The Department of Education presented statutorily required accountability determinations and supporting policy for how the State Board will conduct accountability hearings.

Assistant commissioner (presentation lines) said reward schools are identified using the federal accountability calculation (schools scoring ≥3.1 out of 4) and the department presented 459 reward schools for 2024–25. Priority schools are identified using a multi‑year approach: the bottom 5% of schools statewide based on three years of achievement data or a graduation rate below 67% for the 2023–24 cohort; the department presented 108 priority schools for 2024–25.

The board also approved the accountability hearings policy (1.6) that specifies committee appointment and hearing procedures. Board members asked about communications to local school boards, whether the local board chair or full board is notified, and how findings and recommendations will be shared with local governance. The rule requires attendance by the superintendent and the local school board chair; staff said communications can include additional local board members and the department will consider including broader notice in future iterations.

Board members and department staff discussed the difference between state and federal systems (letter grades vs. federal accountability) and the potential need to align designations to ensure resources flow to schools most in need. Director-level staff said growth measures and multi‑year metrics can produce different lists, and the department will provide comparative data for board review and to inform hearings question development.

The board approved the lists and the hearings policy; staff said the hearings and the review committee work will be a heavy lift beginning in the spring.

This article uses direct explanations provided by department staff and questions from board members recorded on the meeting transcript.