Missouri approves new A-F grading system for public schools

The Missouri State Board of Education has approved a new A-F School and District Grading Framework. Ordered by Governor Mike Kehoe, the system will assign letter grades to public schools and districts based on academic achievement, student growth, graduation rates, and college or career readiness.

To ensure accuracy, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will pilot the framework using 2024-25 school data before grades are released to the public. During the approval process, school leaders expressed concerns regarding how poverty might influence scores, though officials stated that growth measures are designed to credit academic improvement regardless of a student’s economic background.

In response to the state-level changes, Joplin Schools has launched its own ‘Complete Report Card.’ This local initiative aims to provide a more comprehensive view of district performance by combining academic data with metrics such as school safety, special education, arts, athletics, and parent satisfaction surveys.