Five County Schools Could Receive Distinction In Performance
August 23, 2011
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Preliminary Annual Performance Reports for Missouri’s school districts were released to the public by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Friday.
Based on the reports, four of Polk County’s school districts — Bolivar R-1, Humansville R-4, Marion C. Early R-5 and Pleasant Hope R-6 — could receive a Distinction in Performance rating. Half Way R-3 Schools has started an appeal that could end with the district receiving Distinction. The rating is the highest level of accreditation a district can receive from DESE.
Bolivar, Marion C. Early and Pleasant Hope met 14 of the indicators while Humansville met 13 indicators and all the MAP standards.
“The academic improvement of our students as shown by the APR and AYP this year is rewarding for our community and demonstrates the deep-felt commitment to a quality education,” R-5 Superintendent Eric Kurre said. “We are proud of our students, parents and teachers.”
According to DESE records dating back to the 2001-02 school year, a possible Distinction in Performance rating could be the first in school history for both Humansville R-4 and Marion C. Early R-5.
“The district’s outstanding APR results are no doubt due to the hard work and due diligence of the teachers and staff here at the Humansville School District,” said Dr. Ryan Nowlin, superintendent. “All stakeholders have played a part in this distinction, and we will continue to strive to be a district with excellent performance and improved student learning.”
Bolivar reported 20-point increases in MAP scores, and Marion C. Early reported 20- and 30-point increases.
At Bolivar’s Board of Education meeting Thursday night, Assistant Superintendent T.C. Wall reported the district was above state standards in all MAP areas, except the white subgroup in mathematics. Bolivar’s EOC, eighth-grade science and Biology I scores ranked above state standards. For more information about Bolivar’s MAP scores, see the story on Page 11A.
To receive Distinction in Performance, a school district must meet 14 of 14 performance indicators or 13 of 14 indicators, as long as all MAP standards are met.
The Fair Play and Half Way school districts each met 13 of the 14 indicators but did not meet all MAP standards to receive Distinction in Performance.
Dr. Tim Boatwright, superintendent at the Half Way School District, said the R-3 district could receive Distinction in Performance after the appeal process.
“We currently have 13 points on our APR; however, we are in the process of an appeal and should have 14 points when it is approved,” Boatwright said. “Overall we are pleased with our scores and we would like to thank our parents and community for their continued support of Half Way R-3 Schools.”
Half Way met all of its grades 3-8 MAP indicators. Boatwright said grades 3-5 reported their highest communication arts score in five years. Grades 5-8 scored the highest in district history in science. Math scores for grades 6-8 in a free and reduced lunch subgroup showed a 21.2-point increase.
Fair Play Schools lacked points only in one area — English II communications arts end-of-course exam. In all other areas, students in Fair Play saw 20-point growth in grades 3-8 MAP scores. Algebra I EOC scores increased by 10 points.
“We’re pleased with the 13 out of 14,” said Renee Sagaser, Fair Play superintendent. “Of course, we would have liked to get distinction. It’s something to look forward to for next year.”
Polk County schools are not new to receiving Distinction in Performance recognition. In addition to Bolivar receiving the distinction for the sixth consecutive year, Bolivar R-1 also received distinction during the 2001-02 school year. Fair Play received Distinction in Performance in 2008-09, 2007-08 and 2004-05. Pleasant Hope received the distinction in 2008-09, 2007-08, 2002-03 and 2001-02. Half Way has received the award the past five years.
APR scores will be finalized in October.
