Missouri’s top educators expand test score certification to fight teacher shortage

Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 8:43 AM

Even though school is out for summer, Missouri’s education department is working to address the severe teacher shortage.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) said last fall that there were more than 3,000 positions in classrooms across Missouri that were either left vacant or filled by someone not qualified.

The State Board of Education met for their monthly meeting Tuesday and voted in favor of expanding testing scores in hopes of getting more teachers certified. By tweaking the state’s qualifying score, more than 500 teachers could be added to the workforce.

The entire article can be read at ozarksfirst.com.

More from Local News

AG Bailey, Governor Parson call on state lawmakers to codify anti-trafficking task force

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — “The sooner the legislation is passed, the sooner we can eradicate human trafficking and child trafficking here in Missouri once and for all,” Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said inside a conference room at the Southwest Missouri MoDOT office.
Branson Public Schools Offers Free Summer Meal Program

BRANSON, MO (April 25, 2024) – In conjunction with summer school in the Branson School District, a free nutritious meal will be available to all children age 18 and younger and eligible disabled adults. Children are not required to attend summer school to participate in the federally funded Summer Food Service Program.
Area Counties Benefit from U.S. Forest Service Grants

Several counties in Arkansas and Missouri are among those receiving funding from the U.S. Forest Service.
White River Marine Group Sees Layoffs at Three Plants, One in Lakes Region

White River Marine Group, the boat manufacturing division of Bass Pro Shops, has eliminated 176 jobs across three factories including one in northern Arkansas.