'Complete Report Card" gives families a better picture of student success
Principal Dr. Randy Oliver says the district developed the report card to provide a more comprehensive picture of student achievement.
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JOPLIN, MO - Joplin Schools is taking a broader approach to measuring educational success, creating a new "Complete Report Card" designed to show families more than test scores and letter grades.
Joplin High School Principal Dr. Randy Oliver told KZRG Radio the district developed the report card to provide a more comprehensive picture of student achievement, academic growth and the opportunities available to students from kindergarten through high school graduation.
Oliver said the state's A-to-F Missouri School Improvement Plan (MSIP) school grading system, established under an executive order by Gov. Mike Kehoe, places a heavy emphasis on standardized test scores and can oversimplify what makes a school successful.
"We're all about accountability," Oliver said. "But we want it to be an opportunity that brings together the academic achievements, growth and opportunities that define a Joplin Schools education."
Rather than focusing on a student's performance on a single test, the district's report card examines progress over time, the quality of educational programs and the experiences that help prepare students for life after graduation.
The report highlights rigorous academic coursework, career and technical education, arts, athletics and extracurricular activities, offering parents a more complete understanding of what Joplin Schools provides.
Oliver said the district recognizes the importance of the state's grading system but believes school quality cannot be fully measured by a single letter grade.
"We just wanted to give a snapshot of what it means to have a Joplin Schools education," he said.
The report card was developed by an in-house committee that included teachers, administrators, district leaders, students and community members.
The effort grew out of an idea from Superintendent Dr. Kerry Sachetta to supplement the state's report card with a more comprehensive look at the district's schools and programs.
Among the areas Oliver said deserve particular attention are the district's culture of learning and student growth.
The Culture of Learning category examines the environment schools create for students, including learning support, safety and a sense of belonging.
Growth in Learning focuses on how students advance through the curriculum and prepare for the next stage of their education. Oliver said the district works to meet students where they are academically and help them progress, while providing pathways suited to their plans after high school.
"The goal," Dr. Oliver said, "is to help graduates leave school with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed, whether they continue their education or enter the workforce."
The report card also illustrates progress in graduation rates. According to Oliver, 97% of students eligible to graduate in the class of 2026 earned their diplomas. He said the district's graduation rate was approximately 82% to 84% four years earlier, when he began his tenure.
The district also offers approximately 80 to 82 dual-credit course options, Oliver said, with opportunities to expand those offerings. A new Advanced Placement course is planned for the coming school year.
Joplin Schools intends to update its Complete Report Card annually to reflect changes in graduation rates, course offerings and other measures of student achievement and opportunity.
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