Superintendent says KC schools making progress

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Citing improved test scores and other factors, Kansas City School Superintendent Bernard Taylor Jr. told the state Board of Education Thursday there's been enough progress for the district to be considered for re-accreditation.

Taylor, with the vocal backing of educators, parents and students, told the board that the district's progress will continue for years to come.

"The district is worthy of being reaccredited," Taylor told the board, which did not take any action on his report. "I do think the urgency of accreditation has put everybody on point that something needs to be done."

The state stripped the district of its accreditation in May 2000 after the schools failed to show adequate improvement in meeting 11 educational criteria.

Improvements seen

The district has until June to regain accreditation before the state would assume control of the schools, something district officials are trying to stave off.

Taylor said that district participation on the statewide Missouri Assessment Program tests has risen to 90 percent. At least 3 percent of some students who scored in the two lowest testing categories have moved up to higher levels. In some testing areas, 3 percent of students have moved into the top two achievement levels, Taylor said.

Taylor was joined by students and educators from the district, who applauded several times during his report to the board.

Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes, in a videotaped presentation for the board, said a consortium of community and business leaders along with educators have thrown their support behind improving the district.

"Local control is the best answer for our community," Barnes said. "We will demonstrate that the Kansas City Missouri School District and our community can make our district and other districts in the Kansas City area the best they can be."

In a letter to the board citing the cooperative effort, Barnes asked the board to delay a decision on accreditation for an additional two years. The board took no action on the request.

Taylor, the district's 20th leader in 30 years, took over a legally troubled and academically deficient system with nearly 30,000 students, 5,000 employees and a $275 million budget.

Russell Thompson, president of the Board of Education, said he was pleased with the apparent progress that had been made by the district.

"It's an encouraging report for us," Thompson said. "I hope you continue to make progress."