State board restores accreditation for St. Louis schools

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Missouri Board of Education restored full accreditation to St. Louis city schools on Tuesday, citing a significant turnaround in the decade since poor academic and financial performance forced the state to seize control.

Assistant education commissioner Chris Neale told board members at a meeting in Jefferson City that the district "has been on a significant upward trend," improving in virtually every category — test scores, graduation rates, attendance and financial performance.

Another state board member, Michael Jones of St. Louis, said Adams and members of the SAB deserve credit for the turnaround, as do teachers, staff and students, the latter of which he called the "unsung heroes."