Transformational Learning Opportunities:

Virtual & Online Schooling:

• Missouri offers a variety of online learning programs through Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program, which provides students with access to 8 full-time providers and 10 course providers. MOCAP gives district, charter, private and homeschool students access to online courses to accelerate their education.

• In 2022, HB 1552 was signed into law, which eases application processes to enroll in a virtual program, ultimately providing families with more power to choose online schooling options. 

• Liberty Public School District 53, Mehlville R-IX School District, and Springfield R-XII School District are members of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools. The League of Innovative Schools is a national network of school leaders in 150 districts in 38 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation.

Digital Learning Resources:

• The eLearning for Educators program is a grant that provides professional development for more than 2,100 K-12 teachers in the state, mostly in at-risk areas. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, KETC/Channel 9 St. Louis Public Television, Missouri State University, and University of Missouri are partners.  

• Curious about your district’s internet access? ConnectK-12 provides state- and district-specific information on access to the recommended bandwidth speeds and monthly internet costs. 

Career & Technical and/or Work-based Education:

• While not explicitly outlined in law, Missouri is home to a robust Career and Technical Education system; “518 local education agencies. These local education agencies include 444 comprehensive high school districts (57 with area career centers), one state technical college, 12 community college districts (four with area career centers), seven four-year institutions, and two state agencies. The network of area career centers provides an economical source of occupational-specific skill training which is available to residents within each school's service delivery area.”

• According to CTE K-12 Funding, Missouri provides funding to career tech centers and comprehensive high schools to help with CTE implementation costs, educator time for career education, student credits earned (for ATCs only), and performance-based funding for successful program completions leading to positive placement outcomes.

Personalized, Competency- and/or Mastery-based Learning:

• The state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is currently considering shifting from traditional time-based education to competency-based learning, prioritizing learner-centered approaches. In February 2022, DESE appointed Missouri educators to lead the Success Ready Students Work Group, tasked with outlining successful implementation strategies for competency-based education. After seven meetings, the group presented recommendations to the State Board of Education in June 2022.

• In February 2024, DESE awarded over $2.2 million from the Competency-Based Education grant program to six Missouri school districts and one group of local education agencies. These grants support local CBE programs that offer flexible learning opportunities, individualized options, proficiency assessment based on critical knowledge and skills, and mastery assessment through performance tasks.

Innovation Schools, Zones, and/or Districts:

• In 2022, the state enacted SB1009, enabling schools and districts to seek an innovation waiver. This waiver grants districts exemptions from certain education laws for a period of up to three years. In August 2023, 19 school districts and one charter applied for these waivers and were approved by the State’s Board of Education. The Success-Ready Students Network will support the effort.