We extend our congratulations to Lindbergh Schools and the Mehlville School District for earning the prestigious Distinction in Performance Award from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Of the state’s more than 520 school districts, 319 districts — 11 fewer than last year — qualified for Distinction in Performance recognition based on their academic achievement during the 2008-2009 school year, ac-cording DESE officials.

Distinction in Performance recognition is based on the 14 academic performance standards that are the basis of the state’s accreditation program for all school districts.

The standards are based on scores from state-mandated Missouri Assessment Program tests, high school end-of-course exams, graduation rates, ACT scores and other measures.

To qualify for the Distinction in Performance Award this year, K-12 districts had to meet 13 of 14 standards, including all of the MAP-based measures.

Both Lindbergh Schools and the Mehlville School District met all 14 standards, according to DESE.

“To qualify for Distinction in Performance, a school district must be achieving at a high level or making consistent progress at all grade levels. School districts work hard to achieve this recognition,” Stan Johnson, DESE assistant commissioner, stated in a news release.

Lindbergh has received Distinction in Performance recognition every year since the award’s inception, which means this year’s honor is the ninth consecutive one for the school district.

This marks the fourth consecutive year Mehlville has received the honor and the sixth time in the past eight years that the district has achieved recognition for Distinction in Performance.

Earning the Distinction in Performance recognition is quite an honor for both Lindbergh Schools and the Mehlville School District.

We believe the employees of both school districts — particularly teachers — should be commended for their outstanding efforts.

Students in both districts also should be applauded for their hard work as evidenced by their outstanding academic achievements.

Once again, we extend our sincere congratulations to Lindbergh Schools and the Mehlville School District for receiving the state’s Distinction in Performance Award.