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USD 456 is pleased to share the following announcement from the Kansas State School Board and Randy Watson, Commissioner of Education for the Kansas Department of Education!


We are excited to share the results of the 2021 Star Recognition Awards Program! 

This program recognizes the exceptional work Kansas districts are doing to reach the state’s vision for education - Kansas leads the world in the success of each student. Districts that earn recognition through this program are setting the standard for the rest of the state to follow. 

On behalf of the State Board of Education and the Kansas State Department of Education, we are pleased to present USD 456 Marais Des Cygnes Valley the following recognition for 2021: Copper Award - Academically Prepared for High School Graduation.

Congratulations to everyone at USD 456 Marais Des Cygnes Valley for their exceptional work toward achieving the state board’s vision for Kansas education.

We wish you continued success.

Sincerely,

Dr. Randy Watson - Kansas Commissioner of Education

Dr. Jim Porter - Chair, Kansas State Board of Education


The Kansas State Board of Education defines a successful high school graduate as having the academic preparation, cognitive preparation, technical skills, employability skills and civic engagement to be successful in postsecondary education, in the attainment of an industry recognized certification or in the workforce, without the need for remediation.

The Academically Prepared for High School Graduation Award is to recognize those districts whose students are scoring above the state average in Levels 3 and 4 on state assessments.

Level 3 shows an effective ability to understand and use the skills and knowledge needed for postsecondary academic readiness. Level 4 shows an excellent ability to understand and use the skills and knowledge needed for postsecondary academic readiness.

Districts are recognized annually for the percent of all students, across all grade levels scoring at levels 3 and 4 on Kansas state assessments in math, language arts and science. It is the combination of all grades in all three assessed subjects. To be eligible for this recognition, districts must maintain annually a 95 percent participation rate in all three assessment areas.

For the Copper Award, school districts must have scored above the state average up to 49.9% of students combined scoring for all three assessed subjects. For the 2021 state assessments, the state average for all three assessed subjects was 32.53%, while the district average for all three assessed subjects was 32.85%. That is a 1.5% increase from the 2019 state assessments, which was 31.35% for all three assessed subjects, moving towards the district goal of at least 50% of students achieving levels 3 and 4 on state assessments. 

Congratulations USD 456 - Marais des Cygnes Valley!