Festus R-VI School District Earns 100% Annual Performance Report (APR) Score from the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
Today (2/1/19), the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) released its annual report card for schools. The Festus R-VI School District earned a 100% for 2018, the highest score possible. This is the sixth year DESE has released APR scores under the Missouri School Improvement Program 5 (MSIP 5), which promotes continuous improvement within each school district.
"Our staff are dedicated each day to provide the best learning experience for every child,” said Superintendent, Dr. Link Luttrell. “This score of 100% is a testament to that unwavering commitment to our students.”
The APR score gives the Board of Education, administrators and teachers a tool to help identify strengths and areas that need more improvement in the district. The APR score is created using a wide range of data based on the results from academic achievement, state standardized test scores (MAP/EOC), subgroup achievement, college and career readiness, attendance and graduation rates.
Under the state’s MSIP 5, a school district’s score on three consecutive APR’s, along with other factors, is used to determine accreditation. The level achieved by Festus means the district remains fully accredited.
"All students will graduate from Festus School District ready for college, career, and life. That continues to be our primary goal,” said Dr. Nicki Ruess, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning. “To reach this goal takes a collaborative effort from students, parents, and teachers. An APR of 100% shows the dedicated focused effort from everyone involved in the process of educating the students at Festus.”
Today, DESE also released student assessment results for each school from the test students took in the spring of 2018. DESE delayed the release of last year’s data because the tests were new, based on new, higher academic standards. Comparisons to previous years are not valid, because of the difference in the tests. Going forward, year-to-year comparisons can be made to evaluate student progress.
“Our state assessment scores were among the highest within the county and region which further demonstrates that our students are continuing to meet high expectations and are able to graduate both college and career ready,” said Luttrell.
A sampling of area school districts and their APR follows.
