It's good news, bad news for Michigan schools.

An annual report by "Education Week" gives our state a "C+" in overall performance-- that's ahead of a national "C" average.

But when broken down, Michigan gets a "D+" in the "teaching profession" category, and a dismal "D" grade for K-12 achievement.

"We have a huge achievement gap between students in our state," says educational expert Sharif Shakrani.

He points out Michigan did score "A's" and "B's" in areas that dealt with assessment, like the MEAP. But he says the "D" grades are deserved.

"There was nothing in [this report] that was a surprise to me," Shakrani says.

"I think it's harsh," says Okemos Schools Superintendent Cheryl Kreger.
She took the most issue with the "D+" given to teachers.

"I think that grade is not accurate. I think it is insulting, especially with all the things we've been doing."

Department of Education spokesman Martin Ackley wouldn't directly say if he agreed with the grades, but he says schools clearly need improving.

"Are we where we want to be? No. We want to be at the top," Ackley says.

But as state number crunchers prepare to figure out the 2009 state budget at a conference Friday, schools worry they won't get the funding they need to improve upon these grades.

"It's even greater reason to support schools and reset priorities," Kreger says, as well as climb our way to the head of the national class.