Vol. 38, No. 42
November 29, 2004
157 School Districts Earn Coveted
"Distinction in Performance" Honors
One hundred fifty-seven Missouri school districts have earned the state’s coveted "Distinction in Performance" award for making consistent progress in improving academic achievement, state education officials announced today.
The annual recognition is based on school districts’ performance on MAP test scores, ACT scores, attendance and dropout rates, and other measures of academic performance during the last school year (2003-04).
"This award is unique and demanding, because it requires districts to demonstrate growth and progress across the board. Districts must show improvement or high performance at every level – elementary, middle and high school. It isn’t good enough to excel in a single area," said Commissioner of Education D. Kent King.
"More than a decade ago, we set out to revamp the state’s accreditation standards and to focus more directly on improving academic performance by all students. We are proud to say that school districts have responded to that challenge and are working harder than ever to meet statewide standards and expectations. As a result, this award has become a prestigious honor for local school districts," King said.
Districts receiving the award this year include 34 elementary (K-8) and 123 K-12 districts. Last year, 177 districts qualified for the award.
To qualify for the recognition this year, K-8 districts had to meet 5 out of 6 performance standards (at least 45 out of 54 possible points), including all of the standards that are based on MAP test scores. K-12 districts had to meet 11 of 12 standards (at least 91 out of 100 points), including all of the MAP-based performance measures.
Under the state’s accreditation process, school districts are formally evaluated once every five years, according to State Board of Education standards. The Distinction in Performance award is based on the same performance criteria that are included in the accreditation review process, but the award represents a one-year "snapshot" of the district’s key academic performance indicators.
The award is intended to provide an incentive for districts to focus on continuously improving academic achievement in all of the areas covered by the accreditation standards.
State education officials will formally recognize each of the school districts at a series of regional meetings next spring.
Distinction in Performance Award
K-8 School Districts
| Altenburg | Kelso | Richards |
| Avenue City | Laclede Co. C-5 | Richwoods |
| Belleview | Laredo | Ripley Co. R-III |
| Boncl | Luray | Spring Bluff |
| Centerville | Manes | Strasburg |
| Clarksburg | Mirabile | Success |
| Fairview | Missouri City | Swedeborg |
| Franklin Co. R-II | New York | Taneyville |
| Glenwood | North Wood | Thornfield |
| Howell Valley | Phelps Co. R-III | Westview |
| Hudson | Pleasant View | |
| Jefferson Co. R-VII | Renick |
K-12 School Districts
| Adrian | Hermitage | Northwest |
| Ash Grove | Hillsboro | Osage Co. R-II |
| Atlanta | Houston | Palmyra |
| Aurora | Hurley | Park Hill |
| Bakersfield | Jackson | Parkway |
| Bell City | Jefferson C-123 | Pattonsburg |
| Belton | Jefferson City | Pattonville |
| Bernie | Joplin | Perry Co. |
| Blue Springs | Kearney | Pike Co. R-III |
| Bowling Green | Keytesville | Pilot Grove |
| Braymer | Kingsville | Puxico |
| Brookfield | Kirksville | Rock Port |
| Brunswick | Kirkwood | Rockwood |
| Bucklin | Ladue | Santa Fe |
| Camdenton | Laquey | Scotland Co. R-I |
| Canton | Lee's Summit | Shelby Co. R-IV |
| Carl Junction | Leeton | South Iron Co. R-I |
| Central | Leopold | Southern Boone Co. R-I |
| Centralia | Liberty | Springfield |
| Clark Co. R-I | Lindbergh | St. Clair |
| Clayton | Linn Co. R-I | St. James |
| Clever | Lone Jack | St. Joseph |
| Cole Camp | Macks Creek | Stanberry |
| Cole Co. R-II | Marceline | Steelville |
| Columbia | Maryville | Stet |
| Concordia | McDonald Co. R-I | Stewartsville |
| Couch | Meramec Valley | Troy |
| Crane | Miami R-I, Amoret | Union |
| Crawford Co. R-I | Moniteau Co. R-I | Union Star |
| Crocker | Mountain View-Birch Tree | Valley |
| Fair Grove | Mt. Vernon | Warren Co. R-III |
| Fair Play | Nevada | Warrensburg |
| Fordland | New Franklin | Washington |
| Fox | Newburg | Waynesville |
| Ft. Zumwalt | Nixa | Webb City |
| Fulton | Norborne | Webster Groves |
| Galena | North Daviess | Wellsville Middletown |
| Grandview C-4 | North Mercer Co. R-III | West St. Francois Co. R-IV |
| Greenfield | North Platte Co. R-I | Winfield |
| Hale | North Shelby | Winston |
| Hartville | Northeast Randolph Co. R-IV | Zalma |