Utah education leaders say a national report that gives Utah a C+ on state education policy — about at the national average — highlights some areas for potential improvement but doesn't paint a completely accurate picture.

"It shines a light on places where we could do better and gives us a sense of direction of what we should pay attention to in order to move in a positive direction," said Ray Timothy, associate superintendent for the State Office of Education. "We should never be afraid to look at where we need to improve."

Wednesday Education Week released the report, "Quality Counts 2006," which grades states based on their education policymaking and student achievement.

The report shows a series of analyses of the annual tests given across the country by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) between 1992 and 2005 and highlights how each state's improvement over the past decade compares to the nation as a whole.

Utah scored below average in three of the four graded categories, ranking as low as 39th for the state's standards and accountability, but ranked fourth for resource equity.

According to the report, Utah ranks low in efforts to improve teacher quality in part because it is one of three states that do not require aspiring teachers to pass any type of written test to earn an initial license.

But Timothy said that's not true. As of July, Utah law requires all teachers to take a rigorous content knowledge test to prove that they are highly qualified in the subject they are teaching.

He said Utah institutions have been giving the test voluntarily on their own, but the state did not have it as a requirement until this year.

That requirement came after the study's information deadline so was reported as non-existent.

"Next year we expect that because we now are requiring new teachers to pass that content knowledge test that grade should go up," Timothy said.

However, the analysis also shows Utah falling behind in holding schools and teacher-training programs accountable for teacher quality.

"I disagree with that because all of our teacher preparation programs have to meet accreditation standards — they are specific standards that they have to adhere to and they all meet those standards," Timothy said.

"So to say that we don't hold them accountable for teacher quality I don't believe is a true statement because (Utah) standards are those national standards and unless they met those standards the board would not allow them to have a preparation program."

Utah's score for standards and accountability also falls just below the national average and according to the report shows room for improvement in assessments and school accountability.