Summary:
The city of Cardwell, Missouri is home to two public schools: Southland Elementary and Southland High, both part of the Southland C-9 school district. The data reveals that these schools are struggling, with consistently low academic performance, high chronic absenteeism, and low graduation rates.
Both Southland Elementary and Southland High have significantly lower proficiency rates on standardized tests compared to the state averages. For example, in 2024-2025, only 5% of 4th graders at Southland Elementary were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 44.8%. This pattern of low test scores has persisted over the past few years, indicating a deep-rooted challenge. Additionally, the schools have high chronic absenteeism rates, at 24.3% for the 2023-2024 school year, which can negatively impact student learning and performance.
Further, Southland High has a 4-year graduation rate of 73.3% for the 2023-2024 school year, well below the state average. This suggests that many students are struggling to complete their high school education. Despite the relatively high per-student spending at both schools, the data shows that the additional funding has not translated into improved academic outcomes. Addressing the underlying issues, which may include socioeconomic factors, will require a comprehensive and targeted approach to improve the educational opportunities for students in Cardwell.
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