Mo. approved for alternative schools scoring

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- More Missouri schools could appear to be doing better under federal standards because of a change in the way the state judges its performance goals.

At issue is the percentage of schools considered to be making adequate yearly progress toward student achievement goals under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says it has received federal approval to use an alternative scoring method that tracks the progress of individual students -- not just broad categories of students.

If students score below Missouri's proficiency standards but are showing a certain amount of improvement, they can still be considered on track toward proficiency under the federal law.

That law requires all children to be proficient in reading and math by 2014.