A performance audit of the state’s public schools identified approximately 470 in Washington state as low-performing, according to Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley. The 267,000 students enrolled at them represent nearly a quarter of those depending on the public education system.

The performance audit was cut short due to a lack of resources and the passing of Senate Bill 5329, but the report was released with what information was available.

Based on the information presented by the audit to the state Board of Education and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, standards were identified to hold low-performing public schools accountable. Beginning July 28, these standards were put into effect by the passing of Senate Bill 5329, called “Transforming persistently failing schools.”

The statewide system will hold public schools accountable for the academic success of students.

The Leading Practices, as defined by the State Auditor’s summary are:

• Performance goals
• Implement strategies
• Measure performance
• Monitor/manage performance
• Report performance
• Create incentives

Kelley said voter-approved audits are an integral component in analyzing government agencies — including the public school system. This is especially the case during times of financial instability, he said.

“Performance audits are a critical resource for improving government efficiency, especially during difficult times,” he said.

From 2001 to 2010, the state funded improvement programs at Title I schools, which have a high percentage of low-income students. However, the same funding wasn’t available for non-Title I schools that fell short in performance categories.

Senate Bill 5329 sought to bridge that gap by putting the primary goals of the audit into law.