Plato R-V Schools

Dear Plato R-V families,

In the coming days or weeks, you may see something coming out in regard to letter grades for all public schools in Missouri. We want you to hear this directly from us, along with what it means.

About the Rating:

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is developing its first pilot A–F grades for public schools, created under an executive order Governor Mike Kehoe signed in January.

This grade is part of a pilot program, meaning it is not final. This is the first year of a brand-new state accountability system, based on test results from the 2024–2025 school year, and the state is still working to finalize how grades are calculated. We fully anticipate that the framework will evolve over time, and as changes are made, our grade may change as well. It is important to remember that this grade is only one measure of a school district's overall performance and success.

We have actively provided input to the state regarding the development of this system, including recommendations to simplify and improve the Annual Performance Report (APR) system already in place. However, it appears the state may move forward with implementing the A–F grading system alongside the existing APR (two systems that cannot be compared from year-to-year or with each other), rather than simplifying the current process. We have expressed concerns about the speed at which this new system was developed, the potential for confusion created by having three accountability measures (APR, MSIP6, A-F), the years in which they have started with, and the need to ensure that any grading system accurately reflects the work and success of our schools. We will continue to communicate those concerns and advocate for a fair, transparent, and meaningful accountability system.

We Are Accountable to You First:

You've told us what matters most to you in our schools, through surveys, meetings, and conversations. Those details are what have been used to develop our current school improvement plan (CSIP) that was just finalized.

You also deserve a full, current picture of how our students are doing at this moment in time. One way that we are trying to this is through our new public dashboard which can be found on our district webpage under District-Success Ready Student Network and click Interim Assessments.

But no state program can replace what you know as a parent about your child.

You know their teachers, their classroom, and the progress they are making. Our responsibility is to work alongside you to help your child meet their educational goals and achieve the best possible outcomes. Whether it’s an A–F grade or another measure from Jefferson City, that mission does not change and neither does our commitment to the local systems, relationships and priorities we have built to meet the needs of our students and families.

Public schools serve every student who walks through our doors, including children with very different needs, circumstances and starting points. That responsibility is fundamental to who we are, and it is one reason a single letter can never tell the whole story of a school or the educators who choose to serve there.

Thank you for your partnership. Our teachers and staff work every day to help each student grow, and we will keep you informed along the way.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bradley Cooper
Superintendent
Plato R-V School District

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