Following lower-than-expected academic performance results, the Excelsior Springs School District implemented a 90-day improvement plan designed to strengthen instruction and better support student achievement.

Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services Dr. Melissa Miller provided the Board of Education with an update on the initiative during a recent meeting, noting the plan was developed after the district received its annual performance report (APR) results midway through the school year.

Miller explained the district received its APR results more than one-third of the way through the school year, leaving limited time to respond before students completed state assessments again.

“I stopped everything I was doing, worked two weeks straight and came up with this 90-day plan to try to get the biggest bang for our buck before the kids had to reassess for that year,” said Miller.

The plan centered on four primary goals: improving assessment practices, strengthening Professional Learning C…