• ST. LOUIS, MO. August 14, 2012 – The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has released the final Annual Performance Report  (APR) data for all public school districts in Missouri.  The St. Louis Public School District received seven (7) APR points towards accreditation and now qualifies for provisional accreditation as defined by DESE’s published guidelines for accreditation. 

     

    “This is another step forward,” said Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams.  “St. Louis Public School District students have continuously shown academic improvement since 2009.  While there is still work to do, I want to congratulate the students and staff for their continuous efforts to improve academically each and every day. ”

     

    The seven accreditation points are the most St. Louis Public Schools has earned since the state’s accountability standards were last revised in 2006.   SLPS earned seven accreditation points by meeting the state’s performance standards in the following areas: 

    • EOC/Algebra I,
    • Advanced Courses,
    • Career Courses,
    • College Placement,
    • Career Education Placement,
    • Graduation Rate, and
    • Attendance

     

    The St. Louis Public School District lost accreditation in 2007 due to steady declines in the District’s academic performance, concerns about the District’s long-term financial stability, and turmoil in the District’s leadership. At that time the Special Administrative Board (SAB) was appointed and charged with restoring the District to accreditation status.

     

    Since that time, the SAB has implemented the following:

    ·         Implementing a DESE-approved Accountability Plan that provides for improved collection and use of data to drive academic gains and ‘cultural’ change in instructional and operational functions of the District

    ·         Increasing the number of APR points earned for a third year

    ·         Increasing the number of schools making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for a third year

    ·         Eliminating the District’s fiscal deficit and operating with a balanced budget and a year-end surplus for a third year

    ·         Naming a superintendent in 2008, renewing his contract in 2011, thus ushering in a period of stability and accountability in District leadership

     

    “SLPS students and staff have worked diligently to demonstrate their academic skills and abilities and have earned the APR points necessary to remove the stigma of being an unaccredited District,” said Rick Sullivan, President of the Special Administrative Board. 

     

    Other successes of the SAB include increasing the graduation rate and attendance rate of SLPS, passing a $155 million facilities improvement bond issues, and remediating lead paint in all District schools serving children between the ages of 3 and 7 years of age. 

     

    For more information, please contact the Office of Public Information (314) 345-2367.

     

    ###