Missouri education department submits A-F school grading framework to governor’s office

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) - The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has submitted a proposed A-F framework for grading the state’s public schools and districts to the governor’s office.

The submission responds to an executive order signed Jan. 13 by Gov. Mike Kehoe directing the department to create yearly A-F grade cards that reflect student outcomes. Under the framework, the department would produce annual grade cards for districts, schools, and charter schools. The new system would be an addition to Missouri’s existing accountability tools, not a replacement.

“The goal for the A-F school grading framework is to provide families and communities with a simple, comparable and rigorous picture of school performance,” said Dr. Stacey Preis, interim commissioner of education.

How schools would be graded

For K-8 schools, grades would include student academic achievement, value-added growth and growth toward proficiency in English language arts, literacy, mathematics and science.

For high schools, grades would include student academic achievement and value-added growth in English language arts, mathematics and science, as well as Success Ready Graduate measures and four-year graduation rate.

“Parents deserve clear, easy-to-understand information about how schools are performing so they can make the best decisions for their children,” Kehoe said. “The A-F framework is about bringing greater transparency and accountability to Missouri’s education system by giving greater weight to student outcomes rather than the administrative process.”

The department plans to present the proposal to the State Board of Education in August. The plan remains subject to change based on any revisions requested during the review process.

To view of the executive order framework, click here.

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