​Schuette issued an official legal opinion meant to clarify state law regarding the closure of underachieving schools in Detroit by the State School Reform Officer.

“The law is clear: Michigan parents and their children do not have to be stuck indefinitely in a failing school,” says Schuette.

“Detroit students and parents deserve accountability and high-performing schools. If a child can’t spell opportunity, they won’t have opportunity.”

The opinion means that any school operated by the Detroit Public School Community District that was on the list of lowest-achieving schools for the 2015-2016, 2014-2015, and 2013-2014 school years is subject to closure.

The Detroit Free Press reports that 47 schools in the Detroit Public Schools Community District are on the most recent list of the worst-performing schools that has been released by the state School Reform Office. Nineteen have been on the list for at least two years. The next list is expected to come out in early November.

Schuette also says in the opinion that the Reform Officer is required to close failing schools unless closure would result in an unreasonable hardship because there are not enough other public school options available.