Dear Greenfield R-IV Families and Community,
In the coming days and weeks, you may begin hearing about the release of letter grades assigned to public schools throughout Missouri. As this information becomes public, we want to take the opportunity to communicate directly with our Greenfield R-IV community. It is important that our families understand what these ratings represent, how they are being developed, what they can tell us about our schools, and, just as importantly, what they cannot tell us. Above all, we want to emphasize that a single letter grade does not define a student, a school, or an entire school district.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is preparing to introduce its first pilot A–F grading system for public schools, following an executive order signed by Governor Mike Kehoe in January. This is a new, preliminary system based on student assessment results from the 2024–2025 school year. Because this is the first year of implementation, the state is still establishing and refining the methodology used to determine each school's rating. These grades are considered pilot ratings, not permanent or final evaluations, and we anticipate that the process and criteria will evolve in the years ahead. As the system changes, school ratings may change as well. We have expressed concerns to state officials regarding the speed at which this framework was developed, and we will continue to advocate for a process that provides a fair and meaningful representation of public education.
We recognize that accountability is an essential part of providing a quality education. Student achievement, school performance, and opportunities for improvement should be measured and evaluated. However, meaningful accountability must be based on a fair, balanced, and comprehensive understanding of the many factors that contribute to a school's success. While a letter grade may communicate certain academic outcomes, it cannot capture the full educational experience or the many ways our schools positively impact students and families.
A rating cannot measure the relationships built between teachers and students, the confidence gained when a child overcomes a difficult challenge, or the perseverance demonstrated through individual growth. It cannot adequately reflect the commitment of our educators, the involvement of our families, or the countless opportunities students receive to explore their interests, develop their abilities, and prepare for their futures.
Every public school serves students with different backgrounds, abilities, circumstances, and educational needs. Each child enters the classroom with a unique starting point, and meaningful progress looks different for every student. Meeting those diverse needs is a fundamental responsibility of public education and an important part of what makes our schools valuable to the communities they serve. No single rating can fully account for that responsibility or tell the complete story of the students, staff, and families who make up a school district.
We also want our families to remember that no state-issued rating should outweigh what you see and experience firsthand as a parent. You know your child's teachers, the support they receive, the challenges they overcome, and the progress they make. Those experiences matter. Our responsibility is to work in partnership with you to help every student reach their individual goals, recognize their potential, and achieve the best possible outcomes.
Whether the state measures our schools through an A–F grade or another accountability system, our purpose remains unchanged. We will continue to focus on the students and families we serve, strengthen the relationships that make our schools successful, and prioritize the local programs, resources, and educational practices that best meet the needs of the Greenfield R-IV community. A state rating may provide one perspective, but it will never determine our mission, our values, or our commitment to our students.
Thank you for your continued trust, encouragement, and partnership. Our teachers and staff work diligently each day to help every student learn, grow, and succeed. We are proud of the dedication of our educators and grateful for the support our families and community provide. Together, we share an important responsibility and opportunity: preparing the next generation to become confident, capable, and contributing members of our communities.
One letter grade cannot define who we are or the work we do. Our students, our people, and our commitment to their future tell a much greater story.
Sincerely,
Chris Kell
Superintendent
Greenfield R-IV