July 22, 2008

ATLANTA (AP) -- Georgia is expected to release data this week on how the state's public schools fared with federal No Child Left Behind measurements.

The state's "adequate yearly progress" report determines what schools will be penalized for performing poorly under federal benchmarks. The schools that don't meet standards have to offer after-school tutoring and give parents the option of moving to another school.

The state uses a long list of measurements to determine AYP, including high-stakes standardized tests, attendance and graduation rates.

Last year, 81 percent of Georgia's public school made AYP. That landed 326 schools on the "needs improvement" list, which means they failed to make adequate progress two years in a row.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)