Missouri Option Program

About the Missouri Option Program

The Missouri Option Program offers the opportunity to earn a high school diploma for students who are at least 17 years of age, enrolled in Missouri public or charter school, and at risk of dropping out or not graduating with their cohort group. Graduation through the Missouri Option Program is not dependent on credit attainment. The Missouri Option Program is an effective program to retain students, lower drop-out rates, and improve college and career readiness.\

The Missouri Option Program is competency-based and approved by the State Board of Education. The program utilizes a high school equivalency exam, currently the HiSET®, as content mastery for graduation purposes. Missouri Option students successfully passing the exam and completing all other program requirements are eligible to receive a high school diploma.

Updates on the Missouri Option Program are emailed to district and charter contacts and presented yearly at the Missouri Alternative Education Network (MAEN) Summer Conference.  For more information, contact the Missouri Option office at desemooption@dese.mo.gov or 573-751-3190.

Missouri Option Program Application and Renewal

Missouri public schools and charters planning to start a new Missouri Option Program may email a request to desemooption@dese.mo.gov. This request can be made at any time throughout the school year.

On a yearly basis, ongoing programs need to update their program contact information and acknowledge they will abide by the Missouri Option Program Assurance Standards. To access the Assurance Standards, log into DESE Applications and select Compliance Plans from the menu. Then select Missouri Option Program Assurance Standards from the document list.

For more information, contact the Missouri Option office at 573-751-3190.

Teacher Access to the HiSET Registration System

In order to access the HiSET® Student Registration System, a User ID is required. If you are a Missouri Option teacher, counselor, or administrator and will be registering students to test, please notify desemooption@dese.mo.gov for authorization.