/news-rss?filter=education MO.gov News Feed: Education Mon, 20 May 2013 03:22:29 +0000 en-us http://dese.mo.gov/news/2013/NationalBreakthroughSchools.htm http://dese.mo.gov/news/2013/NationalBreakthroughSchools.htm Fri, 17 May 2013 12:28:43 +0000 http://governor.mo.gov/newsroom/2013/Gov_Nixon_announces_university_agreements_for_the_Missouri_Innovation_Campus_initiative http://governor.mo.gov/newsroom/2013/Gov_Nixon_announces_university_agreements_for_the_Missouri_Innovation_Campus_initiative Wed, 15 May 2013 11:38:13 +0000 Gov. Jay Nixon today announced an agreement that allows students to transfer credits earned at Linn State Technical College to Lincoln University as part of the Central Missouri Innovation Campus initiative. Innovation Campuses, announced last year by Gov. Nixon, will train students for career opportunities in high-demand fields, cut the time it takes to earn a college degree, and reduce student debt. http://dese.mo.gov/news/2013/friend-of-education.htm http://dese.mo.gov/news/2013/friend-of-education.htm Wed, 15 May 2013 09:35:04 +0000 http://governor.mo.gov/newsroom/2013/Gov_Nixon_vetoes_Senate_Bill_350_repeats_call_to_protect_funding_for_First_Steps http://governor.mo.gov/newsroom/2013/Gov_Nixon_vetoes_Senate_Bill_350_repeats_call_to_protect_funding_for_First_Steps Tue, 14 May 2013 17:36:40 +0000 JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Jay Nixon today vetoed Senate Bill 350 and urged the General Assembly to act quickly to fund Missouri's First Steps program in a responsible way. In his veto message, Gov. Nixon noted that instead of addressing the important issue of tax credit reform in a comprehensive manner, Senate Bill 350 eliminates only part of a single program - the renters' portion of the Property Tax Credit - that assists low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. http://dese.mo.gov/news/2013/pathways.htm http://dese.mo.gov/news/2013/pathways.htm Tue, 14 May 2013 16:09:30 +0000 http://dese.mo.gov/news/2013/BoardApprovesModelEducatorEvaluationSystem.htm http://dese.mo.gov/news/2013/BoardApprovesModelEducatorEvaluationSystem.htm Tue, 14 May 2013 14:42:51 +0000 http://governor.mo.gov/newsroom/2013/Gov_Nixon_visits_Abilities_First_in_Springfield_to_discuss_importance_of_First_Steps_program http://governor.mo.gov/newsroom/2013/Gov_Nixon_visits_Abilities_First_in_Springfield_to_discuss_importance_of_First_Steps_program Tue, 14 May 2013 13:46:49 +0000 SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Jay Nixon today joined parents, providers and advocates at Abilities First in Springfield to discuss the importance of First Steps, Missouri's early intervention program for infants and toddlers, birth to age 3, who have developmental delays or disabilities. http://governor.mo.gov/newsroom/2013/Gov_Nixon_visits_Children_s_Center_for_the_Visually_Impaired_in_Kansas_City http://governor.mo.gov/newsroom/2013/Gov_Nixon_visits_Children_s_Center_for_the_Visually_Impaired_in_Kansas_City Tue, 14 May 2013 11:32:57 +0000 KANSAS CITY - Gov. Jay Nixon today joined parents, providers and advocates at the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired in Kansas City to discuss the importance of First Steps, Missouri's early intervention program for infants and toddlers, birth to age 3, who have developmental delays or disabilities. http://dese.mo.gov/news/2013/Content-readinessPolicyCCSS.htm http://dese.mo.gov/news/2013/Content-readinessPolicyCCSS.htm Mon, 13 May 2013 07:44:09 +0000 http://dhe.mo.gov/news/show.php?u=College_Access_Challenge_Grants&yr=2013 http://dhe.mo.gov/news/show.php?u=College_Access_Challenge_Grants&yr=2013 Thu, 09 May 2013 14:13:48 +0000 Jefferson City - More than 2,500 students from a 14-county region in central Missouri get motivation and guidance from the combined College Fair and Career Day held at State Fair Community College each year during the last week of September. The event is made possible through a $100,000 College Access Challenge Grant administered by the Missouri Department of Higher Education. Pat Gillman is director of College and Career Readiness at State Fair. She said the grant enables area high schools to participate in the fair by underwriting the cost of transportation. "Superintendents told us 'no way can we come' when the first economic crunch hit," Gillman said. "The cost of buses and lunches for the students was prohibitive." Gillman saw the grant as a resource to help continue the successful program. "When I asked for letters of support from superintendents, I expected a handful would respond," she said. Instead, she got 41 endorsements. The morning of the fair offers students