Make Your Voice Heard on Career and Technical Education

The state Board of Education approved the new standards in December 2011, after several months of public hearings. The plan is for MSIP 5 to begin in public school districts in the 2013-2014 school year. Before this happens, DESE is talking with school district officials about what they can expect.

According to DESE’s website, MSIP 5 policy goals are to:

• Articulate the state's expectations for districts in driving actions for improving student achievement with the ultimate goal of all students graduating ready for success in college and careers;
• Distinguish performance of schools and districts in valid, accurate and meaningful ways, so that districts in need of improvement can receive appropriate support and intervention to meet expectations and high-performing districts can be recognized as models of excellence;
• Empower all stakeholders through regular communication and transparent reporting of clear data on performance and results, so that they can take action appropriate to their roles; and
• Promote continuous improvement and innovation within each district on a statewide basis.

You can click here to see a comparison of current guidelines and what DESE is proposing.

The new standards were given preliminary approval by the state board on Sept. 17, 2012, and a 30-day comment period began on Nov. 1. Once the board gives final approval, the wheels will be in motion toward getting schools ready to meet MSIP 5 guidelines by next school year.

Here is how you can contact DESE:

Margie Vandeven, Assistant Commissioner

Email: Margie.Vandeven@dese.mo.gov

Jackie Wieberg, Executive Assistant

Email: Jackie.Wieberg@dese.mo.gov

Phone: 573-751-4234

Fax: 573-751-9434

Mailing Address:

Office of Quality Schools

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

P.O. Box 480

Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480

I recently received a letter from a constituent regarding MSIP 5, who has been teaching for 35 years. He makes a good point about career and technical education requirements, which seem to be lacking in the new proposal from DESE. This is why your input is so critical. While DESE is talking to administrators, the people doing the actual work of teaching our children and grandchildren are lost in the shuffle. While I am sure MSIP 5 is well-intentioned, there are issues like technical and career education that always get forgotten.

There is still time for folks to read the plan and add their comments. I pray everybody gets a chance and their voices are heard. We are talking about the next several years of education in our state, at a time when we need every advantage we can get. Please take the time to read DESE’s proposal, even if you do not have children currently in school. This issue is about everybody’s future.