LPS earns state’s Distinction in Performance Award for 10th consecutive year
Liberty Public Schools has once again earned Missouri’s prestigious Distinction in Performance Award for academic achievement and progress during the 2009-2010 school year. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has been awarding the Distinction in Performance designation since the 2001-2002 school year.
What makes this recent news more impressive is that out of 523 Missouri school districts, Liberty is one of only 32 to have earned this award each year since the program began. This accomplishment puts Liberty in the top six percent of school districts in our state. In the Kansas City metropolitan area, only the Liberty, Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, and Park Hill School Districts have won the award each of the 10 years it has been in existence.
"This recognition validates the good work that is occurring every day in our district on behalf of students," said LPS Superintendent Mike Brewer. "I am extremely proud to work with so many dedicated and hard working students, staff members, and parents."
The annual recognition is based on school districts’ performance on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP tests), ACT college-entrance test scores, attendance and dropout rates, and other measures of academic performance. To qualify for this state award, districts must meet at least 13 out of 14 performance standards.
Under the state’s accreditation process, school districts are formally evaluated once every five years, according to State Board of Education standards. The Distinction in Performance award is based on the same performance criteria that are included in the accreditation review process, but the award provides an annual confirmation and recognition of a district's consistent performance.
The Distinction in Performance Award is intended to provide an incentive for districts to focus on continuous improvement.
State education officials will formally recognize each of the award-winning school districts in the spring of 2011.
