Missouri Learning Standards
About The Missouri Learning Standards
The Missouri Learning Standards define the knowledge and skills students need in each grade level and course for success in college, other post-secondary training and careers. These expectations are aligned to the Show-Me Standards, which define what all Missouri high school graduates should know and be able to do.
In January 1996, Missouri adopted the Show-Me Standards, a demanding set of content and process standards that have proved to be an excellent frame of reference for student performance in Missouri. Grade-level expectations (GLEs) were then developed to provide grade by grade targets for instruction for teachers. Those expectations were revised regularly based on teacher feedback and new research. As End-of-Course (EOC) assessments were developed at the high school level, Course-level expectations (CLEs) were created to provide teachers with course-specific objectives.
The latest iteration of expectations aligned with the Show-Me Standards are called the Missouri Learning Standards. The Missouri Learning Standards help ensure students learn basic and higher-order skills, including problem solving and critical thinking. The standards are relevant to the real world and reflect the knowledge and skills students need to achieve their goals. Learning outcomes improve when students, parents and teachers work together toward shared goals. The Missouri Learning Standards give school administrators, teachers, parents and students a road map for learning expectations in each grade and course.
The Missouri Learning Standards do not dictate curriculum. Local districts and schools make their own decisions about curriculum, instructional strategies, materials and textbooks.
Missouri Learning Standards
- English Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Personal Finance
- Computer Science
- Fine Arts
- Alternate
- Other Areas
- Archive
English Language Arts
Assessed Standards
The Revised standards, approved on April 19, 2016 are for implementation starting in the 2016-2017 academic year. They will be assessed beginning in the 2017-2018 school year.
English Language Arts - K-5: K-5 PDF | K-5 Word
English Language Arts - 6-12: 6-12 PDF | 6-12 Word
English Language Arts - K-12: K-12 Excel
Additional Resources
- English Language Arts Crosswalks: K-5 | 6-12
- Communication Arts Glossary
Mathematics
Assessed Standards
The Revised standards, approved on April 19, 2016 are for implementation beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year. They will be assessed beginning in the 2017-2018 school year.
Mathematics - K-5: K-5 PDF | K-5 Word
Mathematics - 6-12: 6-12 PDF | 6-12 Word
Mathematics - K-12: K-12 Excel
Additional Resources
Science
Assessed Standards
The MAP Grade-Level and End-of-Course assessments will be based on these standards beginning in the 2017-2018 school year via a Field Test. They will be assessed operationally beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.
Science - K-5: K-5 PDF
Science - 6-12: 6-12 PDF
Science - K-12: K-12 Excel
Additional Resources
- Science Crosswalks:
- Science Glossary
Social Studies
Current Standards
The standards, approved on April 19, 2016 are for implementation beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year. They will be assessed in Government and HS American History (optional) EOC assessments in a census field test in 2018-2019 and then in operational form beginning in 2019-2020.
Social Studies - K-5: K-5 PDF | K-5 Word
Social Studies - 6-12: 6-12 PDF | 6-12 Word
Social Studies - K-12: K-12 Excel (Updated 02.15.19)
Additional Resources
- Social Studies Crosswalks:
*Updated 5.30.18 - Social Studies Glossary
Personal Finance
In 2016 the State Board of Education authorized the organization of a workgroup to evaluate, and possibly make recommendations to modify or revise Personal Finance learning standards. These standards have not changed since 2006 when the State Board of Education revised graduation requirements for Missouri’s students to include one-half credit of Personal Finance. The new standards were approved during the September 2017 State Board meeting for implementation during the 2019-2020 school year.
- Personal Finance Course Level Expectations
- Personal Finance Course Level Expectations
- Personal Finance Crosswalk: 2016 Standards/2017 Standards/Coding
Additional Resources
Computer Science
On Tuesday, May 14, 2019, the Missouri State Board of Education approved new Computer Science Performance Standards for implementation during the 2019-2020 school year.
