Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Oregon Education Department released this year's report card on state schools Tuesday. As Kristian Foden-Vencil reports, authorities made several changes to the way schools are graded.

Every parent will be mailed a copy of their school's latest report card, which gives information on academic and social achievement.

34 percent of schools were rated outstanding, 61 percent satisfactory and five percent were rated "in need of improvement."

Jake Weigler, a spokesman for the Oregon Department of Education, says the legislature asked for a couple of changes this time.

For example, instead of using five levels of performance, they're only using the three on the federal No Chil Left Behind report cards.

Jake Weigler: "Before, we had some confusion. People would see one rating on one report card and one on another and try to figure out which one to trust. This way, with the new system, we make sure they're consistent and people are getting the same information."

The state is also introduced a new way of showing how well schools are bringing lower performing students up to grade-level.

The report is available to everyone at ode.state.or.us .