A Personal Note from Dr. McClard: Beyond Missouri’s New A–F Grades and Cameron’s Path Forward
Dear Cameron Families and Community,
As your new Superintendent, one of my highest priorities is keeping our community informed with honesty, clarity and perspective. In the coming days, you will likely see news coverage regarding the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) release of new pilot A–F grades for public schools across the state. Under a state executive order signed in January, the state rapidly constructed a brand-new rating formula using standardized test scores from the 2024–25 school year.
Rather than hear about our schools through news snippets, you deserve to hear directly from us. I want to share what these ratings mean, where this new state model falls short, and how we are moving Cameron R-I forward.
Understanding the System: Why a Single Letter Falls Short
While these results reflect notable strengths across our campuses, it is essential to understand what a pilot rating is and what it is not.
This system was created on an accelerated timeline, delaying the state’s established Annual Performance Report (APR). DESE is still revising how these grades are calculated, and we fully expect the state's formula to shift in the coming months.
More importantly, a single letter assigned by a state algorithm can never capture the true health, heart, or educational value of our schools. Standardized test scores offer only a narrow snapshot in time. They do not measure student character, individual growth, resilience, or the dedication of educators who meet every child where they are. Public schools serve every student who walks through our doors regardless of their starting point or background. That mission is fundamental to who we are, and it cannot be reduced to an algorithm. We have voiced our concerns directly to state leaders regarding the speed and methodology of this system, and we will continue to advocate for evaluation models that fairly serve our students.
Where We Are and Where We Are Headed
Our primary accountability is to you, our families and community not to a formula in Jefferson City. When we look at comprehensive measures of student learning, Cameron has much to celebrate:
Proven Growth: On our most recent Annual Performance Report (APR), Cameron earned a 91% overall score, driven by 100% of our students meeting state growth targets in English Language Arts and Mathematics. This demonstrates that when students are in our classrooms, our teachers excel at moving them forward.
A Well-Rounded Education: We offer robust opportunities in fine arts, athletics, student organizations, and career oriented programs that help students build practical, durable skills for college and career success.
Community Trust: Recent survey data reinforces that our families value safe, supportive learning environments, strong extracurricular programs, and clear pathways to postsecondary success.
We also know that excellence requires continuous effort. Moving forward, our administrative team and staff are sharply focused on:
Academic Growth: Accelerating proficiency in core subjects (English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies).
Culture & Climate: Elevating school culture through transparent communication, active student engagement, and proactive behavior support.
Real-World Readiness: Expanding hands-on, community-connected learning so every Cameron graduate leaves with a clear competitive advantage.
Shaping Cameron’s Next 5 Years
State test ratings do not define our goals; you do. In the coming months, we will begin developing our next Comprehensive Strategic Improvement Plan (CSIP), which will serve as our roadmap for the 2027–2028 school year and the five years that follow.
This plan will not be written behind closed doors. We will be reaching out through surveys, focus groups, and forums to gather your vision for our schools. Your insights will directly shape our district priorities, resource allocation, and educational programs.
No state rating can replace the every day Cameron R-I experience dedicated to the personal progress of your child. Whether under an A–F scale or whatever system state leaders adopt next, our commitment to our students, families, and community remains unchanged.
Thank you for your warm welcome to Cameron and for your continued partnership. I look forward to working alongside you as we build a bright future for Cameron R-I.
Sincerely,
Lance McClardSuperintendent
Cameron R-I School District