school designated low-performing for two years or more may be shut down.

Perhaps the most important spur to improvement is the simple publication of results. Not only are accountability ratings made available to the media, but the results are publicly available on the state's Internet home page. In addition, all schools are required to send school report cards to parents. These report cards must include state-generated data related to the accountability system. The public awareness of the results and the accountability ratings that these reports generate play a significant role for school leaders.