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Commissioner of Education, Dr. Chris L. Nicastro, issued the following statement today as a result of the grand jury decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Mike Brown:
“We urge everyone to join us in keeping the communities of North County in your thoughts and prayers. Moving forward, we will continue to provide support necessary to school districts in the area.”
Applications accepted through December 1
The deadline to nominate candidates for the Missouri Commissioner of Education position ends at the close of business today.
Department staff will contact all nominees, inform them of their nomination and invite them to apply. More than 40 names were submitted for nomination. Those interested in applying must complete an application packet by December 1. Candidates do not have to be nominated to apply.
Citing the Normandy Joint Executive Governing Board’s commitment to improving student performance and the need for greater clarity and improved communication, Peter Herschend, President of the State Board, has communicated the plan developed by the Department to delegate final authority for operational and governing decisions to the Joint Executive Governing Board and administration of the Normandy Schools Collaborative (NSC).
On Tuesday, the State Board of Education approved the Department’s updated Top 10 by 20 plan for fiscal year 2015.
The plan is updated annually with actions and targets that provide greater focus, consistency, integration and impact on the goals and strategies of the Top 10 by 20 initiative, a statewide improvement effort that aims for student achievement in Missouri to rank among the Top 10 performing states in education by 2020.
The State Board of Education approved an accountability plan for the Normandy Schools Collaborative during Tuesday’s State Board meeting.
The plan builds on the assets of Normandy students, parents, educators and other community members to help ensure students achieve continued academic growth.
“The Department and the Normandy Schools Collaborative have worked together to develop a solid plan designed to improve student achievement,” said Deputy Commissioner Margie Vandeven. “The focus is now on effective execution of the plan.”
Jessica Karll, a third grade teacher at Discovery Ridge Elementary School in O’Fallon, has been named the winner of a Milken Educator Award that includes an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000. Wentzville R-IV district officials called a surprise assembly for the announcement today at Discovery Ridge. Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley of the Milken Educator Awards made the presentation. Dr. Margie Vandeven, deputy commissioner of education, was on hand for the celebration and helped surprise Mrs. Karll.
The first of three public hearings on the progress of education standards work groups under HB 1490 is scheduled for Monday, October 27, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The hearing will be held in the State Board of Education meeting room on the first floor of the Jefferson Building, 205 Jefferson St., Jefferson City, Mo.
Missouri has received a one-year extension for flexibility from certain provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the U.S. Department of Education announced today. The extension runs through the 2014-15 school year.
“This is great news for Missouri and its school districts,” said Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro. “It is important that states direct their own accountability systems setting ambitious goals and focusing on continuous improvement.”
With strong support from across the state, Missouri submitted its application for the U.S. Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services Preschool Development Grant today. The grant would provide the state an opportunity to increase early childhood education throughout the state.