Listen to thisUSA
Children need the best education we can offer
As the debate over Missouri educational standards dominates headlines, one might lose sight of the ultimate goal of education – to give our students the knowledge and skills they need for success in life. We’ve been doing a pretty good job of that in Missouri, but we could reach much higher. In fact, one of my proudest accomplishments as commissioner of education is the development of the Top 10 by 20 initiative, an ambitious plan to raise student achievement across Missouri to rank among the top 10 states by 2020. The initiative has three primary goals: 1. All Missouri students will graduate college and career ready. Currently, a third of Missouri graduates require remediation upon entering college, costing Missouri’s families a fortune in college classes that earn no credit. Missouri’s public schools are working hard to ensure all students are prepared to succeed. 2. All Missouri children will enter kindergarten prepared to be successful in school. High-quality early childhood education makes children more successful in the classroom. In Missouri, every 3- and 4-year-old child should have quality learning opportunities at home or in a formal setting. 3. Missouri will prepare, develop and support effective educators.
The success of the Top 10 by 20 initiative will depend on classroom teachers and school leaders. Missouri has updated and strengthened educator preparation and the evaluation system standards to help develop highly effective teachers and leaders. I believe Missouri can rank among the top 10 states by 2020. We are already making progress with higher ACT scores, increased graduation rates and a focus on higher standards. But Missouri’s student achievement is still not where it could be. Learn more about the Top 10 by 20 initiative by visiting dese.mo.gov/top-10-by-20. Our children deserve all of our support and the best education we can offer.
Chris L. Nicastror
6 November 2014
