Five area schools received "outstanding" marks on report cards issued Tuesday by the Oregon Department of Education.

Adams, Cheldelin, Franklin, Hoover and Jefferson schools earned "outstanding" marks based on their math and reading scores.

"I'm very pleased," said Dawn Tarzian, superindendent of the Corvallis School District. "It reflects all the hard work that's being done in the schools. The cards are designed to help schools improve and show them where they've made substantial growth."

All other Benton County public schools received "satisfactory" marks. Three schools, Muddy Creek Charter School, Blogget Elementary School and Clemens Primary School were not rated because of small student populations.

Statewide, 399 schools received "outstanding" marks, 711 schools were rated as "satisfactory" and 61 were rated as "needing improvement."

A school's rating is determined by a formula based on the ratings for its weighted achievement index, attendance, participation and its Adequate Yearly Progress status over two school years. The weighted achievement index is an initial rating based solely on math and reading results. That rating can decrease based on attendance and participation.

This year, the Oregon Department of Education made two significant changes to the grading process for its report cards, which have been issued for 11 years.

It established a growth model for students that measures learning over time, so schools receive more credit for helping students, especially those from under-performing subgroups.

Tarzian said the Corvallis School District's Hispanic and African-American student populations have made some of the biggest gains.

Under the new growth model, students performing below grade level are assigned targets for improving, which are designed to help them reach grade level within three years. Schools are now evaluated based on whether students are meeting their targets.

The department also retooled and reduced the rating categories. Previously, five ratings were used: "Exceptional," "strong," "satisfactory," "low," or "unacceptable."

This change brings the state closer in line with federal No Child Left Behind ratings. In past years, schools could have received a "strong" or "exceptional" mark on their report cards, but received a "not met" mark on their federal report. Now, that's no longer possible.

Tarzian said while the reports are a cause for celebration, she said they don't reveal the full extent of the district's work.

"It doesn't take into consideration areas such as the arts, music and physical education," Tarzian said. "It's a tool that helps drive us but it doesn't speak for everything we are committed to."

Copies of the report cards will be mailed to families by Jan. 15, 2010.

The report cards can be viewed online at http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1786