Chris Nicastro

Normandy School District loses accreditation

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:31:05 +0000

The Missouri Board of Education has voted unanimously to strip the accreditation from another St. Louis-area school district.

Normandy schools had been under provisional accreditation for the past year, but had been “on thin ice,” in the words of State Board Member Peter Herschend (R, Branson). He says the district has again failed to meet the minimum nine out of 14 performance standards required for accreditation.

“If you look at the academic results in all of the core content areas, save one, they are at the bottom end of attainment," Herschend said. "Do I think that’s significant? You’re damn right I think that’s significant!”

Morning headlines: Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Julie Bierach, Marshall Griffin and The Associated Press — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:20:35 +0000

MAP scores released

The St. Louis school district could be a year away from regaining partial accreditation. Missouri's Annual Performance Reports, or MAP scores, have been released today. They show that St. Louis city schools have met seven standards, including one academic standard.

Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro says they're looking for sustained improvement over time.

Missouri gets approval to leave No Child Left Behind, behind

Rachel Lippmann and Joseph Leahy — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:36:25 +0000

The US Department of Education is waiving all No Child Left Behind requirements for Missouri schools.

The federal law requires students to meet proficiency standards in reading and math by 2014. Missouri applied for a waiver after roughly 18 percent of districts in the state failed to meet yearly academic goals.

Kansas City schools lose accreditation

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:40:36 +0000

Missouri’s State Board of Education voted unanimously today to strip Kansas City schools of their accreditation.

The reasons for the action include a decline in meeting academic standards and a failure to provide a safe and orderly environment for learning. Chris Nicastro is Commissioner of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Mo. education leader rates 2011 session

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 18 May 2011 22:25:41 +0000

Missouri’s top K-12 education official is giving lawmakers mixed grades on the just-completed legislative session.