The Kentucky Department of Education has developed the merit rating as a means of providing special recognition to middle school and high school curricular areas that are of superior quality. When a school wishes an area of the curriculum to be considered for a merit rating, the principal requests an evaluation; an evaluation team is selected and conducts an on-site visit. Based on the evaluation team's report and the recommendations of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education determines which programs deserve merit ratings. The general criteria for evaluation address program administration, philosophy and objectives, class load, teacher qualifications, curriculum, instructional materials, evaluation procedures, facilities, and opportunities for professional growth. These guidelines include the criteria and rating forms necessary to conduct an evaluation. (Author/BW)