Columbia Board of Education reviews DESE’s annual performance report

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Board of Education reviewed the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Annual Performance report at its meeting Monday night.

Columbia Public Schools received a 70% score on this year's state education report card.

"It includes the general performance of the district around the number of times including math, attendance, and others," Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood.

CPS spokesperson Michelle Baumstark said the district was among the top 20% for the state's English/language arts growth, however, math continues to be an area of concern for the district.

"We have to work on our ICAP," Yearwood said. "Math is an area of concern that was directly and significantly impacted by COVID and the sub-group population has been disproportionately impacted this is not just a local issue this is an international issue.

Last year, attendance had a low score, also in the 70s. Baumstark said the district is already implementing plans and reinstituting pre-COVID attendance procedures.

Yearwood said the District will continue to work on improving in the areas where the district is struggling and will try to maintain its scores in the areas where they are exceeding.

"I can assure you that this time next year, well my team said to not make any promises, I don't want to jinx it, but watch out," Yearwood said.

The report led to the curriculum audit review. The audit review was used to create action steps and strategies for the revised APR scoring.