The U.S. Department of Education has approved Missouri’s plan to pilot a new statewide assessment program for reading, language arts, and mathematics. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MDESE) will begin the initiative in the 2025-2026 school year after receiving approval through the Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA) program.
IADA permits states that meet certain criteria to design and test alternative statewide assessments. According to Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Hayley Sanon, “I’m pleased to support Missouri in re-imagining their state assessments to better reflect their instructional programs and priorities. IADA gives states the opportunity to try new strategies and assessment designs, focusing on supporting innovation while maintaining rigor and accountability to improve student outcomes. I look forward to seeing the impact of Missouri’s pilot on student achievement and how the state can serve as a model for others.”
Missouri Commissioner of Education Dr. Karla Eslinger commented on the development: “This is a major milestone in Missouri’s work to reshape assessments in ways that truly serve our students, families, and educators. We are grateful to Secretary McMahon and the Department of Education for choosing the Show-Me State to pilot a new assessment to better gauge and improve student outcomes. It is our hope that this work will help us strengthen our statewide assessments to reflect local priorities, inform instruction, and support real-world learning.”
The IADA program was established under federal law as part of efforts by Congress through amendments such as those found in Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The goal is for participating states or agencies meeting eligibility requirements to develop innovative systems that offer more detailed information about academic growth over time.
Missouri’s Success-Ready Student Assessment system aims at personalized learning by providing smaller modular tests throughout the school year instead of one large exam at year-end. These modules are designed with input from local stakeholders so they align with state standards while also being responsive to individual needs within classrooms.
The pilot seeks not only flexibility but also timely feedback—giving teachers actionable data during each school year rather than waiting until its conclusion. This approach is intended both for instructional improvement as well as keeping parents informed about their children’s progress.
For this round, Missouri was the only state applying for participation in IADA for 2025-2026.
