Ask your principal how your school is ranked by the Department of Education. Schools can be rated as either satisfactory or in need of improvement, based on the progress they make toward state-defined standards-based achievement. Schools that do not initially achieve the minimum state requirements for reading and math must set goals for improvement. If your class has not met the minimum state standard for reading or mathematics, find out which areas need improvement and what the goal is for the upcoming year. Work with other teachers and administrators to define a plan for helping students improve their learning.