U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan visits Detroit and Ann Arbor

DETROIT (WXYZ) - U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan is making a pit stop in southeast Michigan.

The education chief visited Detroit and Ann Arbor as part of the U.S. Education Department's "Education and the Economy," second annual back-to-school bus tour.

Earliere this morning, Duncan joined Gov. Rick Snyder, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, and Emergency Manager Roy Roberts for a "New Day" forum at Charles H. Wright Academy of Arts and Science.

The Education Secretary talked about the steps being taken by DPS and other school districts to turn around low-performing schools in Michigan.

"We have to challenge ourselves to do much better, and I think that's the reality," said Sec. Duncan.

"I couldn't be more hopeful and more optimistic about where Detroit could go," he added.

Duncan also talked with a faculty panel at the University of Michigan's School of Education.  They discussed promoting excellence in the classroom and improving access to college.  They focused on how to help disadvantaged and underserved students.