Number Of Virginia Schools Meeting State Standards Down From Last Year

Virginia education officials say new, more rigorous assessment tests are making it harder for schools to meet state standards.

According to officials, 77 percent of Virginia's public schools are fully accredited after meeting state benchmarks. The Virginia Department of Education says that's down from 93 percent last year.

Officials say 1,413 of the state's 1,828 schools met objectives on 2012-13 Standards of Learning tests and other assessments in English, mathematics, science, and history — and for high school, graduation.

The number of schools accredited with warning nearly quadrupled to 395, and six schools have been denied state accreditation because of chronically low achievement.

Over the last two years, the state has implemented new math, English and science tests aimed at better preparing students for college or post-graduation employment.