MSIP 5 Adds ACT WorkKeys®

In support of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s goal that all students graduate ready for college and career, the Department has announced ACT WorkKeys® as an additional academic measure that districts and charter schools can use to gauge students’ proficiency as they graduate from high school. This assessment is focused on the practical application of literacy, mathematics, and the ability to efficiently access information.

Eight Missouri students are being honored as semifinalists in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program for their outstanding academic achievement. The semifinalists are:

Bill Gerling, director of social studies and personal finance curriculum with the Office of College and Career Readiness, has received the E.A. Richter Award & the Dr. Warren H. Solomon Award. The awards, presented in a ceremony at The Missouri Bar in Jefferson City, recognize Mr. Gerling’s devotion to student citizenship education.

“Teaching students to be good citizens is a vital component of their education,” said Deputy Commissioner Margie Vandeven. “Congratulations to Bill on this recognition from The Missouri Bar.”

Nine Missourians were honored Thursday as state winners of the 2014 Missouri Breaking Traditions Awards. The awards were presented during a ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City.

The Breaking Traditions Awards honor students, educators and employers for their achievements related to nontraditional careers.

Training is aimed at raising student achievement in the state

More than 300 superintendents, principals, assistant principals and teacher leaders from across Missouri have participated in the first two rounds of effective-leadership training provided by the Missouri Leadership for Excellence, Achievement and Development (MoLEAD) program. The Department presented an update on the training to the State Board of Education on Tuesday.

The State Board of Education has adopted the Department’s recommendation for the continued operation of the St. Louis Public Schools as a transitional district. The term of the transitional district was set to expire in June; however, it will now expire on June 30, 2016.

“Maintaining stable leadership is critical for St. Louis schools and is in the best interests of students,” said Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro. “The Department supports the district’s efforts to improve as it strives toward renewed accreditation.”

The Department has recognized eight high-achieving public schools as Gold Star Schools. The Gold Star Schools program is designed to identify schools that are performing at a high academic level or who are performing at a high level while serving a significant proportion of disadvantaged students.

The 2014 recipients are:

The NAACP Missouri State Conference has issued a resolution in support of the Common Core State Standards. The resolution also states support for the Department’s efforts to raise standards in Missouri and provide assistance to school districts and teachers as they implement these standards.

The NAACP resolution pledges to work in collaboration with parents, the Department, and other education and business organizations in the state to show unified support for the Common Core across generations, political lines and school districts.

The education community came together in a strong show of support for the standards

At its March meeting, the State Board of Education approved a Department plan for supporting and, if necessary, intervening in school districts in Missouri.