a chance to get acquainted with colleges and universities in the state. The afternoon brings together businesses and industries to show off employment opportunities and the academic preparation required for them. The fair is one of a three-pronged approach State Fair uses to motivate students to attend college. A program aimed at middle schoolers explains the academic requirements that are needed, and financial aid advisers help high school students understand their options to pay for college. "The academic program for middle school students is a wake-up call," Gillman said. "It is amazing what a little preparation can do to raise test scores." The financial aid advisers work with high school counselors and provide help with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to high school students and adults who want to return to school. This will be the third year that State Fair has received a College Access Challenge Grant. Gillman said FAFSA filings have risen in every district as a result of grant activities. State Fair partners with Central Methodist University on the grant activities. College Access Challenge Grants were created by Congress in 2007 to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. This year the Missouri Department of Higher Education awarded more than $1.6 million in federal funds to 21 groups to reach underserved students. Other grant recipients are: College Bound St. Louis ($100,000-St. Louis) College Bound provides weekly classes on "college knowledge" ranging from admission requirements, types of postsecondary schools, developing study skills, college application completion, scholarship research, essay writing, career exploration, financial literacy and standardized test preparation. College Summit ($100,000-St. Louis) College Summit provides a comprehensive college access and preparation program to 15 partner schools in the St. Louis area as they continue building a systemic college-going culture. De La Salle Middle School ($99,964-St. Louis) De La Salle Middle School will provide effective information to students and families, beginning in middle school, on postsecondary education benefits, opportunities and planning as well as career preparation. Drury University ($58,506-Springfield) Drury University, in close partnership with the Springfield Public Schools, conducts the Drury Scholars Program, which is a yearlong mentoring and tutoring initiative. Harris-Stowe State University ($51,161-St. Louis) The 2013-2014 HSSU Financial Awareness Outreach Program will serve area low-income middle and high school students as well as parents, non-traditional students and continuing education students. Infinite Scholars Program of Missouri ($93,853-St. Louis) The Infinite Scholars Program provides a combination of comprehensive college access activities and career opportunity awareness activities to students and their families. Metropolitan Community College and the Career Education Consortium ($71,734-Kansas City) College Access Challenge Grant funds will be used for the FAST Project (Finding Academic Success in Transitions) which serves six geographically diverse school districts in the metropolitan Kansas City area. Missouri College Advising Corps ($100,000-University of Missouri- Columbia) The Missouri College Advising Corps (MCAC) program provides college access support and activities to 26 partner high schools in the state.  Missouri Council on Economic Education ($18,090-Kansas City) The Missouri Council on Economic Education will create an iBook textbook called: "How to Pay for College." Missouri Southern State University ($30,000-Joplin) Missouri Southern State University will develop a "Major, Minor, and Career Preparation Academy" to assist students in exploring and selecting appropriate major, minor and career paths. Missouri State University- West Plains ($100,000-West Plains) College Access Challenge Grant funds will be used to support and sustain "Project Threshold" which serves Howell, Oregon, Shannon, Texas, Wright, Douglas, Ozark, Carter, Reynolds and Wayne counties in south-central Missouri. St. Charles Community College ($99,926-Cottleville) St. Charles Community College will implement the "BE READY" Project with middle and high school students in St. Charles, Lincoln, Montgomery, Pike and Warren counties. St. Louis Internship Program ($45,668-St. Louis) St. Louis Internship Program provides college access outreach to students in all 25 St. Louis City public, charter, parochial and private high schools. Southeast Missouri State University ($100,000-Cape Girardeau) Southeast Missouri State University will lead the "PLAN