Fewer of Georgia's public schools met federal testing goals this year, with about 69 percent making the mark compared with 82 percent last year.

The Georgia Department of Education released its annual report today showing whether schools met the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The law expects schools to continually improve student learning. Those that fail to do so face sanctions, ranging from having to offer free tutoring to hiring new staff to a possible takeover by the state.

State schools superintendent Kathy Cox had predicted more schools would fail this year because of low math test scores. The state says it created harder elementary and middle school math tests to match the state's more rigorous curriculum in this subject.

Also, more students in all grades were required to pass state math and English exams to meet testing goals. Passing rates will gradually increase to reach the federal mandate that 100 percent of students pass by 2014.

"We have increased rigor coupled with increased expectations," Cox said in a telephone interview today. "It was harder this year, much more difficult than ever before."

This double whammy of harder math tests and higher pass rates affected elementary schools the most. About 77 percent of them made testing goals this year, compared with about 96 percent last year.

The most troubling results were found in high schools. Only 48 percent made testing goals, compared with 56 percent last year.

"It's math that's hurting us," Cox said. "We have to help these kids who are sitting in our high schools with very weak math skills."

To determine if schools met testing goals, Georgia looked at several criteria, including scores from two state exams — the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests and the Georgia High School Graduation Tests — that students took during the 2007-08 school year. The state analyzed a school's overall score and results from groups of students, such as minorities, kids from poor families, students with disabilities and children who are not fluent in English. The entire school failed if just one group missed the mark.

Schools that reached testing goals have made "adequate yearly progress," also called AYP.

Those that missed the mark for at least two consecutive years are labeled as "needs improvement" and face sanctions. The penalties become more severe the longer a school needs improvement.

Results for all Georgia schools can be found at www.gadoe.org.

SCHOOLS THAT 'NEED IMPROVEMENT'

Schools that miss federal testing goals for two years in a row are labeled as "needs improvement" and begin facing sanctions. The penalties will change slightly this year because of flexibility Georgia received from the U.S. Department of Education. Here is what will happen:

Years 1 and 2

Schools in year one may offer free tutoring or let children transfer to higher-performing schools. During year two schools must offer both.

Years 3, 4

These schools face different punishments depending on why they missed testing goals. Schools that missed by just a little will choose from one of four actions: extend the school year or school day, convert to a charter school, hire an outside expert or change the organizational structure of the school.

Those with more problems must choose from six options: Replace existing staff, decrease local control at the school, extend the school year or school day, convert to a charter school, hire an outside expert or change the organizational structure of the school.

The state will choose the punishment for schools with the most serious problems from the above six options.

Year 5, higher

The state plans to assign one monitor to work full time at each failing school as a supervisor. This monitor will provide advice over hiring, teaching methods and other academic issues. State education officials say this is not a takeover because budget and nonacademic decisions will be handled by each school district.