The results highlight two Columbia schools that need improvement for the second year in a row.

Under No Child Left Behind rules, a school needs improvement when its students perform below the state's proficiency goals. No Child Left Behind requires the state to break down MAP data into four subgroups, which include racial and ethnic groups, limited English proficiency, special needs education and students who get free and reduced lunch.

In a public information hearing on Thursday, Columbia Public School administrators identified Parkade and Field as two elementary schools needing improvement for the second year. The MAP score data also placed Benton, Blue Ridge and Mill Creek in that category for the first time.

Columbia Public School administrators say that means parents of children at under-performing schools can choose to change schools. Students at any one of the 5 schools can also get tutoring services.

"Our principals will work on their school improvement plans, through their school improvement planning and will work with the families at those schools in order to allocate their resources in a way that best serves our students at those schools," said Sally Beth Lyon, an Columbia Public Schools administrator.

Administrators say the percentage of students in Columbia Public Schools who met MAP proficiency goals exceeds the state average.