Education Student Learning Outcomes

Missouri Teaching Standards convey the expectations of performance for professional teachers in Missouri. The standards are based on teaching theory indicating that graduates become effective teachers who:

  • Are caring, reflective practitioners and lifelong learners.
  • Continuously develop knowledge and skills.
  • Supply good professional judgment and use the Missouri Standards for the Preparation of Educators to inform and improve their own practice.
  • Mature and strengthen their skills throughout their career.



Missouri Teaching Standards

Standard #1 Content knowledge aligned with appropriate instruction.

The teacher understands the central concepts, structures, and tools of inquiry of the discipline(s) and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful and engaging for all students. [SB 291 Section 160.045.2 (3) The teacher is prepared and knowledgeable of the content and effectively maintains students’ on-task behavior.]

Quality Indicator 1: Content knowledge and academic language

Quality Indicator 2: Student engagement in subject matter

Quality Indicator 3: Disciplinary research and inquiry methodologies

Quality Indicator 4: Interdisciplinary instruction

Quality Indicator 5: Diverse social and cultural perspectives

Standard #2 Student Learning, Growth and Development

The teacher understands how students learn, develop and differ in their approaches to learning. The teacher provides learning opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners and support the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students. [SB 291 Section 160.045.2 (1) Students actively participate and are successful in the learning process; (5) The teacher keeps current on instructional knowledge and seeks and explores changes in teaching behaviors that will improve student performance.]

Quality Indicator 1: Cognitive, social, emotional and physical development

Quality Indicator 2: Student goals

Quality Indicator 3: Theory of learning

Quality Indicator 4: Differentiated lesson design

Quality Indicator 5: Prior experiences, multiple intelligences, strengths and needs

Quality Indicator 6: Language, culture, family and knowledge of community values

Standard #3 Curriculum Implementation

The teacher recognizes the importance of long-range planning and curriculum development. The teacher develops, implements, and evaluates curriculum based upon student, district and state standards data. [SB 291 Section 160.045.2 (1) Students actively participate and are successful in the learning process; (2) Various forms of assessment are used to monitor and manage student learning; (3) The teacher is prepared and knowledgeable of the content and effectively maintains students’ on-task behavior; (5) The teacher keeps current on instructional knowledge and seeks and explores teaching behaviors that will improve student performance.]

Quality Indicator 1: Implementation of curriculum standards

Quality Indicator 2: Lessons for diverse learners

Quality Indicator 3: Instructional goals and differentiated instructional strategies

Standard #4 Critical Thinking

The teacher uses a variety of instructional strategies and resources to encourage students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills. [SB 291 Section 160.045.2 (1) Students actively participate and are successful in the learning process.]

Quality Indicator 1: Instructional strategies leading to student engagement in problem-solving and critical thinking

Quality Indicator 2: Appropriate use of instructional resources to enhance student learning

Quality Indicator 3: Cooperative, small group and independent learning

Standard #5 Positive Classroom Environment

The teacher uses an understanding of individual/group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages active engagement in learning, positive social interaction, and self-motivation. [SB 291 Section 160.045.2 (3) The teacher is prepared and knowledgeable of the content and effectively maintains students’ on-task behavior; (5) The teacher keeps current on instructional knowledge and seeks and explores changes in teaching behaviors that will improve student performance.]

Quality Indicator 1: Classroom management techniques

Quality Indicator 2: Management of time, space, transitions, and activities

Quality Indicator 3: Classroom, school and community culture

Standard #6 Effective Communication

The teacher models effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques with students, colleagues

and families to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom. [SB 291 Section

160.045.2 (4) The teacher uses professional communication and interaction with the school community; (6) The teacher

acts as a responsible professional in the overall mission of the school.]

Quality Indicator 1: Verbal and nonverbal communication

Quality Indicator 2: Sensitivity to culture, gender, intellectual and physical differences

Quality Indicator 3: Learner expression in speaking, writing and other media

Quality Indicator 4: Technology and media communication tools

Standard #7 Student Assessment and Data Analysis

The teacher understands and uses formative and summative assessment strategies to assess the learner’s

progress and uses both classroom and standardized assessment data to plan ongoing instruction. The teacher

monitors the performance of each student, and devises instruction to enable students to grow and develop,

making adequate academic progress. [SB 291 Section 160.045.2 (2) Various forms of assessment are used to monitor

and manage student learning; (5) The teacher keeps current on instructional knowledge and seeks and explores changes

in teaching behaviors that will improve student performance.]

Quality Indicator 1: Effective use of assessments

Quality Indicator 2: Assessment data to improve learning

Quality Indicator 3: Student-led assessment strategies

Quality Indicator 4: Effect of instruction on individual/class learning

Quality Indicator 5: Communication of student progress and maintaining records

Quality Indicator 6: Collaborative data analysis

Standard #8 Professionalism

The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually assesses the effects of choices and actions on others. The

teacher actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally in order to improve learning for all students. [SB

291 Section 160.045.2 (2) Various forms of assessment are used to monitor and manage student learning; (5) The

teacher keeps current on instructional knowledge and seeks and explores changes in teaching behaviors that will improve

student performance; (6) The teacher acts as a responsible professional in the overall mission of the school.]

Quality Indicator 1: Self-assessment and improvement

Quality Indicator 2: Professional learning

Quality Indicator 3: Professional rights, responsibilities and ethical practices

Standard #9 Professional Collaboration

The teacher has effective working relationships with students, parents, school colleagues, and community

members. [SB 291 Section 160.045.2 (4) The teacher uses professional communication and interaction with the school

community; (6) The teacher acts as a responsible professional in the overall mission of the school.]

Quality Indicator 1: Induction and collegial activities

Quality Indicator 2: Collaborating to meet student needs

Quality Indicator 3: Cooperative partnerships in support of student learning