Federal government asks Missouri to review failing schools (this is REALLY bad)

[proud2BlibKansan]

Federal government asks Missouri to review failing schools
The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS | A federal team detailed dozens of problems with Missouri schools in a report last month, both minor infractions and major concerns about underperforming schools.

The U.S. Department of Education said Missouri should review every school and district that has not met standardized testing benchmarks more than two years in a row. That is about 200 schools and 167 districts, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The federal No Child Left Behind law sets 2014 as the year when all schoolchildren are supposed to be proficient in reading and math. Built into the law are annual benchmarks for schools to meet and sanctions when they don’t.

Every three years, the U.S. Department of Education checks to make sure each state is monitoring its schools correctly. It keeps schools on track with the law and lets the government keep tabs on $14 billion it gives schools to help low-income students.

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Schools that fall short most often could be forced to fire teachers and principals, reopen as charter schools, or even close. The federal team reserves the right to fine the state, as much as $500,000 this year.

“This is really a worst-case state,” said Phyllis McClure, a consultant in Washington who helps monitor states on points of education law.

more . . . http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/259946.html