Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

November 5, 2004

State Officials Release Updated List
of Schools "Needing Improvement"

State education officials today released the final list of public schools (including charter schools) that have been identified as "needing improvement" because they have not met state goals for academic progress for two consecutive years.

The list is an updated version of preliminary findings that were announced in August, following the release of results from the 2004 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) exams given by public schools last spring.

As a result of corrections submitted by local school districts and further review by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, many local schools have now achieved "adequate yearly progress" (AYP) for the 2003-04 school year.

Based on the revised statistics released today, 77 percent of all public schools in the state met the AYP goals, and 86 percent of schools receiving Title I funds have met the targets.

According to federal requirements in the No Child Left Behind Act, schools that receive federal Title I funds and do not meet state goals for AYP in communication arts or math for two consecutive years must be identified as "needing improvement." These schools may be required to give students the option, if available, of transferring to a higher-performing school within the district.

Schools face more severe consequences if they repeatedly fail to meet the annual AYP targets in succeeding years.

A total of 108 Missouri schools have now been identified as needing improvement. More than 250 were on the preliminary list.

In addition, 13 schools are listed as being in school improvement for the third year, and 8 schools are in the category of "corrective action." These buildings are among a small group of Missouri schools originally identified as needing improvement in 2002. The schools in "third-year" status met the AYP target in at least one subject area this year, so they remain in the "needing improvement" category for another year.

Schools identified for corrective action have not met AYP goals for four years. These schools are required to choose and implement corrective measures that may include working with outside experts, implementing a new curriculum, restructuring the school or replacing staff.