In recent years, state evaluation of public education has been a challenge for schools.
With the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) standards continually evolving, it seems as soon as districts get close to adapting to a formula, the ball is punched out of their hands like the Chiefs’ L’Jarius Sneed stealing a touchdown from the Ravens’ Zay Flowers in Sunday’s AFC Championship.
The MSIP was established in 1990 and is now in its sixth iteration, in its first year and being phased in over a period of three years. MSIP6 replaced MSIP5 (established in 2015) this school year, adding scores in the Annual Performance Report (APR) for continuous improvement to account for 30 percent of the overall total alongside the 70 percent weight on performance, determined by the standardized Missouri Assessment Program annual testing.
The change resulted in a wave of disappointment for many school districts — 70 percent statewide — which saw a lower score in 2022-2023 than the previous year.
One of those districts was Purdy. Its score in 2022 was 70.3 percent, dragged down by the new English and math “growth” categories measuring continuous improvement.
Deeming the grade too low, Superintendent Travis Graham and the Purdy Board of Education sprung into action, and they deserve a massive pat on the back for what they have been able to accomplish.
Of the seven school districts in Barry County — Cassville, Exeter, Southwest, Wheaton, Purdy, Monett and Shell Knob (K-8) — Purdy was one of only three to improve its score from 2022 to 2023, and in the most dramatic fashion.
Adding 10.2 percent to get an 80.5, Purdy is the highest ranked of all seven schools, with Monett coming in just 0.3 percent behind.
For comparison, Cassville went from 76.8 to 73.7; Exeter gained from 65.5 to 69.7; Southwest also gained, from 69.8 to 72.6; Wheaton fell from 72.8 to 69.1; Monett dropped from 85.8 to 80.2; and Shell Knob also fell, from 81.3 to 77.1.
With four districts seeing dips, what propelled Purdy to the top spot? Effort.
Graham and the board had, as Graham put it, “Very transparent discussions” on deficiencies and mulled proper approaches to turn them into strengths.
They poured over curriculum, putting a premium on English and math to make sure to teach the right things at the right times and provide instruction that would stick.
They adapted new approaches in the classroom, implementing small group sessions to further connect with students and ensure the material being taught was truly being learned.
Graham may have even exasperated some of his cohorts by adopting the mantra, “Is it good for kids?”
It’s a phrase I have heard outgoing Cassville Intermediate School Principal Jeff Swadley, a Purdy native, use countless times when assessing an approach.
As simple as it may sound, it worked. Purdy more than doubled its score in English and math growth, lifting their designation in all four of those subject’s categories.
In a time when many scores have stagnated or dropped, a 10 percent jump is cause for kudos.
Looking ahead, Graham is hoping the changes in curriculum and instruction that affected growth scores will translate to equitable improvements in performance scores.
Maintaining growth and improving performance is the next step in the APR success, and ranked 177th in the state, Graham has set the goal for Purdy to crack the top 100.
All our local schools plan for the future using the Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP), which is crafted by each district through input of administrators, teachers and community members. Each of our Barry County districts spends copious time building this plan with the end goal of APR scores going up.
As the MSIP6 progresses and districts keep honing their CSIPs, I hope to see other Barry County districts find success in the same fashion as Purdy.
Not many of us are judged in our job or industry with as stringent of standards as public education, and because of its importance for the future, public education should be held to a high standard.
I hope as schools continue to carry the ball toward touchdowns in points there’s not a Sneed at the state taking the ball out of their hands.
P.S. Metaphors aside, kudos go to Sneed and backup safety Deon Bush for creating the turnovers Sunday to secure another AFC title and Super Bowl appearance for the Chiefs, the fourth in five years. What a time to be a Chiefs fan!
Kyle Troutman has served as the editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014 and became Publisher in 2023. He was named William E. James/Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist for daily newspapers in 2017, and he won a Golden Dozen Award from ISWINE in 2022. He may be reached at 417-847-2610 or ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com.
