Thayer Schools Earn Distinction in Performance

A total of 319 Missouri school districts – 11 fewer than last year – have qualified for the state’s “Distinction in Performance” recognition, based on their academic achievement during the last school year (2008-09), state education officials announced today.   Thayer R-2 School District is proud to be among these top performing schools in the state. 

Of this year’s recipients, 266 are K-12 districts and 53 are K-8 districts. There are 523 public school districts in Missouri, enrolling a total of about 900,000 students.

The Distinction in Performance recognition is based on the 14 academic performance standards that are the basis of the state’s accreditation program for all school districts. The standards are based on scores from the state-mandated MAP tests, high school end-of-course exams, graduation rates, ACT scores, and other measures.

“To qualify for Distinction in Performance, a school district must be achieving at a high level or making consistent progress at all grade levels. School districts work hard to achieve this recognition,” said Stan Johnson, assistant commissioner for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

To qualify for the award this year, K-8 districts had to meet 6 out of 7 performance standards that apply to these districts, including all of those that are based on the results of the MAP tests. K-12 districts had to meet 13 of 14 standards, including all of the MAP-based measures.

Graduation Matters

Graduating from high school is as important now as ever and maybe more so.  Across the state graduation rates seem to be declining.  Students must understand that in today's society that a high school education is a must if they are to be successful.  Promoting this and imbedding it into minds of our youth is not only the schools role, but the community's as well. 

“Our ultimate goal is to help Missourians prepare themselves with the goals, education and skills they need to be competitive and prosperous throughout their careers,” said Michele Clark, a communications specialist at DESE and coordinator of the project. “Part of that effort involves convincing some young people of the critical importance of staying in school, graduating and preparing for what comes after high school.”

Thayer schools hope that everyone gets behind this movement and encourages a child to stay in school.  Click the link Graduation Matters to watch a video clip on the importance of staying in school or listen to KKountry 95 for the public service announcement, because graduation does matter.