EDUCATION authorities in the region are improving, according to Ofsted ratings.
Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland borough councils improved their star rating from two to three -the top award in the rankings, which started last year.
Hartlepool, North Yorkshire, Durham and City of York councils also received three stars this year.
Darlington and Middlesbrough were given upper two-star ratings and Sunderland received a lower two-star rating.
Overall, the standard of local education authorities (LEAs) has improved since last year, the Department for Education and Skills said.
Out of 140 LEAs, 41 were awarded three stars for current performance and a further 62 were awarded upper two-stars.
The ratings are judged on inspections and performance measures on how pupils improve from primary school to GCSE.
School Standards Minister David Miliband said: "It has not been easy, but increasing numbers of LEAs are rising to the challenge, and standards are improving across the board."
But he warned there were too many authorities not performing as well as expected.
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