Missouri high school seniors Rahul Kanna (Lafayette High School; Rockwood R-VI) and Jordan Tierney (Visitation Academy) were selected as members of the 56^th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars. A total of 161 students from across the country were recognized for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.

A Missouri public school district, along with two additional schools, earned recognition from the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools program on Wednesday for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure sustainability education.

The 2020 honorees in Missouri include:

The Missouri National Guard and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) are working together to assist local Missouri schools in feeding the students in their communities who rely on school meals each day. Nearly 200 members of the National Guard will assist the communities listed below distribute and/or deliver food to students for the next several weeks. The locations receiving assistance from the National Guard chose to participate in this partnership for a variety of reasons.

Seven individuals were recognized as recipients of Missouri’s 2020 Breaking Traditions awards. The Breaking Traditions awards honor students, educators and employers for their achievements related to nontraditional career paths. This year’s honorees were selected from a pool of 40 applicants, representing 25 Missouri high schools, career centers and community colleges.

The 2020 awards and recipients are as follows:

Five public hearings on vocational rehabilitation services will take place throughout the state in March. The hearings will be conducted by Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation (MVR) to gain feedback on ways to improve services for individuals with disabilities. Input is welcome regarding MVR’s goals and priorities found in the current state plan.

Public Hearing Schedule

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards bestowed top honors to two Missouri students for their exceptional acts of volunteerism in their local communities.

Missouri’s 2020 youth volunteer awardees are:

The State Board of Education approved Standards for the sixth iteration of the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) on Tuesday. As the state’s accountability system for reviewing and accrediting public school districts, MSIP has served as the state’s mechanism for promoting continuous improvement in schools since 1990 and has long been the driver of high expectations for academics.

Results from the latest Annual Performance Reports for Educator Preparation Programs (APR-EPPs) have been released to provide information about Educator Preparation Programs to the public, particularly to those pursuing a career in teaching or an advanced degree in education. The APR-EPPs can help those individuals better determine the preparation program in Missouri that’s best suited for them.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announces Dr. Tracy Hinds as the new deputy commissioner of the Division of Learning Services. She will assume this position on June 29, 2020. Dr. Hinds has served as the English language arts and social studies coordinator at the University City School District since 2016.

New data released shows 12.6 percent of Missouri’s 2019 graduates scored a 3 or better on their Advanced Placement (AP) exams, up from 12.2 percent in 2018 and seven percent in 2009. AP exam participation has also increased. Just over 21 percent of Missouri‘s 2019 graduates took AP classes in high school, up from 12 percent in 2009.