10/20/2026
Dear Northeast Vernon County R-1 Families,
In the coming days or weeks, you may see an announcement regarding letter grades for all public schools in Missouri. We want you to hear directly from us and understand what this means.
About the Rating
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is developing its first pilot A–F grading system for public schools, established through an executive order signed by Governor Mike Kehoe in January.
This grade is part of a pilot program and is not final. This is the first year of a 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 anticipate that the framework will evolve over time, and our grade may change as adjustments are made. 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 existing Annual Performance Report (APR). However, it appears the state may move forward with implementing the A–F grading system alongside the current APR rather than simplifying the process. These systems cannot be directly compared from year to year or with one another.
We have expressed concerns about the speed of the system’s development, the potential confusion created by having three accountability measures (APR, MSIP6, and A–F), the years used as starting points, and the need to ensure any grading system accurately reflects the work and success of our schools. We will continue to communicate these concerns and advocate for a fair, transparent, and meaningful accountability system.
We Are Accountable to You First
Through surveys, meetings, and conversations, you have shared what matters most to you in our schools. We used your feedback to develop our current Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP), which the Board approved in January 2026.
You also deserve an accurate, current picture of how our students are doing. However, no state program can replace what you know about your child as a parent.
You know your child’s teachers, classroom, and progress. Our responsibility is to work alongside you to help your child meet educational goals and achieve the best possible outcomes. Whether it is an A–F grade or another measure from Jefferson City, our mission remains unchanged, as 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 different needs, circumstances, and starting points. That responsibility is fundamental to who we are and is one reason a single letter can never tell the whole story of a school or the educators who serve there.
Thank you for your partnership. Our teachers and staff work every day to help each student grow, and we will continue to keep you informed along the way.
Thank you,
Christy Jones
Superintendent
