11 Arkansas school districts 'need improvement'

The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires states to identify troubled districts and take corrective action if they continually fail to meet the goals. 11 districts have been identified as "needing improvement" and must devise improvement plans or revise their existing plans. they must also spend at least 10% of their federal funds on additional staff training.

If the districts continue to fail to meet the goals, the state can take corrective action, including replacing school staff, appointing receivers or trustees to run the school systems or abolishing the districts. The 11 districts are Brinkley, Clarendon, Dollarway, Fordyce, Fort Smith, Hughes, Little Rock, McGehee, North Little Rock, Pulaski County Special, and Osceola. Here's more from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Associated Press.