10/24/2026
October 24, 2026
Dear Lakeland R-III Families,
In the spirit of open communication, I want to share an update regarding state ratings for our schools. In the coming days or weeks, you may see something coming out in regards to letter grades for all public schools in Missouri. We want you to hear this from us, along with what it means and does not mean.
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 a pilot, meaning it is not final. It is the first year of a brand-new state system, based on test results from the 2024-25 school year, and the state is still finalizing how grades are calculated. Because this is a brand-new pilot system based on old assessment data, the state is still refining how calculations are made, and we expect the rating framework to evolve over time. While a single letter grade can never capture the full story of our students, classrooms, or community, we welcome accountability and want you to hear this news directly from us.
Accountability and transparency are important to those of us working at Lakeland R-III just as it is to our students, families, and community. Currently, DESE regularly evaluates us through the Annual Performance Report (APR) and the Missouri School Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP 6). I am concerned that adding another rating system, especially one that is still being refined, has the potential to create more confusion than clarity.
We knew there was work to do long before this A-F pilot. We know there is still work to do, and we will continue to work towards improvement. In the past year and a half, we have worked to implement training for elementary and secondary teachers in the science of reading and have implemented a new ELA curriculum, we have aligned our elementary and secondary math curriculum, we have taken time to analyze and understand the many types of data and information we have regarding our students and we have used it to drive instructional improvement.
Thanks to the hard work of our staff and students, our state assessment scores improved by an average of 5.7% from last year to this year. This growth shows that our efforts are moving us in the right direction. We plan to keep this momentum going and maintain a clear, aligned line of focus across all grade levels.
That being said, none of this, especially a state rating, can replace what you know as a parent about your child. You know their teachers, their classroom, and the progress they are making. You show up to conferences, communicate with their teachers, and monitor their progress. 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.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership with the school. We work every day to help each and every student grow and learn. We know that we have a lot of work to do as a school district AND we have a lot to be proud of - both can be true!
At the end of the day our greatest accountability is to the students, families, and community that we serve - not one letter grade. As the state releases more information we will continue to share what we learn about this pilot program, what it means, and what it doesn't mean.
With appreciation for your continued support and partnership,
Dr. Deanna Jurkowski
Superintendent
Lakeland R-III School District
