MO Education Leaders Aim to Boost Results in Math, Language Arts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As Missouri continues to move forward with its waiver from many provisions of 2001 federal education law, state education officials have announced new curriculum suggestions for schools as the state transitions to new standards.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced new, state-level standards for English language arts and mathematics courses for schools to use if they choose.

In addition to being a step in their effort to be removed from federal requirements, the new course suggestions are aimed at boosting state's educational system to the top 10 in the nation by 2020.

"Reaching that goal requires districts to implement more rigorous college- and career-ready standards for all students," said Sharon Helwig, assistant commissioner for the Office of College and Career Readiness. "These new model curriculum units illustrate the necessary shifts in instruction to support students' success in the areas of English language arts and mathematics."

The new curriculum guidelines provide instructional strategies, support resources, and example assessments for schools to use if they choose, the department said.