Missouri
Missouri standardized test scores show progress, continued challenges statewide
Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger speaks during a State Board of Education meeting Tuesday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).
Missouri students are showing progress on standardized tests administered by the state, with results in some categories approaching — and even exceeding — pre-pandemic levels.
But in other areas — most notably English language arts — students continue to struggle.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education revealed preliminary scores in the Missouri Assessment Program, or MAP, to the State Board of Education in its board meeting Tuesday.
Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge, a board member from Pasadena Hills, said she was “a little deflated that we didn’t see more growth and progress.”
DESE is implementing programs to address low levels of literacy, an issue throughout the United States, with interventions based on the science of reading and increased teacher training.
Westbrooks-Hodge said the intervention has worked like triage care; it “stopped the bleed” and scores are static.
“We made lots of great investments in the last two years, and I think we’re going to see the fruit of that as our score starts to increase,” she said. “All of these interventions are working. They’re stabilizing our educational system, and now we can start layering growth on top of that.”
English language arts scores remain below pre-pandemic levels, according to data presented Tuesday, with 56% of students scoring in the “basic” or “below basic” range. This percentage has held steady since 2022.
Lisa Sireno, assistant commissioner of quality schools, said it takes “continuous, sustained focused implementation with fidelity at the local level, up to five years, before we start to see results on large-scale measures.”
She noted that teacher shortages could be impacting the scores, as a battle of the 2023-24 school year.
When looking at scores across all subjects and grades, there is an observable improvement since 2021’s tests. That year, 24% of scores were in the “below basic” range. That’s fallen to 22% this year, still higher than the 19% below basic in the last pre-pandemic tests in 2019. The number of scores in proficient and advanced ranges are one-percent less than 2019’s achievement.
Math scores are exceeding pre-pandemic levels, with a one-percent boost in the advanced category compared to 2019 when looking at grades 3-8. Sireno noted that middle-school math has exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
Sireno expects additional analysis, especially as educators look at local-level data.
PETTIS COUNTY, Mo. (KCTV) – A Sedalia man is dead and a woman is recovering after a single-vehicle crash, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Troopers say the crash happened around 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, near the intersection of Route M and Whiteman Rd.
Investigators add that a 2018 Dodge Challenger, driven by a 30-year-old Sedalia man, was traveling north on the highway when it veered off the right side of the road.
MSHP notes that the vehicle struck a tree and a fence before rolling over.
First responders say they pronounced the driver dead at the scene around 11:55 p.m. He was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Authorities indicate that a 26-year-old female passenger, also from Sedalia, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Bothwell Regional Health Center. She was not wearing a seatbelt.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. No further information has been released.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 17, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 17 drawing
03-26-49-53-61, Powerball: 12, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 17 drawing
Midday: 6-4-5
Midday Wild: 0
Evening: 1-7-5
Evening Wild: 6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 17 drawing
Midday: 7-5-3-7
Midday Wild: 2
Evening: 7-3-4-0
Evening Wild: 8
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 17 drawing
Early Bird: 12
Morning: 09
Matinee: 06
Prime Time: 13
Night Owl: 03
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from June 17 drawing
11-22-24-32-34
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from June 17 drawing
10-17-44-63-67, Powerball: 24
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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