REPORT CARDS \ What the labels mean

When report cards are issued Tuesday, ratings will be updated as follows.
Excellent: A district or school has met 94 percent to 100 percent of report-card indicators (for districts, this means they met 21 or 22 total indicators) OR earned a 100 to 120 performance index score. A district/school cannot maintain this rating if it misses the Adequate Yearly Progress goal for more than two consecutive years.
Effective: A district or school has met 75 percent to 93 percent of report-card indicators (for districts, 17 to 20 total indicators) OR earned a 90 to 99 performance index score. Those with higher marks who miss AYP for more than two consecutive years also fall under this rating.
Continuous improvement: A district or school has met 50 percent to 74 percent of report-card indicators (for districts, 11 to 16 total indicators) OR earned an 80 to 89 performance index score. Those that meet the AYP can earn this rating regardless of indicators or performance index. Also, those with academic watch ratings will be bumped up to this category if they have shown adequate improvement.
Academic watch: A district or school has met 31 percent to 49 percent of report-card indicators (for districts, seven to 10 total indicators) OR earned a 70 to 79 performance index score. Also, districts/schools in academic emergency will be bumped up to this category if they have shown adequate improvement. Districts/schools in this category have missed AYP.
Academic emergency: A district or school has met fewer that 31 percent of report-card indicators (for districts, six or fewer total indicators) OR earned a performance index of 69 or lower. These districts/schools have missed AYP.