Kansas City Public Schools could restore full accreditation for first time in 10 years
For the first time in a decade, the Kansas City Public Schools system could soon become fully accredited by the Missouri Board of Education.
A measure to restore the district’s status is scheduled to be considered by the state education board during a meeting Tuesday. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which evaluates schools statewide, is recommending to the board that the designation be restored.
Kansas City Public Schools spokeswoman Kelly Wachel said the district is eager for the conversation to take place, and plans to share more once a decision is made.
“This is a promising time for KCPS,” Wachel said in a statement.
KCPS is currently classified as a provisionally accredited school district. It first lost accreditation in 2000, the first district in the nation to lose that status, which was restored in 2002. The state board unanimously decided to withdraw the district’s accreditation status again in 2011.
For years, district officials have sought to resolve issues cited by state education leaders, including concerns about district leadership and academic performance. And earlier this year, the Council of the Great City Schools, a powerful national urban education coalition, concluded KCPS is “worthy of a fully accredited district.”
Missouri requires a district that has lost accreditation to meet certain performance measures and maintain or improve on them for at least two consecutive years before it considers bumping up its status. Statewide assessments were canceled in the 2019-2020 school year. But a presentation being given to the state board next week references the district’s performance in areas of math, science, social studies and language arts.
District officials have pointed to the lack of full accreditation as a roadblock to changing the perception that KCPS is a troubled school system. Over the past 10 years the district has struggled with its attendance and student achievement.
This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 7:09 PM.
