Low-Performing Schools are those that fail to meet their expected growth standard and have less than 50% of their students performing at or above grade level.
In addition to the growth and performance standards, there are testing requirements that all schools must meet. Schools must test at least 98% of their eligible students. (Students who are individually exempted from testing in accordance with guidelines for North Carolina testing programs are not considered "eligible.") In addition, schools must not have excessive exemptions.
Schools that violate either of the testing requirements are not eligible for incentive awards. In addition, schools that violate the testing requirements for two years may be designated as low-performing.