School Ratings Gets A Hearing In St. Paul

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota lawmakers will consider a proposal to grade Minnesota schools on their performance during an Education Finance Committee meeting.

The main education bill now before the Legislature would create an A to F grading scale for schools and school districts, similar to reports cards given to schools in Florida.

The Minnesota proposal would take into account students' academic growth and their scores on state math and reading tests.

Schools that earn an "A" two years in a row or make significant year-to-year improvement can earn a bonus of $100 per student.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush presented a similar proposal to lawmakers on Tuesday.

The bill directs the state education commissioner to issue the first report cards in the 2012-2013 school year.

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