Are Missouri students growing? Growth model provides a different perspective

By: Courtney Vahle

Outlets: Missouri Independent

Published: February 11, 2026

Words: 675

Last Updated: 3 weeks ago

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Many parents and educators are concerned about standardized test scores released recently by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and rightly so.

Less than half of students in Missouri are proficient in math or English language arts. The numbers are even lower for subgroups; only 1 in 4 students who are black, Hispanic, English learners, or special education students scored proficient or advanced in either subject last school year.

But what if we’re …

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