Hickman Mills School District Pushes for Full Accreditation Amidst Ongoing Delays

Hickman Mills School District Frustrated Over Accreditation Delays

South Kansas City District Seeks to Change Status from Provisional to Full Accreditation

This week, the Hickman Mills School District in south Kansas City shared its growing frustrations regarding the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP 6). The desire for this district to upgrade its status from provisional to full accreditation is palpable, but recent changes to the accreditation process have left officials feeling stuck.

The state board made significant adjustments earlier this year that could mean Hickman Mills remains in its current provisional classification until 2026—unless the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Missouri School Board of Education take action. The alterations to MSIP 6 now mean that the classification will be based on an average composite score calculated from three years of Annual Performance Report (APR) data. This leaves the district in a bit of a tricky situation when it comes to its future classification.

New Data Release Delayed, but Progress is Clear

Just this past Thursday, DESE announced a delay in releasing the latest APR data for schools across Missouri. While the district awaits this data, they have some preliminary insights that suggest their hard work is paying off. Superintendent Yaw Obeng stated, “We made the grade,” echoing the sentiment that Hickman Mills is witnessing substantial growth in student achievement.

In an open letter addressed to the state educational authorities, both Obeng and school board President Irene Kendrick made a call to action. They urged Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger to review the district’s progress and recommend full accreditation to the state board, highlighting the significant improvements Hickman Mills has made over the past few years.

Learning from Peers

The letter also referenced Kansas City Public Schools’ successful path to regaining full accreditation two years ago. The alternative processes used back then could serve as a potential model for Hickman Mills. Many factors contributed to KCPS’s success, including stable leadership, strategic planning, and improved graduation rates. With Hickman Mills boasting similar advancements in academic performance, including significant rises in graduation rates, the time feels right for a reevaluation.

A Call for Fair Recognition

In the correspondence sent to DESE, Obeng and Kendrick advocated for the state to take either the MSIP 6 framework or an alternative model for review to recognize Hickman Mills’ achievements. “Our students, staff, and families deserve recognition for their hard work and perseverance,” they wrote. They emphasized that full accreditation would not just signify accomplishment but would also enhance community pride and opportunities for students.

A Decade in Limbo

It’s been over ten long years since Hickman Mills was fully accredited. Currently, the district has an APR score of 62.5, with state data revealing that they performed at or above the average in various categories, excluding math. Obeng, who has been at the helm for five years, noted that although progress has been made, the district still finds itself in a sort of limbo due to inconsistent criteria changes for accreditation.

“It feels like we keep ‘moving the goalpost’,” Obeng lamented, highlighting the frustration over changing standards that complicate efforts for reaccreditation. This ongoing struggle is not just about numbers; it’s genuinely impacting the students and community. Full accreditation for Hickman Mills would mean that, for the first time in nearly two decades, all districts in the metropolitan Kansas City area would be fully accredited.

Paving the Path Ahead

The implications of such a change are significant, not only for the district but for the entire Kansas City community. Board President Kendrick aptly pointed out, “Full accreditation isn’t just about meeting state standards — it’s about creating opportunities for our students and building community pride.”

The hard work and determination of Hickman Mills students and educators deserve recognition. As they look toward the future, the hope is that DESE will consider their recent strides and provide the chance for Hickman Mills to finally graduate to full accreditation. Will Missouri’s education leaders give them that opportunity? Only time will tell.