More Indiana schools have slipped into academic watch and probation status, with two-thirds of school districts falling under the lowest two categories of the state's five-tier ranking system.

New data released yesterday show that about 70 percent of public high schools, 64 percent of public middle schools and 35 percent of public elementary schools fell into the lowest two categories in 2008.

About a quarter of Indiana's public schools fell into a lower category in 2008 than 2007.

Only schools in the lowest category of academic probation face consequences such as possible restructuring. Indiana had 138 public schools on probation in 2008, up from 127 a year before. Private schools and charter schools are exempt from the consequences.