NIXA, Mo.-- Gov. Jay Nixon wants to improve opportunities for Missouri students, and says he's ready to put the funding in his budget to support education. Nixon visited John Thomas School of Discovery on Friday to recognize the school and the entire Nixa School District for its continued academic success. He hopes some of the things they're doing can carry over to schools across the state.
The lesson that third graders were working on Friday prepares them for a future full of technology.
"Somebody hacked into his computer, and we have to find out who did it," said Hunter Gibbs.
It's just one difference in the education that students receive at John Thomas School of Discovery.
"Well, we have way more technology, and we use it a lot," said Gibbs.
They also have a lot more time in school: 20 days longer than the state requirement.
"The harder you work at something, the more likely you're going to get good at it," said Nixon.
Nixon wants to extend Missouri's school year requirement by six days, to 180 days.
"When you have the fourth shortest school year required by law, then you need to move," Nixon said.
The idea is one that some Nixa families don't seem to mind.
"We had about 400 spots to fill. We had over 1,800 kids apply, so we know that parents want that opportunity," said John Thomas School of Discovery principal Josh Chastain.
Nixon wants to give Missouri kids another boost by restoring funding to early childhood education.
"By making sure kids enter kindergarten ready to learn, we prevent much more difficult and expensive academic problems from developing down the road," Nixon said.
He also wants to help all Missouri school districts achieve A+ designation by the end of the school year. It would give every child a chance to earn a scholarship for higher education.
"Folks that end their education by walking across and getting their diploma from high school are leaving short their opportunities for the rest of their lives," said Nixon.
"Our goal is to build our students' understanding of what they want to do," said Chastain.
When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Gibbs said, "police officer or something."
Nixon hopes more opportunities to learn will help Missouri kids achieve their dreams. He will be supporting each of the education proposals in his upcoming budget.
