(Jefferson City)  --  Missouri Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro says public school students deserve a better education than they're getting.

Nicastro made those remarks Tuesday to a group of state senators and leaders considering future education policy. The group is charged with examining aspects of education policy and developing a long-term strategy for ensuring access to quality education.

Nicastro said the state's education system is producing middle-of-the-pack results in nearly all national measures of student performance.

In outlining the goals and plans for the Department's education reform initiative, Nicastro emphasized the importance of early childhood education, as well as preparing high school graduates who are college-and career-ready and can compete internationally.

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