Watch CBS News

New Way Of Grading Minnesota Schools

ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- Minnesota now has a new way of grading its schools. It is one of two dozen states that have received a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Minnesota's new system -- called Multiple Measurement Ratings -- puts schools into three initial categories: priority, focus and reward.

The first 42 priority schools will qualify for state assistance to develop a turnaround plan.

But Joe Nathan of the Center for School Change says the key may be the best-performing schools -- those in the reward category -- because they have qualities other schools can learn from.

"The next step is really critical. That's to take lessons learned from the most effective schools and apply them in schools all over the state of Minnesota," said Nathan.

Podcast

Critics are wary of the changes, saying they take away the needed pressure and incentives for schools to get better.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.