ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Public Education Department has received federal approval to amend its grading system for school performance.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Monday that the U.S. Department of Education last week approved changes to the state's education plan, allowing it to replace the A-F grading system.
State education officials say the new dashboard system will contain more qualitative information including academic stats in subject proficiency and growth, budgetary data and graduation rates and readiness.
The department's secretary of policy, strategy and accountability, Timothy Hand, says the dashboards will report all federally required information, but they will not give letter grades for schools.
Officials say the current grading system was criticized for demoralizing teachers and students at low-performing schools.
Hand says they plan to launch the new system by November.
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Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com