Kansas City School District Achieves Milestone in Accreditation Despite New Evaluation Challenges

Kansas City: Hickman Mills School District Reaches Full Accreditation Threshold Amid Changes in Evaluation Process

The Hickman Mills School District in Kansas City, Missouri, has recently achieved a significant milestone. According to new performance reports from the state, the district has scored above the threshold necessary for full accreditation. This marks the first time in over a decade that the district has reached this level. However, the district faces complications due to changes in the evaluation process by Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

What Happened?

This year, DESE’s performance reports revealed that Hickman Mills scored 72.7% in its Annual Performance Report (APR), which is higher than the 70% benchmark needed for full accreditation. Superintendent Yaw Obeng expressed pride in the district’s achievements despite the ongoing challenges. “We haven’t hit this number in, like, over a decade. So that’s an accomplishment. No one can take that away from us,” he stated.

Why Is Accreditation Important?

Accreditation impacts schools in various ways, particularly concerning public perception. Obeng noted that schools classified as partially accredited often face stigmas that can hinder student enrollment and overall community growth. The district had, in the past two years, experienced the highest mobility rate in the state, which he attributed to the lack of full accreditation.

What Has Changed in the Evaluation Process?

In a recent announcement, DESE officials revealed that the state will now combine this year’s scores with previous years to evaluate schools. The change was made in response to a need for more data before altering a district’s accreditation status. This means that while Hickman Mills achieved a score high enough to regain full accreditation, it will have to wait for the state to complete its review of composite scores over multiple years before any official changes can be recognized.

When Will Decisions Be Made?

DESE has indicated that it will not recommend changes to any school district’s accreditation status until at least 2025. During a press conference, officials clarified that the next evaluations would happen with scores from 2024 and that the board would not lower any classifications based on current scores until 2026.

What Are the Next Steps for Hickman Mills?

Despite feeling frustrated with this new approach, Superintendent Obeng and other district leaders are pushing for the state board to evaluate and accredit Hickman Mills during its meeting on December 3. The district has raised concerns regarding possible inaccuracies in their score, including discrepancies related to graduation rates and point totals achievable in assessments.

Broader Context

Hickman Mills lost full accreditation in 2012 and has since been working diligently to meet performance standards. Over the years, the pandemic has interrupted the district’s plans, but this latest scoring raises hopes for improvement and stability. Meanwhile, trends indicate that overall scores across Missouri are rising, with 86% of districts now meeting expectations.

Community Impact

Success in securing a higher accreditation status could benefit not just the district’s reputation but also community appeal, potentially leading to increased enrollment and reduced student transience. The district’s administration remains optimistic and actively seeks the state board’s support to solidify Hickman Mills’ status so the community can benefit from its hard work.

The path to full accreditation remains convoluted, but for Hickman Mills, recent scores represent a crucial step forward, one that local educators and families are hopeful will pave the way for enduring improvements in the district.