We pay more state tax money for schools, in Utah than anything else. But, how do we know, it's money well spent? There is a way, parents can hold schools accountable and find out just where they need to improve. Nadine Wimmer has more from Union Middle School. Deanie, where can we find this information?

In accreditation reports. Many parents don't know this, but schools have to pass inspection, just like any business would. Union Middle just went through the accreditation process, it's a way to see which schools are making the grade.

Accreditation teams put Union Middle School under the microscope. They scoured library shelves. They watched teachers in action. And inspected classroom equipment. The principal expected they'd find one safety problem.

Ann White/Principal (("THERE ARE SOME WALLS THAT ARE NOT DESIGNED TO MEET FIRE CODE RIGHT NOW, BUT THAT'S ALL GOING TO BE RECTIFIED THIS SUMMER."))

But overall, this school, like most, earned high marks.

Jerry Evans/Inspection Team ((Q: "DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE SO FAR? A: YOU BET, IT'S A GOOD SCHOOL SO FAR."))

Accreditors don't say the same about all Utah schools. State records show several schools last year, were placed on warning, at risk of losing their accreditation.

Highland High School in Salt Lake, for having teachers with far too many students.

Wendover High had a science teacher with no college degree.

Woods Cross High also had teachers with too many students, and problems in the library, not enough staff or books.

Wayne High School, in Bicknell had a principal that wasn't certified.

And Richfield High warned for having 1 counselor assigned to 600 students.

Even Roland Hall-St. Marks, an exclusive private school was warned because the principal and several teachers were not certified.

(("UTAH HIGH SCHOOLS ARE TYPICALLY UNDER FIRE FOR LARGE CLASS SIZES."))

Connie Love/State Office of Education (("AND THAT IS ALARMING WHEN YOU SEE A SCHOOL THAT CONSISTENTLY HAS HIGH NUMBERS OF TEACHERS WITH EXCESSIVE LOADS."))

Inspectors say the annual reports show improvement this year. And given tight funding, Utah test scores remain impressive.

Ralph Vander Heide/Accreditation team (("I'M JUST AMAZED SOMETIMES AT HOW MUCH THEY DO WITH WHAT THEY'VE GOT."))

But they hope educators and parents will get more involved in the accreditation process to make sure schools meet the standards, and students reap the benefits.

So what are the benefits of an accredited school? Many colleges accept and give scholarships only to those students from accredited high schools. If you want to see the accreditation report from your child's school ask the administration.