Cape Girardeau schools see big jump in annual scores

Annual performance reports for local school districts show a huge increase for Cape Girardeau and a nice jump for Perry County District 32.

"We recognize that while we are celebrating our APR and the significant increase ... like every school we have work to do, especially right now in academic achievement," said Sherry Copeland, Cape assistant superintendent for academic services. "That is always our main focus, to make sure our students perform at the highest level possible."

Jackson and Oak Ridge have declined slightly, and Scott City is holding its own.

The reports, issued by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, show how well each public school and district are meeting education standards.

The APR consists of five categories -- academic achievement, subgroup achievement, college and career readiness, attendance and graduation rate -- in which districts can score up to 140 points. Subgroups include minority students and students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. This is the second set of reports compiled using the Missouri School Improvement Program, version 5, or MSIP 5.

Cape Girardeau Public Schools checked in with an annual score of 88.2 percent, shooting up 14.3 from 73.9 in 2013.

Jackson R-2 Schools matched Scott City's performance rate with 91.4 percent this year, the same as last year. Jackson's rate was 92.5 percent in 2013.

Oak Ridge scored 96.4 percent this year, compared to 97.1 percent last year. Perry County climbed to 78.6 percent, from 70.7 percent in 2013.

Districts that score 90 percent or more are considered accredited with distinction; 70 percent or more, accredited; 50 percent or more, provisionally accredited; and less than 50 percent, unaccredited.

Copeland said the Cape district was at 59.3 percent in 2012, so rising to 88.2 percent is cause for celebration. Factors that helped raise the score were increases in college and career readiness and attendance, but the key was Professional Learning Communities "and particularly our focus on data."

PLCs involve educators collaborating to improve student learning. It was the third year Cape Girardeau schools have used them. The focus from last year was learning about the data team process, Copeland said, and how to use data to drive instruction.

"We will really settle into that this year ... using that data, analyzing it, and then adapting our instruction to help all students," Copeland said.

Another item is visiting classrooms more often to watch instruction taking place and ensure students are engaged, Copeland added.

Using formative assessments, which let teachers know whether students understand what they're being taught, also is helping.

The district's four-year graduation rate was 85.8 percent for 2014. The state rate is 87.1 percent.

Jackson

Jackson's score declined 1.1 from last year -- from 92.5 to 91.4 percent, but officials note it still meets the requirements for accreditation with distinction.

"So we're pretty excited about that," associate superintendent personnel/instruction Matt Lacy said.

Broken down, the district's student achievement data would exceed the state in every category.

"We're still analyzing [the] data and looking for ways for improve," he said.

Superintendent Ron Anderson said the district has seen strong test scores for about 14 years, but trying to maintain them is a challenge. High-performing districts don't get as many points for improvement because they're already at a high level, he said.

Beth Emmendorfer, assistant superintendent administrative/student services, said while the district earned all the points possible in graduation and attendance, it saw increases over last year in college and career readiness. Its super-subgroups have remained "pretty consistent," something the district also is pleased with.

Scott City

Scott City maintained its rate of 91.4 percent -- the same for three years running, superintendent Diann Ulmer said.

"We're still really proud of the performance that we had," Ulmer said. "At this point, we're on track for the accredited with distinction."

She said there is still probably work to be done in super-subgroup achievement, and the attendance rate is a bright spot.

The district's four-year graduation rate is 100 percent. She said many programs are in place to ensure students earn their diplomas.

"According to the state data, we are at the 2020 target, which is where they want us to be," she added.

Oak Ridge

In Southeast Missouri, Oak Ridge shares a 96.4 percent annual performance report score with Leopold and Neelyville. Richard R-I was tops in the region with 96.8 percent, according to information from superintendent Gerald Landwee. Nine other schools also attained the 96.4.

Its graduation rate is 100 percent, DESE figures show.

"While the APR is a snapshot of an annual report by DESE, our students and teachers are consistently producing great products throughout the year and are to be commended for them, as well," Landwee said.

Perry County

Perry County District 32 increased its APR score this year by 7.9 points to 78.6 percent, from 70.7 percent in 2013.

The district's four-year graduation rate is 75 percent.

"Every day, our teachers are working together to give our highest-achieving students the challenges they need to soar, our average students the tools they need to become high achievers, and our low-performing students the interventions and resources they need to find success," District 32 superintendent Scott Ireland said in a news release. "I couldn't be more proud of the staff and students here."

Across the state

Overall, DESE reported, 56.6 percent of districts raised their APR scores compared to 2013. More than 97 percent of districts received at least 70 percent of the possible points.

Under the Missouri School Improvement Program, or MSIP 5, a district's score on three consecutive annual performance reports, along with other factors, is used to determine accreditation. Education officials say a three-year period is needed to show long-term, sustained performance trends for districts.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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