LANSING, Mich., April 21 (UPI) -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed into law what's called one of the nation's strictest public school curriculums, saying it will help revive Michigan's economy.
By 2011, all high school graduates must have at least three and a half years of math, four years of English and three years of science classes. Two years of language classes will be required at any time from first through 12th grades.
State schools Superintendent Mike Flanagan said Michigan universities are not graduating enough math and science teachers, a problem that's magnified by the new high school requirements, the Detroit Free Press reported.
"Last year we produced only three physics teachers," Flanagan said.
Flanagan said he's exploring a new approach to certifying state teacher schools to encourage them to train more math and science teachers.
As she signed the curriculum bills Thursday, Granholm said a demanding education system is tied to the state's shift away from low-skill manufacturing to high-skill jobs.
