The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has developed a comprehensive approach for assessing the preparation of prospective teachers, guidance counselors, librarians, principals and superintendents in Missouri.
Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) or ACT
All Columbia College BEACON students (undergraduate students who have not yet completed a bachelor's degree) are required to obtain passing scores on the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) or ACT for admission to the College's Teacher Certification Program (TCP). Much like the ACT, the MoGEA includes sections on English language arts, writing, mathematics, science and social science. DESE approved the ACT option April 2019. (The SAT does not meet this DESE requirement.)
Beginning with the 2015-16 academic year, Educator Preparation Programs are able to set their own MoGEA cut scores. From 2015-16 academic year and forward, the cut scores for Columbia College are 220 for each sub-test. In the fall of 2018, the Education Department adjusted the cut score for the MoGEA writing subtest to 193. Former versions of the MoGEA had other cut scores so students who took the MoGEA prior to August 2015 should contact the CC Education Office for more information. The ACT composite cut score for Columbia College is 20.
Free study/review help with the MoGEA is available through the Pearson "MEGA" website as well as Khan Academy.
Missouri Content Assessments (MoCA)
The Missouri Content Assessments exit exams must be completed by prospective educators, including teachers, counselors, librarians, principals and superintendents, for all areas of certification they are seeking.
Official MoCA study guides for most of the certification programs offered at Columbia College are available through the Education Department office, which you can reach at (800) 231-2391 ext. 7818, or at EducatorPrep@ccis.edu or directly through the Pearson "MEGA" website .
Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES)
The MEES is required for certification by the State of Missouri for candidates seeking teaching certification and is aligned with Missouri's Teacher Standards and Quality Indicators. Conducted during the student teaching experience, the MEES assesses instructional capability prior to receiving a license.