(The Lion) — Newly released data from Missouri reveals that one in six school districts fall short of meeting new state accreditation standards.
The 2023 annual performance report, which assesses factors such as standardized test scores, graduation rates and strategic plans, shows a statewide average score of 77%, a significant decline from 96% in 2018.
The Missouri Annual Performance Report is using a more rigorous scoring system for the second year in a row.
This year’s scores indicate 87 school districts fell into the provisional accreditation category, a score of 50-69%. Districts that score less than 50% for three consecutive years could lose their accreditation.
Based on the data, Missouri Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven, who recently announced her retirement, expressed the need for academic recovery in the coming years, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-District 15, called the results “embarrassing,” anticipating the need for more education reform this upcoming legislative session.
“Academic outcomes are embarrassing,” Koenig said, according to the Post-Dispatch. “Parents are increasingly frustrated. Public education is no longer solely focused upon education.”
Districts ranking in the top 10% include Brentwood, Clayton, Crystal City, Festus, Fort Zumwalt, Francis Howell, Kirkwood, Lindbergh and Lafayette Prep charter school.
Districts in the bottom 10%, include Grandview (Jefferson County), Normandy, Ritenour, Riverview Gardens and St. Louis Public Schools, plus St. Louis charter schools Confluence, Kairos Academies, Lift for Life and North Side Community, Hawthorn and La Salle charter schools.
