In preliminary numbers compiled by the State Board of Education staff, 17 percent of Indiana's K through 12 schools will be considered failing under the state's A through F accountability system.
In 2014, 4 percent of schools were considered failing.
Last year the number of schools receiving a D or F on the state’s accountability system was around 10 percent.
Preliminary data this year says that number jumps to 36 percent.
A-F grades are calculated mainly using ISTEP scores and this year, Hoosier students took a brand-new assessment, something many education experts say causes a drop in scores.
When a school receives a failing grade it must prove to the state and federal government that the staff and principal can improve the school and meet a variety of check-in requirements.
State superintendent Glenda Ritz has been warning all year that the number of failing schools would increase significantly with the new assessment she’s advocated for different options to lessen the impact.
The State Board of Education and legislative leaders, including Governor Pence have said they don’t want to do anything that would pause accountability.
The numbers are preliminary so the schools have a few weeks to appeal the data and letter grades could change.
(A longer version of this story can be seen on StateImpact Indiana's blog.)
