Pattonville’s annual performance report shows gains
A state report shows the Pattonville School District is making the grade in student performance when considering factors such as Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test scores, dropout rate, ACT scores, attendance and reading achievement.

Each year, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) releases an Annual Performance Report (APR) for each district in the state. The APR shows the district’s status on the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) performance standards using current data that DESE has on file. The report shows whether or not a local school district has met 13 standards related to student performance. Those standards include

• MAP scores for grade 3 through 5, grades 6 through 8 and grades 9 though 11;
• Improvement in scores on a MAP retest taken by students who scored at Step 1 the first time they took the MAP;
• Reading indexes for grades 3 and 7;
  
• ACT college entrance test scores;
• Number of students taking advanced placement courses;
• Number of students taking vocational courses;
• Number of graduates continuing onto college;
• Number of graduates placed in a vocational job or educational institution;
• Dropout rate; and
• Attendance.

As state standards have changed over the past five years, Pattonville has gone from meeting six out of a possible 11 standards in 1999 to meeting 13 out of 13 standards in 2001. Pattonville’s performance, as recorded on its 2001 APR has earned the district a “Distinction in Performance” award from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Only 16 districts in the St. Louis area earned this award this year.

“Our elementary schools have seen some dramatic improvement in test scores, and our secondary schools continue to make progress on improving achievement,” said Superintendent Hugh Kinney. “While we’re excited about the improvements and the gains our students have made, we still have much work left to do to ensure that all students are achieving to their highest potential.

In addition, Kinney said this spring’s MAP testing will have a significant impact on the district’s accreditation review next school year.

“During your MSIP review, the state looks at improvement over five years,” Kinney said. “This is our fifth and final year to show the necessary improvements for our MSIP review. In school terms, how our students perform on the MAP this spring and in other academic areas will account for 20 percent of our final grade when it comes to accreditation next year.”

Kinney said he is encouraged because Pattonville’s APR shows the district on track to meet the standard for improvement in MAP scores at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. The district has also met the state’s reading standard and the scores of minority students have improved at a rate equal or greater than the majority population. The dropout rate continues to be low and attendance high.

“Knowing we are on our way to accreditation is a credit to every member of our team,” Kinney said. “We look forward to demonstrating to our community that they live in a district that excels, one that values the achievement of every child. I congratulate all the parents, students and staff members who played a part in improving our schools.”