FOR COLLEGE" initiative which provides a prescribed set of college planning and preparatory services to 44 public high schools in a 10-county region in southeast Missouri. The Community Partnership ($32,318-Rolla) The Community Partnership will help at-risk youth, specifically youth in foster care and teen parents, obtain information, resources, support and opportunities related to post-secondary education. The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis ($85,000-St. Louis) College Access Challenge Grant funds will be used for the foundation's "Student Advocate and Advising Program." The University of Missouri- Columbia 4-H Extension ($100,000-Columbia) The University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for youth development makes college an obtainable goal for high school youth who are not otherwise encouraged to attend college.  The University of Missouri- Kansas City ($84,500-Kansas City) College Access Challenge Grant funds will assist with a collaborative college and career preparatory program among several key units at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Truman State University ($38,120-Kirksville) Truman State University's BULLDOG (Building Up Lives; Lending Direction and Optimism for Going) Program will foster collaboration with area high schools in northeast Missouri. Wyman Center, Inc. ($99,994-Eureka) Wyman provides college access through its Wyman Prep program in a progressive manner from middle school through high school for teens in need.   http://dhe.mo.gov/news/show.php?u=FAFSA_volunteers_recognized&yr=2013 http://dhe.mo.gov/news/show.php?u=FAFSA_volunteers_recognized&yr=2013 Mon, 06 May 2013 09:41:33 +0000 Jefferson City - Volunteers at FAFSA Frenzy events held around the state helped 1,470 students file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid this year, a 5.6 increase over last year's total. More than 600 volunteers assisted at 55 FAFSA Frenzy sites around Missouri. FAFSA Frenzy events make applying for financial aid easier by providing students with free, on-site help to fill out the FAFSA, which is the first step in applying for most federal, state and institutional financial aid. The Missouri Department of Higher Education recognized two Outstanding Site Coordinators of the Year and two Outstanding Volunteers of the Year based on nominations from FAFSA Frenzy organizers and volunteers. Site Coordinator of the Year awards went to Robin Stimac, financial aid director for Metropolitan Community College- Maple Woods, and Rebecca Strubbe, director of guidance at Lebanon High School. Robin Stimac, who coordinated FAFSA Frenzy at the Maple Woods campus of Metropolitan Community College, was recognized as a tireless promoter of FAFSA Frenzy at community events and on local TV and radio shows. "Robin makes sure every parent and every student feels comfortable," said one of her nominators. Rebecca Strubbe hosted FAFSA Frenzy at Lebanon High School, bringing in families from schools within a 30-mile radius to join the event. She recruited financial aid advisors from several colleges and guidance counselors from surrounding high schools to lend their expertise to students and their families. Volunteer of the Year awards went to Teresa Steinkamp, program advisor at the St. Louis Scholarship Foundation, and Sharon Kavanaugh, customer service representative for State Fair Community College. Teresa Steinkamp served at numerous sites and was nominated as a volunteer at Hazelwood East Middle School. She was recognized for her expertise and ability to work one-on-one with participants to submit the FAFSA, and for following up with an individual student who encountered problems. "She emailed the student in less than 24 hours and later followed up with her to see if the student had completed her application," according to the nominating form. Sharon Kavanaugh helped at the FAFSA Frenzy event at State Fair Community College. She promoted the event throughout Sedalia, even securing donated lunches, cookies and prizes for the participants. "Everyone was impressed we provided lunch for them ... they were so very grateful," wrote her nominator. "She went above and beyond to make our event a success." "Students encounter many obstacles in the path to college," said David Russell, commissioner of higher education. "The dedicated volunteers of FAFSA Frenzy help remove those obstacles so students can apply for financial aid on time. We recognize these outstanding site coordinators and volunteers of the year, and extend our thanks to the hundreds of others who give freely of their time to help students obtain financial