ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - This week the Virginia Department of Education released its first School Performance and Support Framework .

This new accreditation method started last year in a hope to give more transparency.

But there was some pushback - with some education board members arguing it would increase learning gaps and segregation because families will leave subpar schools - leaving behind the neediest students.

Schools are now rated based on four grades - before this system, they were assessed as “accredited” or “accredited with condition”.

Now, it’s “Distinguished”, “On Track”, “Off Track” or “Needs Intensive Support”.

“Distinguished” is the best - meaning the school exceeded expectations. “On Track” is when a school meets the minimum expectations. “Off track” means it doe

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