Mo. education officials receive consultant report

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- An education consultant says there is a link between following through on several state education programs and Missouri students performing better.

The State Board of Education received a preliminary report Friday that evaluates the degree to which state education initiatives have been implemented. The study was produced by Doug Reeves and the Leadership and Learning Center.

Reeves says new education programs must be deeply implemented for achievement.

The preliminary report found a particularly strong tie between program implementation and achievement in five programs. That includes initiatives for reading, teachers' professional development and preschool.

Researchers are to examine 200 schools and 50 districts. They used state assessment results from 2008 and 2009. A final report is to be completed in May.