To fulfill the requirements of HB 1490, work groups are reviewing learning standards for Missouri students. The groups will meet September 22-23, October 2-3 and October 20-21 in Jefferson City.

Members of the groups were nominated by the governor, lieutenant governor, lawmakers, the Department of Higher Education and educator associations. The members include active classroom teachers and parents of school-age children, and they represent each geographic region of Missouri.

There are eight groups; two each for English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. One group in each subject will review standards for grades K-5, and the other will review standards for grades 6-12.

“We anticipate strong standards from these work groups,” said Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro. “Our children deserve nothing less as we strive to ensure that each Missouri child graduates college and career ready.”

College and career readiness is a primary goal of Missouri’s Top 10 by 20 initiative, which is intended to rank the state among the top ten states in education by 2020.

The meetings are open to the public; however, seating is very limited. Spectators will be provided comment cards if they wish to leave feedback. Only members of the work groups will be given the opportunity to speak during the meetings.

Three public hearings will be held during the development process to allow for additional comments from the public on the proposed standards. Those dates and times are to be determined.

The target date for the State Board of Education to adopt standards is October 2015. New assessments will be developed after that date. It is estimated that new assessments will take two years to develop.

Until any new standards go into effect, classrooms across the state will be using the current Missouri Learning Standards.