Ellington

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — State Board of Education members are backing a plan that would assign A grades to fewer Mississippi schools and districts than an administrator task force recommended, but more than Department of Education officials had originally wanted.

The board voted unanimously Thursday for a proposal assigning the top grade to schools and districts in the top 10 percent of all scorers. The board is likely to finalize the plan in September after seeking public comment.

After trying to assign Fs to more schools, department officials are agreeing to grade the bottom 13 percent of schools as failing.

It's a high-stakes decision for schools and districts, because after two years of failing marks, the state could take them over. The ratings also decide where charter schools may locate without local permission.