The Department has chosen Chris Neale, Ed.D., to fill the recently vacated position of assistant commissioner for the Office of Quality Schools. Dr. Neale will assume his new duties on July 1, 2015.

Thirty school leaders from the Kansas City area will receive leadership training later this year through the Missouri Leadership for Excellence, Achievement and Development (MoLEAD) program.

The Edward Swinney Trust Grant will provide selected educators from the Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City (CSDGKC) the opportunity to participate in the 26-day training program that works to enhance leadership skills among school leaders.

The Department has chosen two candidates to fill recently vacated positions within its executive leadership. Stacey Preis, Ph.D., has been named Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Learning Services, and William (Bill) Thornton has been chosen as general counsel.

Recent Improvement Efforts Highlighted

The State Board of Education received updates from unaccredited and provisionally accredited districts during Tuesday’s State Board meeting.

The reports from Jennings, Hickman Mills C-1 and Riverview Gardens focused on the development and implementation of each district’s improvement plan. The presentations included strategies and interventions, as well as goals and targets for academic performance as each district strives to achieve full accreditation.

High school juniors and seniors earn class credit and gain first-hand experience working with real businesses through programs such as Pathways for Prosperity and Northland Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS). The State Board heard a report on the programs at its January meeting.

At its January meeting, the State Board of Education approved achievement level cut scores for the spring 2015 English language arts and mathematics portions of the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) for grades 3-8. The scores were determined through an inclusive process that involved teachers, parents, higher education faculty, business leaders and other community members in member states of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium.

Following interviews with five finalists, the State Board of Education voted unanimously to select Dr. Margaret Vandeven as the next Commissioner of Education, effective January 1, 2015.

“We believe in the positive impact of the Top 10 by 20 plan on Missouri’s children,” said State Board President Peter Herschend. “We strongly believe that Dr. Margie Vandeven is the right person to accomplish the goals of the plan.”

Following its December meeting, the State Board of Education invited five finalists to interview for Missouri Commissioner of Education. Board members met in executive session on Friday, December 5, and reviewed 12 applications for the position.

"The State Board members are looking for the person who can make Missouri a top 10 state for education by 2020," said Board President Peter Herschend. "We believe we have a strong list of finalists, and we will find the right person to lead us there."

Department staff is saddened to report the death of a contracted medical consultant in south St. Louis County. Dr. Terry Dunn was killed in the parking lot of his office at Lindbergh and Lemay Ferry at about 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning. 

Police have a suspect in custody, and they do not believe the public or Department staff is at risk. Staff members are assisting police in their investigation and will continue to help detectives in the case. 

New exams replaced Praxis in September

As Missouri continues its work to prepare effective educators, the State Board of Education voted to approve initial qualifying scores for the Missouri Content Assessments during Thursday’s State Board of Education meeting.