State Board Reclassifies St. Louis Public Schools as Provisionally Accredited
The State Board of Education approved a recommendation to reclassify the St. Louis Public School (SLPS) District as provisionally accredited under the 4th Cycle of the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP). Department of Elementary and Secondary Education staff recommended provisional accreditation after a thorough analysis of multiple years of data and indications of district-wide improvements over the past five years. Read more

Missouri Organizations Receive National Recognition for School Improvement Efforts
Two community organizations in Missouri were named "Together for Tomorrow School Improvement Challenge" winners last month for their work in helping to support local school improvement efforts. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri (BBBSEMO), St. Louis, and the Bright Futures program through Joplin Schools were among 24 organizations nationwide to be named winners by the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the U.S. Department of Education and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Read more

"Lights on Afterschool" a Success

A record breaking one million Americans participated in 9,000 registered events held nationwide in support of "Lights on Afterschool" Day on Oct. 18. This day recognizes the importance of afterschool programs for students, families and communities. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signed a proclamation encouraging all Missourians to participate and more than 350 events were held statewide that day. For more information about afterschool programs or "Lights on Afterschool" visit www.afterschoolalliance.org.

New Technology Tools and Strategies for Young Children
The National Association for the Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) journal Young Children focused its May 2012 issue on technology and young children. This issue shares new tools and strategies for teachers and learners, including how to effectively use whiteboards in early childhood mathematics, incorporating multimedia albums with preschoolers, documenting children's learning with smartphones and tablets, and supporting young children's scientific thinking through play. Read more

Save the Date for Conference on the Young Years

The Department's Early Learning section will be hosting the 40th annual Conference on the Young Years, March 7-9, 2013. Presentations from several nationally recognized speakers will address leadership in early childhood, literacy, science and art. Department staff, along with classroom teachers, will also be presenting a strand of presentations specifically on the Common Core State Standards. Registration information will be available in December.

Department to Launch New Leadership Development Program
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is launching a leadership development program called MoLEAD (Missouri Leadership for Excellence, Achievement and Development). MoLEAD will implement the National Institute for School Leadership's Executive Development Program for school leaders, already used in many states. The program will focus on enhancing instructional leadership skills in schools and developing Missouri's future school leaders including assistant principals, aspiring principals and teacher leaders. Such a program will dramatically impact Missouri schools and ultimately help students achieve their goals. More information

Missouri Educator Evaluation System - Pilot Project Districts
The Office of Educator Quality currently has 100 school districts signed up to participate in the Missouri Educator Evaluation System Pilot Project. These districts represent the largest and smallest school districts in the state of Missouri, as well as over 20,000 staff and nearly 235,000 students. Interested school districts may still sign up to participate. Further information may be found on the Educator Evaluation System webpage, dese.mo.gov/eq/ees.htm.

The state finalists and winner of the 2012 Missouri Teacher of the Year.

Teacher of the Year and State Finalists Honored

Missouri's 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year, Cathy Cartier of Affton High School in St. Louis, and the five finalists for the award were honored by state education officials Oct. 15 in Jefferson City. The Missouri Teacher of the Year program is conducted annually by the Department. Major support for the program is provided by the Boeing Company and the Monsanto Company, a new sponsor this year. Read more

- More information about the Top 10 by 20 strategic plan
- Information and materials for supporters