Public schools in the state may find it harder to meet accountability standards under requirements implemented this week by the Texas Education Agency.

For an acceptable rating in 2004, half of the students in a school or district had to pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills in four areas: reading/English language arts, writing, social studies and science.

Thirty-five percent had to pass math, and 25 percent had to pass science.

Starting next school year, minimum TAKS passing rates will increase by ten percentage points in reading/English language arts, writing, social studies and science.

The minimum passing rate for math will increase by five percentage points.

Last year, 92 of the state's more-than-6,700 rated schools graded as unacceptable.

If the new standards had been in place, about 1,200 would have flunked.

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