The Detroit School Board is focusing on a new plan that helps to improve the quality of Detroit Public schools, serving students of every age who wish to achieve academic excellence.

This new plan which is named Excellent Schools Detroit calls for more than 70 new programs by 2020, costing close to $200 million. According to leaders of the group, “Detroit students are so far behind academically, the city must improve the school offerings for children faster than any other city has done.”

The proposal envisions shutting down schools which show failing rates and opening private, charter schools which provide a better learning environment for the students. “This is not about contracts, this is about children,” said Charles Pugh, president of the Detroit City council. “Finally!” Approximately 44 schools in the area will be closed by the summer of 2010, according to wxyz.com. “The move is due to the shrinking student population,” said Robert Bobb, Emergency Financial Director of the Detroit Public School System. Bobb expects to see an enrollment drop of more than 30,000 students over the next 4-5 years.

The first 7 schools are expected to be opened between fall 2010 and fall 2012. The schools will have to meet several expectations such as small size, project-based learning, parental involvement, rigorous academics, several extra-curricular activities and an expectation that all students will go to college and be career-ready.