The Missouri National Education Association is proud to be on the leading edge, once more, as we present in this booklet a vision for Missouri's public schools and communities for the next century. This vision was developed by Missouri educators over many months of study and deliberation. We hope it will serve as a catalyst for conversations in school districts throughout the state about how our schools need to change to better meet the new realities of our world. The mission of our public schools is to serve as a community learning resource and to teach the knowledge and skills needed to prepare students for life. All students are challenged by rigorous academic standards which require them to acquire knowledge and master skills necessary to gather information, communicate effectively, solve problems and make decisions.
All students can learn when their emotional, physical, nutritional and intellectual needs are met.
All staff are appropriately certified, licensed or trained and receive on-going, high quality professional development. Schools provide programs and resources to enable all community members to be lifelong learners. Community members and businesses provide the resources and support to enable public schools to achieve quality education. Continuous improvement of the educational process requires ongoing assessment of all educational components. Schools and families work together in partnership to provide a nurturing environment in which students can take risks and grow to their fullest potential.