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Missouri Learning Standards — Complete Reference

Missouri Learning Standards — Complete Reference

<!-- Canonical source for: all Missouri Learning Standards by subject area --> <!-- Last content review: 2026-03 -->

graph TD MLS["Missouri Learning Standards<br/>(Adopted 2016+)"] MLS --> ELA["ELA<br/>K-12"] MLS --> MATH["Mathematics<br/>K-12"] MLS --> SCI["Science<br/>K-12"] MLS --> SS["Social Studies<br/>K-12"] MLS --> FA["Fine Arts<br/>K-12"] MLS --> HPE["Health & PE<br/>K-12"] MLS --> CS["Computer Science<br/>K-12 (2019)"] MLS --> WL["World Languages<br/>K-12 (ACTFL)"] subgraph Hierarchy["Standards Hierarchy"] direction TB STRAND["Strand / Domain"] --> STANDARD["Standard"] STANDARD --> INDICATOR["Indicator / Component"] INDICATOR --> GRADE["Grade Level"] end ELA -.->|"e.g. 5.RL.1.A"| Hierarchy MATH -.->|"e.g. 6.EE.A.1"| Hierarchy

Table of Contents

1. Missouri Learning Standards (Complete Overview)

History

Missouri adopted Missouri Learning Standards (MLS) in 2016, replacing the previous Missouri Show-Me Standards and aligning to college-and-career readiness expectations. Missouri did NOT adopt Common Core wholesale but developed state-specific standards with comparable rigor.

Subject Areas with State Standards

SubjectGrade SpanCurrent VersionStandards Body
English Language ArtsK-122016DESE
MathematicsK-122016DESE
ScienceK-122016 (Missouri Science Standards)DESE
Social StudiesK-122016DESE
Fine ArtsK-122007DESE
Health & Physical EducationK-122007DESE
Computer ScienceK-122019DESE
World LanguagesK-12Guidance document (ACTFL-aligned)DESE

Standards Organization

Standards are organized hierarchically:

  • Strand/Domain → broad content area
  • Standard → specific learning expectation within a strand
  • Indicator/Component → measurable sub-skill or knowledge element
  • Grade level → developmental progression K-12

2. ELA Standards & Strands

ELA Strands (K-12)

StrandCodeFocus
Reading — Literary TextRLComprehension, analysis, interpretation of fiction, poetry, drama
Reading — Informational TextRIComprehension, analysis of nonfiction, functional text, arguments
Reading — Foundational SkillsRFPrint concepts (K-1), phonological awareness (K-1), phonics/word recognition (K-5), fluency (K-5)
WritingWTypes of writing (narrative, informational/explanatory, argumentative), writing process, research
Speaking & ListeningSLComprehension and collaboration, presentation of knowledge
LanguageLConventions (grammar, usage, mechanics), vocabulary acquisition and use

ELA Code Format

{Grade}.{Strand}.{Standard}.{Indicator} — e.g., 5.RL.1.A = Grade 5, Reading Literary Text, Standard 1, Indicator A

Key ELA Shifts in Missouri

  1. Text complexity: grade-level expectations for increasing text difficulty (Lexile bands)
  2. Evidence-based reading and writing: emphasis on citing textual evidence
  3. Informational text: balanced reading of literary and informational text
  4. Academic vocabulary: systematic vocabulary instruction through content-area reading
  5. Research: integrated research skills across grade levels
  6. Writing from sources: writing informed by reading and research (not just personal narrative)

Priority Reading Standards by Band

K-2: Phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension of literary and informational text 3-5: Text-dependent analysis, comparing texts, summarizing, determining theme/main idea, using context for vocabulary 6-8: Analysis of author's craft, argument evaluation, synthesis across texts, literary elements analysis 9-12: Critical analysis, rhetorical analysis, evaluation of complex arguments, literary criticism, research synthesis

3. Mathematics Standards & Domains

Math Domains by Grade Band

K-5 (Elementary) | Domain | Code | Focus | |--------|------|-------| | Counting & Cardinality | CC | K only — counting, number recognition | | Operations & Algebraic Thinking | OA | Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, patterns | | Number & Operations in Base Ten | NBT | Place value, multi-digit arithmetic | | Number & Operations — Fractions | NF | Grades 3-5 — fraction concepts, operations | | Measurement & Data | MD | Units, measurement, data representation | | Geometry | G | Shapes, spatial reasoning, coordinate plane (grade 5) |

6-8 (Middle School) | Domain | Code | Focus | |--------|------|-------| | Ratios & Proportional Relationships | RP | 6-7 — ratios, unit rates, proportional reasoning | | The Number System | NS | Integers, rational numbers, operations | | Expressions & Equations | EE | Variables, expressions, equations, inequalities | | Functions | F | Grade 8 — function concept, linear functions | | Geometry | G | Transformations, congruence, Pythagorean theorem, volume | | Statistics & Probability | SP | Data distributions, probability, inference |

9-12 (High School) | Category | Domains | |----------|---------| | Number & Quantity | Real number system, complex numbers, quantities | | Algebra | Creating equations, reasoning, structure in expressions, polynomial/rational expressions | | Functions | Interpreting, building, linear/quadratic/exponential models, trigonometric functions | | Geometry | Congruence, similarity, circles, coordinates, modeling | | Statistics & Probability | Interpreting data, inference, conditional probability, probability rules |

