Nov. 25, 2024
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released its 2024 Annual Performance Report (APR) for all Missouri school districts, including the Wentzville School District (WSD), on Monday, Nov. 25. The WSD scored 89.2% meeting accreditation requirements and showing improvement from the previous year’s score of 84.4%.
What is an APR?
DESE's APR evaluates Missouri students and schools based on state standards. It is part of the Missouri School Improvement Plan (MSIP) 6 and is one way parents and communities assess districts. The report includes performance and continuous improvement metrics, and it considers how districts serve all students and student groups. The APR is the primary factor in a district’s accreditation status.
The 2024 APR academic data is based on the 2023-24 MAP testing cycle.
Achievements
In this year's report, our students increased the average MAP Performance Index (MPI) in ELA, math, and social studies. The MPI is a combination of proficiency designation (below basic, basic, proficient, or advanced) and the student scale score.
The District also performed well in the areas under continuous improvement.
Opportunities
The APR identified specific areas where the district will continue to focus on improvement for all students.
Academic achievement in math and science are areas of focus. While math growth was at the highest rating of “Target”, the performance score was in the second-highest category of “On Track”. Our science scores fell slightly below 400, a 1.9 point MPI decrease from 2023. We strive to hit the 400 MPI mark in the coming year.
Additionally, there was an increase in proportional attendance from 78.2% to 79.5%, indicating progress in an ongoing priority area for the District. However, the District remains committed to achieving the state-set goal of 90%, as it is a goal included in each school's individual improvement plan for the current year.
Takeaways
"While this is just one measure of a district’s success, it represents the tremendous work exhibited by our students and staff on a continual basis,” said Brian Bishop, superintendent of schools. “We are excited to see continued growth and establish a community where all are empowered to thrive and grow.”
New this year, DESE is reporting a composite score for all districts. This score combines the last three years of APR data. When looking at the top 20 districts in size, ranging from 23,600 students down to 9,072 students, WSD ranked number four in the composite score coming in at 87.5.
This year's APR was based on the MSIP 6. The District will report on the data at an upcoming Board of Education meeting. View the full APR report on the DESE website.
