The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, also known as DESE, has shared the latest figures on school performance statewide, with results indicating a hopeful uptick in educational standards. According to details released, schools across Missouri are largely on track with the rigorous criteria set by the sixth iteration of the Missouri School Improvement Program – MSIP 6 for short. The Annual Performance Reports (APRs) for the 2023-24 academic year suggest more than 86 percent of Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are meeting or surpassing the expectations.

Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger, speaking on the matter, noted the commitment at the grassroots level which has resulted in "positive movement." According to the DESE website, "The data shows that Missouri schools are meeting the more rigorous requirements and higher expectations set forth in MSIP 6," Eslinger said. The performance reports this year will not be used for classifying LEAs but rather focus on individual student outcomes, with a composite score covering three years of data for a broader view of progress and trends.

Significantly, more than 60 percent of LEAs improved their APR scores compared to the previous year. While the APR scores have traditionally held weight in LEA classifications, this academic year will see them exempt from such use. Instead, DESE is presenting a draft of an alternate performance report for 20 LEAs that are partaking in the State School Innovation Waiver, under the Success-Ready Students Network (SRSN), aiming to shape future iterations of MSIP.

"They are leading the way, exploring competency-based learning models thinking about how best to expand real-world learning experiences for students while clearly demonstrating a student’s readiness for their next step after graduation," Eslinger explained. The DESE website elaborates on this initiative as a collaboration that's expected to continue evolving.

MSIP's main goal is to ensure student readiness for success post-graduation, be it in college, a career, or life in general. The APRs help in assessing how schools are aligning with the set goals. The new composite score technique, including three years' worth of APR data, will aid in making more stable classification recommendations, moving away from the volatility that comes with single-year data.