Truancy also was omitted from the study because figures for many schools have been challenged in court and in public forums. Once the database produced school performance ratings, reporters went to each of the top schools to learn their formulas for excellence. The study used a point system rather than simple rankings to compare schools. In some cases, point differences among schools are very different than rankings would indicate. Points were then totaled to yield a final score for each school.
Higher totals are better.
For comparison purposes, the countywide average figure for every category appears at the bottom of the report card. The ratings show schoolwide performance. They reflect the general education experience of the student body but do not account for students who have special needs or abilities. Similarly, they cannot reflect experiences of individual students. Each school has unique qualities and problems.