The scores are broken down by economic background, race, ethnicity, English proficiency and disability of students. The test will be designed to check each states progress, from their preexisting standards. Some of the facts that will be on this report card are: academic achievement of subgroups, comparison of students on different academic levels, high school graduation rates, qualification of teachers and names of schools needing improvement (No 2002). .
One of the main uses of this report card is to show the public how each school is doing and push the school to do better. Each school's report card gives the school a grade from A-F (Assitance 2003). Schools can also be categorized as "needs improvement" or "distinguished." A school is labeled distinguished if they have exceeded in the progress they were to make in that year. This progress, called adequate yearly progress (AYP), may be in any of the facts listed above that make up the school report card. By being listed as distinguished the school might be rewarded financially for its good work. On the other hand, if a school is labeled "needs improvement" it has failed to meet the progress required (No 2002). .
Whenever a school is listed as "needs improvement," the school is put on a outlined plan that helps them achieve their goal. Each year that the school does not meet the requirements it is put on a more vigorous plan to try to help the school. For instance, as soon as a school is labeled "needs improvement" the officials of that school start getting help and technical assistance. If a school goes four consecutive years without meeting, its AYP the state may come in and change certain staff and curriculum. If a school goes five consecutive years without AYP, it then has to construct a completely new school plan including staff and curriculum. It is clear that this plan will encourage schools to meet their requirements (No 2002).