Computer Science Performance Standards: Word | PDF
Computer Science Performance Standards Guidance document on implementation: Word | PDF
Public Hearing Comments from February 19, 2019
Revised Missouri Arts Learning Standards
April 18, 2019
On Tuesday, April 16, 2019, the Missouri State Board of Education approved new Grade Level Expectations in music, visual art, theater, dance, and media arts.
Return to this page often for updates and notification of professional development opportunities in curriculum development and expectation implementation.
Missouri Show Me Standards (1996).
The standards serve as a blueprint from which local school districts may write challenging curriculum to help all students achieve. Printable version
NEW Missouri Learning Standards - Fine Arts (4/2019)
- Executive Summary Fine Arts Work Groups Grade-Level Expectations Revisions & Recommendations March 2019.
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Dance
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Media Arts
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Music
- Missouri Learning Standards – Music (Vertical Alignment): PDF
- Missouri Learning Standards – Music K-8(Scope by Grade Level): Excel NEW
- Missouri Learning Standards – Music Ensembles (Scope by Grade Level): Excel NEW
- Missouri Learning Standards – Music Harmonizing Instruments (Scope by Grade Level): Excel NEW
- Missouri Learning Standards – Music Technology (Scope by Grade Level): Excel NEW
- Missouri Learning Standards – Music Theory and Composition (Scope by Grade Level): Excel NEW
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Theater
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Visual Arts
- Glossary
- Implementation Guide
Crosswalks
Former Fine Arts Standards
Standards Review - Workgroup Process and Updates
If you have any questions about the previous Missouri Fine Arts Learning Expectations or the process of standards review and revision in Missouri, please contact Roger Kelley, Arts Education Director.
Roger Kelley | Arts Education Director | Office of College and Career Readiness
Phone: 573-751-9610 | Fax: 573-526-0812 | roger.kelley@dese.mo.gov
Alternate Assessment
Assessed Standards
The MAP-A assessments continue to be based on these standards.
- MAP Alternate Standards - ELA Essential Elements: HTML | Excel
- MAP Alternate Standards - Math Essential Elements: HTML | Excel
- MAP Alternate Standards - Science: PDF
Additional Resources
Non Assessed Standards
World Languages
Health/Physical Education
Health Education: PDF | Word | Excel
Physical Education: PDF | Word | Excel
School Counseling
Academic Development: PDF
Career Development: PDF
Personal and Social Development: PDF
Additional Resources
These archived standards are no longer being used for assessment purposes and should not be used for instructional purposes. They are for informational and historical purposes only.
English Language Arts
MLS 2015-17 - English Language Arts - Grades K-12: PDF | Word | Excel
GLE 2.0 - Communication Arts: PDF | Word | Excel
CLE - Communication Arts: PDF | Word | Excel
GLE 2.0 - Information and Communications Technology Literacy: PDF | Word
CLE - Information and Communications Technology Literacy: PDF | Word
Mathematics
MLS 2015-17 - Mathematics - Grades K-12: PDF | Word | Excel
GLE 2.0 - Mathematics: PDF | Word | Excel
CLE - Mathematics: PDF | Word | Excel
Science
MLS 2008-17
Science - Grades K-5: PDF | Word | Excel
Science - Grades 6-8: PDF | Word | Excel
Science - Biology: PDF | Word | Excel
Science - Other High School Courses: PDF | Word
Fine Arts
Music: PDF | Word | Excel
Theater: PDF | Word | Excel
Visual Arts: PDF | Word | Excel
Assessment Implementation Schedule
On Tuesday, May 17, 2016 the Missouri State Board of Education approved a schedule for implementing assessments aligned to the newly adopted expectations. Initial operational administration of new English language arts and mathematics assessments will take place in the 2017-2018 school year, followed by science in 2018-2019 (Field Testing to occur in 2017-2018 school year) and social studies in 2019-2020. Until new assessments are implemented as described, Grade-Level and End-of-Course assessments will remain unchanged and aligned to the previous MLS. The figure below illustrates the implementation schedule.
