DETROIT – Detroit's bankruptcy may be drawing to a close, but the schools remain under emergency management.
Gov. Rick Snyder says the time has come to work creatively and collectively to change that.
"My goal is not to have emergency managers. It's an emergency when you have to have an emergency manager," Snyder said. "I think we should have a better community dialogue with the mayor, the city council, the community, and say how can we do a better system of schools in Detroit, in terms of a more effective relationship."
Watch: Full interview with Gov. Rick Snyder
Detroiters long have blamed the state for wrecking the city's schools with emergency managers and racked-up deficits. The governor believes part of that discussion is less about funding and more about looking at what is taught, how it's taught and how high to set the bar.
"A lot of people are wanting to have this discussion on higher standards, better transparency, accountability for charter schools. My view is I want to have that dialogue. Let's look at statewide but let's also look at Detroit in particular and have higher standards for all schools," he said.
One of the neglected educational areas over the past generation is apprenticeships and skilled trades. On that front, Snyder wants to get back to basics.
"Vocational training. The other one is education, we talked about some of that, but let's work on 3rd grade reading more. Let's focus on that. Let's do more dual enrollment in terms of helping with college costs," he said.
That fight will include the question of charter schools and their place in the state's landscape. The governor knows the teachers union will be fighting him every step of the way.