Lawmakers honor Neelyville's APR score with resolution

Neelyville students and staff received recognition this week from the Missouri House of Representatives.

The district recently celebrated earning 100 percent on the 2018 Annual Performance Report for Missouri public schools.

Staff members on Friday accepted a resolution from Rep. Hardy Billington honoring the achievement. It was read Monday on the House floor and passed.

“The students and faculty at Neelyville have worked hard to achieve this distinction. They should be applauded and encouraged to continue their success,” Billington said. “I am proud of our region, and I am thankful to have the opportunity to highlight special accomplishments like this one.”

The resolution reports that it took everyone in the district, from staff to students, doing their job and working together as a team to reach this achievement.

It would not have been possible without the efforts of everyone involved, Superintendent Brad Hagood has also said.

The district has seen a steady climb in APR results in the last four years.

APR scores take into account school attendance, graduation rates and college and career readiness, among other standards.

Staff members have said the district will continue to work to improve student proficiency across all areas.

Testing starts in the first part of April for the next round of state assessment tests, a major component of the APR score, Hagood said.

“It’s great to reach that achievement, but we know it’s a difficult road to maintain that. As I always say, ‘Let’s be happy, but let’s not be satisfied,’” Hagood said.

The district is reviewing data from the previous year’s state tests, as well as the current year’s school work, to help identify areas where progress can be made, he said.