District Receives Distinction in Performance Award
for 4th Year

The Joplin School District is a recipient of the state's prestigious Distinction in Performance award for the fourth consecutive year. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has honored Joplin with the award annually since 2004.

“We are proud to be ‘Accredited with Distinction’ for a fourth year in a row,” says Superintendent Dr. Jim Simpson. “The continuous academic success of Joplin students is a result of hard work and dedication by every member of our team as well as support shown by parents and the Joplin community."

Missouri school districts must meet at least 13 of 14 student performance standards on their Annual Performance Report (APR) to receive the annual Distinction in Performance award. Compiled each year by DESE, an APR is based on the same criteria used in the accreditation process and displays whether or not a school district has met standards related to student academic performance. These include MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) test scores, ACT college entrance exam scores, attendance rate, graduation rate, the number of graduates continuing to college, and other academic performance measures.

(posted 12/03/07)