Quarter of RI public schools miss federal targets

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—More than a quarter of public schools in Rhode Island have missed benchmarks set by the federal No Child Left Behind law.

The rankings released Tuesday by the state Department of Education reflect student test scores from the 2007 to 2008 school year and attendance and graduation rates from the previous academic year.

According to state statistics, 73 percent of schools met their targets, compared to 80 percent last year. The targets are raised from year to year.

The results showed a sharp achievement gap between urban and suburban schools. Only 41 percent of schools in the state's urban core reached their benchmarks, compared to 85 percent elsewhere.

In a written statement, Gov. Don Carcieri said he was pleased that the majority of schools met the federal requirements.