Up to 10 percent is normal for turnover, the placement service said. Frank Hill, who for about 10 years was superintendent of a string of small schools in the Lake and Peninsula Borough, northeast of Bristol Bay, said prospective teachers often ask about schools' test scores, which are public information already, and may see low scores as a challenge. Critics of ratings also wonder what sort of help struggling schools will get, while supporters say there should be consequences for repeated years of poor scores. Seventeen states rate all schools and another 10 identify only low-performing schools, according to the publication Education Week. It really pumped up the morale of that region.
Some states also sanction low-performing schools.
Alaska schools that are designated deficient or in crisis have to come up with an improvement plan. The state Department of Education will monitor those plans and can offer help in improving student performance. The agency also can recognize distinguished schools. The details of how to help struggling schools haven't been worked out, state education officials said. It might include such help as sending consultants to train teachers to match their lessons to state academic standards, or show teachers how to implement a new reading program.