At the high school level, one criticism of the ABCs system is that the progress of individual students cannot be tracked. This comparison will be the basis for judging whether a school is improving from year to year, but it says nothing about individual students' progress. Another criticism of the evaluation program is that a school's rating is determined mainly by answers on objective, state-mandated tests. These things are not part of the ABCs formula. One of Oakley's chief concerns is that the high school ratings will be determined by mostly freshmen and sophomores.
Many teachers oppose the ABCs program.
It's a response to public demands for accountability. Social studies teacher Don Jones said the new regulations will not change the way he teaches his civics class. Accountability is a valid concern, but the ABCs program will not accomplish its goal, Don Jones said. It doesn't reward schools that are already doing well. State senator Leslie Winner of Charlotte said that although the high school version of the ABCs needs work, it has merits.