Missouri Teacher Standards
Missouri's educator evaluation framework organized around nine teacher standards established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The standards define what effective teachers should know and be able to do, covering content knowledge, student learning, curriculum, critical thinking, classroom management, communication, assessment, professionalism, and professional collaboration.
The Missouri Teacher Standards is organized into 9 domains, 36 criteria, and a 5-level rating scale.
Used across Missouri school districts as the state teacher evaluation framework.
Domains and Criteria
The Missouri Teacher Standards domains and criteria
Content Knowledge Aligned With Appropriate Instruction
Understanding the central concepts, structures, and tools of inquiry of the discipline and creating meaningful learning experiences.
1: Content knowledge and academic language
2: Student engagement in subject matter
3: Disciplinary research and inquiry methodologies
4: Interdisciplinary instruction
5: Diverse social and cultural perspectives
Student Learning, Growth and Development
Understanding how students learn, develop, and differ in their approaches, and providing learning opportunities that support development.
1: Cognitive, social, emotional and physical development
2: Student goals
3: Theory of learning
4: Differentiated lesson design
5: Prior experiences, multiple intelligences, strengths and needs
6: Language, culture, family and knowledge of community values
Curriculum Implementation
Recognizing the importance of curriculum design and using standards-aligned curriculum to guide instruction.
1: Implementation of curriculum standards
2: Lessons for diverse learners
3: Instructional goals and differentiated instructional strategies
Critical Thinking
Using a variety of instructional strategies to promote student development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
1: Instructional strategies leading to student engagement in problem-solving and critical thinking
2: Appropriate use of instructional resources to enhance student learning
3: Cooperative, small group and independent learning
Positive Classroom Environment
Creating a learning community where individual differences are respected, students feel safe, and productive routines are established.
1: Classroom management techniques
2: Management of time, space, transitions, and activities
3: Classroom, school and community culture
Effective Communication
Using effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to promote active inquiry and collaboration in the classroom.
1: Verbal and nonverbal communication
2: Sensitivity to culture, gender, intellectual and physical differences
3: Learner expression in speaking, writing and other media
4: Technology and media communication tools
Student Assessment and Data Analysis
Using multiple methods of assessment to monitor student progress, analyze data, and adjust instruction to improve student achievement.
1: Effective use of assessments
2: Assessment data to improve learning
3: Student-led assessment strategies
4: Effect of instruction on individual/class learning
5: Communication of student progress and maintaining records
6: Collaborative data analysis
Professionalism
Demonstrating ethical conduct, engaging in continuous professional growth, and upholding professional responsibilities.
1: Self-assessment and improvement
2: Professional learning
3: Professional rights, responsibilities and ethical practices
Professional Collaboration
Engaging in collaborative partnerships with colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning.
1: Induction and collegial activities
2: Collaborating to meet student needs
3: Cooperative partnerships in support of student learning
Rating Levels
Missouri Teacher Standards rating levels
Candidate
Candidate: #C#) This level describes the performance expected of a potential teacher preparing to enter the profession and is enrolled in an approved educator preparation program at a college, university, or state-approved alternate pathway. Content knowledge and teaching skills are being developed through a progression of planned classroom and supervised clinical experiences.
Emerging Teacher
Emerging Teacher: #E#) This level describes the performance expected of a new teacher as they enter the profession or a practicing teacher in a new assignment. The base knowledge and skills are applied as they begin to teach and advance student growth and achievement in their classroom.
Developing Teacher
Developing Teacher: #D#) This level describes the performance expected of a teacher early in their assignment with the teaching, content, knowledge, and skills that he/she possesses continually developing as they encounter new experiences and expectations in the classroom, school, district, and community while they continue to advance student growth and achievement.
Proficient Teacher
Proficient Teacher: #P#) This level describes the performance expected of a career, professional teacher who continues to advance his/her knowledge and skills while consistently advancing student growth and achievement.
Distinguished Teacher
Distinguished Teacher: #S#) This level describes the career, professional teacher whose performance exceeds proficiency and who contributes to the profession and larger community while consistently advancing student growth and achievement. The Distinguished Teacher serves as an educational leader in the school, district, and the profession.
Source
Official Missouri Teacher Standards source
Source: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Teacher Standards: Missouri's Educator Evaluation System (May 2013). Verified 2026-06-01. View the official rubric
Rubric facts verified 2026-06-01 against the official source.
Giving feedback on the Missouri Teacher Standards
The slow part is the write-up
Aligning observation evidence to every Missouri Teacher Standards domain and standard by hand, for every teacher and every visit, is what eats a principal's week. Observation Copilot does that mapping for you.
How Observation Copilot Helps
AI-powered Missouri Teacher Standards feedback in seconds
Paste your observation notes. Copilot maps your evidence to the right Missouri Teacher Standards domains and drafts structured, rubric-aligned feedback - ready to review and share. Walkthrough notes return a focused single-indicator debrief; full lesson observations return a multi-domain rubric-aligned report.
- Organizes observation notes by the nine Missouri Teacher Standards
- Generates evidence-based feedback aligned to your district's evaluation rubric
- Maps evidence from your notes to specific Missouri standard indicators
- Creates targeted next steps tied to specific Missouri Teacher Standards
- Reduces post-observation write-up time for Missouri principals
Frequently Asked Questions
Missouri Teacher Standards FAQ
- What is the MTS?
- Missouri's statewide teacher professional standards, used within the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) to define and assess teacher performance across nine standards and thirty-six quality indicators on a professional continuum from Candidate to Distinguished.
- What are the domains of the MTS?
- The MTS is organized into 9 domains: Content Knowledge Aligned With Appropriate Instruction, Student Learning, Growth and Development, Curriculum Implementation, Critical Thinking, Positive Classroom Environment, Effective Communication, Student Assessment and Data Analysis, Professionalism, and Professional Collaboration.
- How is the MTS scored?
- Performance is rated on a 5-level scale: Candidate, Emerging Teacher, Developing Teacher, Proficient Teacher, and Distinguished Teacher.
- What does MTS stand for?
- MTS stands for Missouri Teacher Standards.
- Which version of the Missouri Teacher Standards is current?
- The current standards are the Missouri Teacher Standards (May 2013) from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, used within the Missouri Educator Evaluation System and verified against the official source on June 1, 2026.
Used In
States Using Missouri Teacher Standards
Related Reading
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