May 2014

Video Message from Commissioner of Education

Missouri Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro discusses Missouri's education leadership training MoLEAD, Missouri's Gold Star Schools, several student award winners and more. View video via YouTube or webstream.

In This Issue

Questions? Contact Us!

Department Launches Redesigned Website

The Department has launched a redesigned website. The new site features easier access and navigation for teachers, parents and students. Check out the site at www.dese.mo.gov. You can send us your feedback by clicking the feedback button at the top of the page. The Department also produced a webinar explaining background information and how to navigate the site.

Date Set for Administrators Conference

The 53rd Annual Cooperative Conference for School Administrators will take place July 27-29 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia. More information regarding speakers, events and registration will be available at a later date. Read more

Goal #1 - All Missouri students will graduate college and career ready.

Nine Missouri Students Named "Breaking Traditions" Winners

Nine Missourians were honored last month 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. See the complete list of award winners here.

MSIP 5 Adds Jobs Skill Measure

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. The initiative is a voluntary effort guided by community leaders to align workforce and education to meet the economic needs of the state and local communities. Read more

Missouri Semifinalists Named for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

Eight Missouri students have been named semifinalists in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program for their outstanding academic achievement. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established by Executive Order of the President in 1964 to honor some of the nation's most distinguished graduating seniors. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. See the complete list of winners here.

Missouri Learning Standards Newsletter

The Department has launched a newsletter devoted to learning standards in Missouri. This e-newsletter will keep Missourians up to date on the latest information on Missouri Learning Standards and includes blog posts and videos. For more information on the standards, including how to subscribe to the newsletter, visit www.missourilearningstandards.com.

Goal #2 - All Missouri children will enter kindergarten prepared to be successful in school.

Early Learning Program Guidance and Preparing Kids for School

As schools begin preparation for next year, it is important to consider the impact of quality early childhood services and programs. The Early Learning section has available two documents that may provide guidance and support. The Early Learning Program Guidance focuses on 10 areas of an early childhood program, such as qualifications of staff, curriculum, interactions and learning environments, child/staff ratios and establishing partnerships/collaborations. Preparing Kids for School is Missouri's plan for helping children transition from early childhood programs to elementary schools. Included are examples of transition activities that can benefit children, parents and classroom teachers. Schools who are interested in developing a transition plan can also access tips and resources through this document. For more Early Learning publications, click here.

Goal #3 - Missouri will prepare, develop and support effective educators.

Educators Participate in MoLEAD Training
More than 300 superintendents, principals, assistant principals and teachers 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 MoLEAD program combines online and face-to-face training with hands-on experiences and mentoring opportunities to enhance best practices in schools. The training includes 27 days of instruction, 40 hours of online learning and access to a variety of resources. Read more

Missouri Observation Simulation Tool Officially Launches

The Missouri Observation Simulation Tool (MOST) has officially launched and is free to all administrators across the state, as well as to educator preparation programs and education organizations. MOST is an online training tool administrators can use to practice evaluating teachers by observing videos of teachers in action and guidance for how to provide meaningful feedback. With more than 200 video clips available, MOST offers districts targeted support on aligning to four of the seven Essential Principles of Effective Educator Evaluation. Click here to register now!

Goal #4 - The Department will improve efficiency and operational effectiveness.

We Want Your Feedback! We'd like to hear from you about our Top 10 by 20 UPDATE. Please take a minute to give us your feedback about our e-newsletter and how we can make it better for you.

Missouri's Top 10 by 20 Initiative Become a Supporter!

Let us know you support Missouri's Top 10 by 20 initiative! Individuals can sign on as supporters, and organizations can sign on as partners in this effort. We invite your ideas for helping Missouri reach this important goal. Send us a note, or better yet, send a letter to the State Board of Education and/or adopt a resolution at your next meeting. Samples are provided to help you get started.

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

Questions? Contact Us!
Please contact the Department with any questions or suggestions you may have about the Top 10 by 20 initiative or how you can become involved. Contact the Communications Office at 573-751-3469 or email communications@dese.mo.gov. For more information about the Department visit www.dese.mo.gov.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. Inquiries related to Department programs and to the location of services, activities, and facilities that are accessible by persons with disabilities may be directed to the Jefferson State Office Building, Office of the General Counsel, Coordinator - Civil Rights Compliance (Title VI/Title IX/504/ADA/Age Act), 6th Floor, 205 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480; telephone number 573-526-4757 or TTY 800-735-2966; email civilrights@dese.mo.gov.