Next Generation Science Standards Second and Final Public Draft to be Released
The second and final public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) has been released. As with previous drafts, Achieve and National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) encourages teachers to review the draft and provide feedback online to Achieve during the comment period, which ends January 29. The final NGSS are expected to be released in late March. This will be the last public opportunity to add your voice to the science standards that are expected to change the teaching and learning of science nationwide.

• More information and a brief history of the NGSS process
• Web seminar series
• NSTA Guide for Leading a Study Group on NGSS, Second Public Draft

Registration Now Open for Interface 2013
The Department's Office of College and Career Readiness will host the 29th annual Interface Conference February 21-26 in Osage Beach, Mo. Join the Department for Interface 2013 as we focus on some of the challenges that both teachers and students face today. The professional development event is designed to increase teacher knowledge of content, pedagogy and the use of technology, while at the same time focusing on exemplary curriculum and inquiry-based strategies designed to enhance student understanding and increase learning. Also, listen to multiple viewpoints on how to improve mathematics and science teaching. More information and registration

Missouri Students Score Above National Average on Vocabulary Test

Students in Missouri scored just above the national average on a test designed to measure the impact of vocabulary skills on reading comprehension, according to a new report released last month by the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP). Nationwide, Missouri ranked 24th on the fourth-grade vocabulary test and 27th on the eighth-grade test. Read more

Eight Missouri Schools in the Running for 'Blue Ribbon' Recognition

Eight public schools in Missouri have been invited by the U.S. Department of Education to apply for national Blue Ribbon Schools recognition. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes schools where students are achieving at high levels or where significant progress is being made in closing achievement gaps, especially for disadvantaged and minority students. View Missouri's nominees

Missouri Students Selected as Delegates in the U.S. Senate Youth Program

Two Missouri high school seniors have won a week-long, expense-paid trip to our nation's capital as delegates in the United States Senate Youth Program. The students will also receive a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship to the college or university of their choice, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science. The 2013 Missouri delegates are: Zachary Bequette, Hallsville High School; and Anjali Fernandes, Pattonville Senior High School. Read more

Register Now for Conference on the Young Years
The Department's Early Learning section will host the 40th annual Conference on the Young Years March 7-9 in Osage Beach, Mo. 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 Core Academic Standards. Register now

New Educator Preparation Assessments Under Development
As mentioned last month, contracts have been awarded to Evaluation Systems (NCS Pearson) and Educational Testing Service to develop the next generation of educator preparation assessments. Meetings with each of the assessment companies were held in mid-December where implementation plans, including recruiting stakeholders from PK-12, educator preparation programs and professional associations, were developed. More details will be provided in the coming months.

Developing Guidelines for Educator Evaluation System
A shift in how educator performance is evaluated is under way. The state's new model Educator Evaluation System represents a way to not only evaluate performance, but also promote growth and improvement. A key to building capacity on effective, research-based evaluation processes is the development of guidelines to accompany the revised state model that will be ready for release this summer. Groups of key education stakeholders, with input from over 100 districts, participating in the Educator Evaluation System pilot project are in the process of creating guidelines including:

• Supporting novice educators during the probationary period
• Using measures of growth in student learning as a significant part of the evaluation process
• Providing meaningful feedback to promote growth
• Ensuring reliable ratings through evaluator training
• Addressing legal issues and defensibility
• Ensuring evaluation includes development, growth and improvement

More information about the Educator Evaluation System can be found on the Department's website.

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