CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Metropolitan School District students are heading back to the classroom Thursday.

About 55,000 students, teachers and administrators are going to work to improve the district's report card after the state dropped its rating from continuous improvement to academic watch.

Cleveland students performed at or above state standards on only two achievement tests, 11th grade reading and writing, the reason behind the school's lower rating.

Schools Superintendent Dr. Eugene Sanders said it means everyone must work harder.

"We took a step back this year but it doesn't mean we are going to surrender. We make no excuses except that we did not get the job done at a level we anticipated," Sanders said.

The plan for improving the grade includes engaging parents with initiatives such as meetings and parent round-ups.

The district also aims to improve attendance rates and throw additional resources to the lowest performing schools.

Kindergarten through eighth-grade students will also wear uniforms this year. It's the second year for this district policy.