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Jackson R-2 receives state annual report of 96.5 percent

The Jackson R-2 School District received a 96.5 percent score from its annual performance report from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The assessment aims to show how well each school district in the state is meeting performance standards. The standards include academic performance on statewide tests, the test scores of a subgroup of historically under-performing students, college and career readiness, attendance and the graduation rate.

Dr. Matt Lacy, associate superintendent of secondary and personnel, presented the report to the School Board at its Jan. 9 meeting, and it was unanimously approved.

The District received the maximum points possible for overall academic achievement, and received 12 out of a possible 14 points for the academic performance of special service and low-income students.

“These are things we focus on, and we try to bolster those scores,” Lacy said. “These are groups that historically underperform on the state exam, so the state wants us to give them special attention, which we do.”

Lacy added that the District received the same score last year and has not consistently received full credit in this area.

Jackson’s graduation rate and attendance scored highly by exceeding the state average of graduating seniors and by having 90 percent of students attending school at least 90 percent of the time.

The District received the maximum points on college readiness assessments including the ACT and on the percent of students successfully completing Advanced Placement or dual-credit classes.

Jackson R-2 only received 7.5 out of 10 points in the post-secondary placement category, which is two points lower than last year.

“This is simply a survey we have to give to seniors six months after they graduate,” Lacy said. “So this depends on us tracking down seniors after they leave, getting accurate information, and it also depends on what the senior chose to do with life.”

The District receives credit for if their students are in college, in the military or in a job that is related to the courses they took during high school. Lacy said they do a good job tracking down the students through social media and contacting parents, but the results may not be the most accurate indicator of students post-school success.

In other action:

• The District’s summer school programs were approved to be scheduled from May 31 to June 21. Summer school lasts for 16 days and the full plans for this year’s programs will be presented at a future Board meeting.

The current plan is to have programs at South and East elementary schools, as well as all secondary schools. Lacy added that the program at the middle school might have to move depending on construction.

• The Board set a Board meeting for Tuesday, Jan 23, at 7:15 a.m. The purpose of the second Board meeting is to approve a bid for the project at West Lane Elementary School.

Five general contractors came to the pre-bid meeting earlier this month, and the bids will be opened on Jan. 18. This will be a “hard bid” and all the subcontractors will be hired through the general contractor.

• Students from Gordonville Elementary School and Jackson CTA (Community Teachers Association) thanked the Board members for their commitment to the District. January is School Board Appreciation Month.

The Gordonville students prepared a video where they presented various awards to each of the board members. They also handed each member a movie-themed gift basket.

Jackson CTA gave each of the Board members thank-you letters and pictures from more students in the District.

• A student focus group will be formed to look at bullying in the district. The group will consist of sixth to 12th grade students, and will give feedback on the District’s anonymous reporting system and what the District might do to improve bullying prevention.

Jay Forness covers education, county government and community events for The Cash-Book Journal. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in multimedia journalism and has lived in Jackson for the past five years. He can be reached at cbjedit@socket.net.

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