aid." http://www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/data.asp?param=049 http://www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/data.asp?param=049 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:53:33 +0000 The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will welcome more than 1,200 fifth graders from all over Missouri to Earth Day 2013, Friday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the South Lawn of the Capitol. Capitol Circle Drive and a portion of Broadway Street will close temporarily to accommodate the event. The Department of Natural Resources sponsors the event and is being joined by 12 other local and state agencies with booths, exhibits, interactive displays and stage shows on the grounds. Stage shows will include Environmental Survivor, a game show based on the popular television series and hosted by KAT Country 94.3 morning show hosts Kevin Hilley and Erin Hart; a presentation from the World Bird Sanctuary; and the Department of Natural Resources' own Science Guys, Nick Newport and Chatchai Pinthuprapa, who will entertain students with feats of science. Nearly 1,200 students, representing 66 classes from 25 schools, have registered to attend Earth Day 2013. Registered classes include schools from St. Louis and 11 counties: Boone, Callaway, Camden, Chariton, Cole, Gasconade, Lincoln, Maries, Moniteau, Montgomery, Osage, Randolph and Scott. This year marks the department’s 19th annual recognition of Earth Day. Earth Day is targeted toward students, but the event is free and open to the public, as well. http://www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/data.asp?param=042 http://www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/data.asp?param=042 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:32:57 +0000 Bellflower fifth-grade student Shelby Stille wrote the winning submission in the Department of Natural Resources’ Earth Day 2013 slogan contest. Shelby’s slogan, “Energy Efficiency: It’s a Bright Idea,” was selected from nearly 500 entries based on the theme, “energy efficiency.” As the slogan contest winner, she will receive a $50 gift card donated by Central Bank in Jefferson City and be recognized on stage during the Earth Day 2013 opening ceremony, April 19 in Jefferson City. Shelby, the daughter of Ned and Maria Stille, Bellflower, is a student in Christina Harms’ class at Montgomery City Elementary School. Shelby’s slogan reminds all of us that being energy efficient – in lighting, heating and air conditioning, and transportation – not only has environmental benefits, but is also a smart move economically. Earth Day 2013 represents the Department of Natural Resources’ 19th year sponsoring the event, which will include educational displays and activities from the department as well as a number of other state and federal agencies. The day’s events will also include a number of stage shows and contests. Although geared toward upper elementary school age students, the event is free and open to the public. More information about Earth Day 2013 is available online at dnr.mo.gov/earthday. http://mda.mo.gov/news/2013/30_Missouri_Students_Selected_for_Summer_Ag_Careers_Academy http://mda.mo.gov/news/2013/30_Missouri_Students_Selected_for_Summer_Ag_Careers_Academy Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:31:41 +0000 The Missouri Department of Agriculture is giving 30 high school students from throughout Missouri the opportunity to explore careers in agriculture through the 2013 Missouri Agribusiness Academy - a competitive membership for sophomores interested in pursuing agriculture-related college degrees and careers. This year, the students selected have the opportunity to learn about the many unique opportunities for careers in agriculture. The group will spend the week of June 3 in the greater Springfield area. They will visit Missouri State University and the William H. Darr Agricultural Center, as well as Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in Mansfield and Osage Catfisheries in Osage Beach. The students will end their week with a graduation ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. http://mda.mo.gov/news/2013/Howell_Ozark_and_Franklin_County_Groups_Get_Grants_for_4_H_FFA_Youth_Service_Projects http://mda.mo.gov/news/2013/Howell_Ozark_and_Franklin_County_Groups_Get_Grants_for_4_H_FFA_Youth_Service_Projects Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:35:23 +0000 The Rockin Ranchers 4-H Club, the Willow Springs FFA Chapter, the Dora FFA Chapter and the Maverick 4-H Club plan to upgrade local community buildings through their service projects.