tuesday she'd like to see schools meet for more than 180 days per year. The state now requires districts to be in session for at least 165 days and will increase that to 170 days in 2012-13.

Michigan last had a 180-day requirement in the 2002-03 school year, then switched to requiring 1,098 hours. In response, schools lengthened the school day and reduced the school year to cut costs.

Granholm says she'd like lawmakers to extend the school year before session ends. She made her comments after greeting students at Lansing's Mount Hope Elementary School on the first day of school.