"Accredited with Distinction". . . AGAIN!

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has confirmed that Joplin is among an elite group of Missouri school districts to earn the state’s “Distinction in Performance” award. This marks the second year in a row that the Joplin School District has earned this coveted honor.

To receive the annual “Distinction in Performance” award, Missouri school districts must meet at least 11 of 12 student performance standards in their Annual Performance Report (APR). 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, dropout rate, the number of graduates continuing to college, and other academic performance measures. This year, Joplin scored 91 out of a possible 100 points and met all MAP performance standards.

"We are extremely proud that our students have done very well on the state's accountability tests," said Superintendent Dr. Jim Simpson. "Student success is always our main focus, which is why our staff puts so much effort into teaching and instruction. We are dedicated to continuing our tradition of 'Accredited with Distinction'."

• To view the 2005 APR data for Joplin Schools, please click here.
  
• To view data for all Missouri school districts, go to the School Data and Statistics page of the DESE website. (TIP: Under the "Make a Selection" area, scroll down, highlight the district of your choice, and click "Load Profile." A district's APR information can then be viewed by clicking the link in the upper right corner entitled 2005 Annual Performance Report (APR) and AYP. On the next page, click on the first >> symbol listed under the "Summary Report" heading.)

(posted 11/02/05)