Webster Groves board adopts resolution raising concerns about Missouri's A'through'F school reporting plan

The Webster Groves School District board voted on Sept. 24 to approve a resolution expressing concern about Missouri's newly proposed A'through'F school'grading framework, following a two'hour presentation and discussion with staff.

Dr. Adams, who led the district'level briefing, told the board the framework includes a literacy designation based on Lexile scores and a "growth to proficiency" metric that would judge whether students below proficiency are on track to reach proficiency within three years. "This turns that 1st grade and 2nd grade testing situation into a high stakes testing situation," Dr. Adams said, warning that using early literacy snapshots to generate a public letter grade could affect classroom climate.

Board members and staff pressed for technical details the state has not yet released, including exact cutoffs, how district and school letter grades will be aggregated, and whether the state will provide additional funding. One board member criticized the plan as political messaging: "It's a marketing scheme," they said, arguing the new scale could change targets statewide when 65% of districts reach A/B levels.

The resolution before the board was developed collaboratively by representatives of the board, district administration and the Webster Groves NEA, the superintendent said; it urges the state to clarify measures, account for student needs and avoid unintended consequences. The motion to adopt the resolution was moved, seconded and the president declared the resolution passed.

What happens next: the district intends to share its concerns with DESE and the State Board and continue to seek clarification on implementation, timelines and whether additional resources will accompany the new requirements.