Math Code Format

{Grade}.{Domain}.{Cluster}.{Standard} — e.g., 6.EE.A.1 = Grade 6, Expressions & Equations, Cluster A, Standard 1

Mathematical Practices (Cross-Cutting)

  1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
  2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively
  3. Construct viable arguments and critique reasoning of others
  4. Model with mathematics
  5. Use appropriate tools strategically
  6. Attend to precision
  7. Look for and make use of structure
  8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

4. Science Standards (Missouri Science Standards)

Organization

Missouri Science Standards (2016) are organized by:

  • Core Ideas aligned to disciplinary areas
  • Science and Engineering Practices (cross-cutting)
  • Crosscutting Concepts (cross-cutting)

Disciplinary Core Ideas

AreaGrade Bands
Physical ScienceProperties of matter, forces and interactions, energy, waves
Life ScienceStructure/function, growth/development, ecosystems, heredity, evolution
Earth and Space ScienceEarth's systems, weather/climate, Earth's place in the universe, human impacts
Engineering, Technology, Applications of ScienceDesign process, links to science concepts

Science and Engineering Practices

  1. Asking questions and defining problems
  2. Developing and using models
  3. Planning and carrying out investigations
  4. Analyzing and interpreting data
  5. Using mathematics and computational thinking
  6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions
  7. Engaging in argument from evidence
  8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Crosscutting Concepts

  1. Patterns
  2. Cause and effect
  3. Scale, proportion, and quantity
  4. Systems and system models
  5. Energy and matter
  6. Structure and function
  7. Stability and change

Science Assessment

  • MAP Science: grades 5 and 8
  • EOC Biology
  • Assessment aligned to Missouri Science Standards

5. Social Studies Standards

Strands

StrandFocus
HistoryWorld and American history; historical thinking skills; chronological reasoning
Government/CivicsPrinciples of democracy, Constitution, rights/responsibilities, civic participation
GeographyPhysical and human geography, maps, spatial thinking, human-environment interaction
EconomicsEconomic systems, supply/demand, personal finance, global economics

Key Course Requirements

  • American History (graduation requirement)
  • American Government (graduation requirement; EOC exam)
  • World History (graduation requirement)
  • RSMo 170.011: instruction in the U.S. and Missouri Constitutions required
  • RSMo 170.013: Personal Finance instruction required for graduation

Civic Education

Missouri has emphasized civic education:

  • U.S. and Missouri Constitution exam requirement (historically a graduation component — verify current DESE guidance)
  • Civic engagement projects encouraged
  • Student government and mock elections as applied learning

6. Fine Arts Standards

Missouri Fine Arts Standards (2007)

Four arts disciplines: | Discipline | Content | |-----------|---------| | Visual Art | Creating, presenting, responding, connecting | | Music | Creating, performing, responding, connecting | | Theatre | Creating, performing, responding, connecting | | Dance | Creating, performing, responding, connecting |

Fine Arts Graduation Requirement

1.0 credit in Fine Arts is required for Missouri high school graduation.

Fine Arts in Assessment

Fine arts are not assessed via MAP/EOC but are included in MSIP 6 school quality indicators (access to arts coursework).

7. Health & Physical Education Standards

Missouri Health & PE Standards (2007)

  • Health Education: nutrition, substance abuse prevention, disease prevention, mental/emotional health, personal safety, human growth and development, community health
  • Physical Education: motor skills, fitness, responsible behavior, physical activity participation

Graduation Requirements

  • 1.0 credit Physical Education
  • 0.5 credit Health Education

Controversial Topic: Sex Education

RSMo 170.015: if a district offers sex education, it must be abstinence-focused. Parents have the right to opt their child out in writing. Districts must provide the curriculum for parental review.

8. Computer Science Standards

Missouri CS Standards (2019)

Adopted in 2019, covering K-12: | Strand | Focus | |--------|-------| | Computing Systems | Hardware, software, troubleshooting | | Networks and the Internet | Networking, cybersecurity | | Data and Analysis | Data collection, visualization, transformation | | Algorithms and Programming | Variables, control, modularity, program development | | Impacts of Computing | Culture, social interactions, safety, law, ethics |

CS Education in Missouri

  • CS is not a graduation requirement (but RSMo 170.018 encourages CS instruction)
  • CS qualification for teachers: see roles/teachers.md (CS certification)
  • Missouri CS Education Grant (RSMo 160.520): funding for schools to develop CS programs (deadline and availability varies by appropriation)
  • Computer Science counts toward math, science, or practical arts graduation credit (per DESE guidance)

9. World Languages

Missouri World Language Standards

Missouri aligns to ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) World-Readiness Standards:

  • Communication (interpersonal, interpretive, presentational)
  • Cultures (relating practices and products to perspectives)
  • Connections (connecting with other disciplines and acquiring information)
  • Comparisons (language and cultural comparisons)
  • Communities (school and global communities)

Proficiency Levels (ACTFL)

Novice → Intermediate → Advanced → Superior → Distinguished (each with Low/Mid/High sub-levels)

Common Languages Offered in Missouri

Spanish (most widely offered), French, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Latin, American Sign Language, Japanese, Arabic (limited)

World Language Certification

Teachers must hold Missouri certification in the specific language. Shortage area in many districts.

→ For instructional practice, curriculum design, and intervention programs: see curriculum-instruction/instructional-practice.md

Nonpartisan informational resource for Missouri — District 2 — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Source: dougdevitre/access-to-education.

Paid for by Matt Grant for Congress.