State grants accreditation to area districts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The State Board of Education on Wednesday renewed full accreditation for the Jackson and Nell Holcomb school districts without the districts having to first undergo the usual comprehensive review process by state officials.

Jackson and Nell Holcomb were among 16 high-performing school systems to receive accreditation after earning a waiver from an on-site evaluation by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education -- the first to be so accredited under a department regulation that took effect in January.

"The waiver recognizes and rewards school districts that consistently perform well and are showing steady academic progress," said Dr. D. Kent King, commissioner of education. "We hope these districts are the first of many that will earn accreditation on the basis of a much-simplified review process."

Under the Missouri School Improvement Plan, districts renew their accreditation every five years. District officials spend months preparing for the on-site review, which lasts up to three days. The waiver was intended to reduce the regulatory burden on districts that have proven they don't need full oversight by the state to maintain satisfactory academic performance.