Wentzville Schools Pass Annual Performance Review

Wentzville schools are expected to receive the highest level of accreditation from the state, based on preliminary annual performance data released Friday.

The  met 14 of the 14 standards on which the state evaluates school districts. 

The state considers 14 academic performance standards ranging from test scores, to attendance to the number of advanced courses to Annual College Test (ACT) scores. Of the 447 K-12 districts in the state, 256 met all 14 standards while 64 met 13 standards.

Margie Vandeven, assistant commissioner in the office of quality schools at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), said the scores aren't based only one year of data alone, but provide a report on each district's progress.

"We believe Missouri's Annual Performance Review is a much better indicator of student performance than the national Adequate Yearly Progress," she said.

To be fully accredited, a district must have met 9-14 of the standards, to receive provisional accreditation, the district must meet 6-9 standards. Districts who meet 0-5 standards can receive a recommendation to the State Board of Education to be classified as unaccredited.

The vast majority of schools in the state — 510 of 520 — are expected to receive full accreditation after the final APR results are released in September.

"The system we have in place helps us identify which districts we have that need more time and attention," she said.

The scores this year are relatively consistent with last year's results as each standard is compared, she said. Vandeven said while she is pleased with the progress the state has made, she knows districts can do better.

Wentzville School District

The Wentzville School District met all 14 required standards. They are as follows: 

• MAP Grades 3-5 — Math and Communication Arts
• MAP Grades 6-8 — Math and Communication Arts
• EOC Algebra I
• EOC English II
• Bonus MAP Achievement
• ACT
• Advanced courses
• Career Education courses
• College Placement
• Career Education placement
• Graduation rate
• Attendance rate
• Subgroup achievement

2011 Preliminary Annual Performance Review

Patch spoke with Dr. Susan Gauzy, Wentzville's assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and assessment.

"We’re very proud that we’ve continued to enhance our student learning and our student achievement," she said. Gauzy said that the district was very proud to have maintained their level of achievement over the last three years, and attributed it to the district’s educators.

 "We have great teachers," Gauzy said.

For more information on each school district's score, please visit The Missouri Comprehensive Data System and click on Accountability Reports.