Dr Jon Turner
@jonsturner.bsky.social
Rural schools advocate and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Missouri State University. Opinions are my own. Reposts are not endorsements. Public schools unite our country.
25 years ago today. A true education governor. His leadership is missed.
October 17, 2025 at 3:36 AM
25 years ago today. A true education governor. His leadership is missed.
Happy 101st Heavenly Birthday, President Carter!
October 2, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Happy 101st Heavenly Birthday, President Carter!
Missouri's "school choice" program siphons millions from public schools through tax credits. 90 %+ of "scholarships" flow to KC, STL & SGF, only 0.2 % to students with disabilities. Rural and truly low‑income families see almost none of $. Learn more👉t.ly/NdPR0
September 14, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Missouri's "school choice" program siphons millions from public schools through tax credits. 90 %+ of "scholarships" flow to KC, STL & SGF, only 0.2 % to students with disabilities. Rural and truly low‑income families see almost none of $. Learn more👉t.ly/NdPR0
Some federal education programs currently on the chopping block may be saved by name changes. AmeriCorps community service program may become “America First Corps” and Pell grants may become “Trump Grants.” 😆 @MOEducation @MASALeaders www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
House Lawmakers Endorse Some—But Not All—of Trump's Education Cuts
House budget writers are proposing to cut Title I funding by nearly $4 billion.
www.edweek.org
September 4, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Some federal education programs currently on the chopping block may be saved by name changes. AmeriCorps community service program may become “America First Corps” and Pell grants may become “Trump Grants.” 😆 @MOEducation @MASALeaders www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
A fun reminder that @MoEducation rural kids hoping to graduate from high school had to head to town, where "board and room may be obtained at a reasonable rate." From the Cabool Enterprise 100 years ago today, Aug 27, 1925. @MASALeaders @MSTA @nrea1 @CaboolSchools
August 27, 2025 at 12:57 PM
A fun reminder that @MoEducation rural kids hoping to graduate from high school had to head to town, where "board and room may be obtained at a reasonable rate." From the Cabool Enterprise 100 years ago today, Aug 27, 1925. @MASALeaders @MSTA @nrea1 @CaboolSchools
Something to think about. In the 7-county Ozark Workforce Development area (around Springfield, Bolivar, Buffalo, Ozark, Nixa, Branson) more than 80% of workers in Christian, Dallas, and Stone counties work outside their home county. meric.mo.gov/media/pdf/oz...
August 24, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Something to think about. In the 7-county Ozark Workforce Development area (around Springfield, Bolivar, Buffalo, Ozark, Nixa, Branson) more than 80% of workers in Christian, Dallas, and Stone counties work outside their home county. meric.mo.gov/media/pdf/oz...
Something to think about. In the 7-county Ozark Workforce Development area (around Springfield, Bolivar, Buffalo, Ozark, Nixa, Branson) --Health Care and Social Assistance are the top employers. Of all workers in the area, 22.4% are 55 or older. meric.mo.gov/media/pdf/oz...
August 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Something to think about. In the 7-county Ozark Workforce Development area (around Springfield, Bolivar, Buffalo, Ozark, Nixa, Branson) --Health Care and Social Assistance are the top employers. Of all workers in the area, 22.4% are 55 or older. meric.mo.gov/media/pdf/oz...
When I watch or listen or read the news I find myself thinking of the last lines of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson.
August 23, 2025 at 6:12 PM
When I watch or listen or read the news I find myself thinking of the last lines of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson.
Happy to join Iowa Public Radio earlier this week for extended talk about the 4-day school week on the show "Talk of Iowa". Joined some great experts. @npaseka @NPRMidwestNews @uoeducation Take a listen 👉t.ly/v1oZx
August 22, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Happy to join Iowa Public Radio earlier this week for extended talk about the 4-day school week on the show "Talk of Iowa". Joined some great experts. @npaseka @NPRMidwestNews @uoeducation Take a listen 👉t.ly/v1oZx
Extremely proud to be part of @MissouriState team that started "Pathways for Paras", one of the largest K-12 school apprentice programs in the U.S. This year, we're in over 140 Missouri school districts, helping nearly 400 paras finish their Special Education degree while they continue to work! 👇
August 20, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Extremely proud to be part of @MissouriState team that started "Pathways for Paras", one of the largest K-12 school apprentice programs in the U.S. This year, we're in over 140 Missouri school districts, helping nearly 400 paras finish their Special Education degree while they continue to work! 👇
Missouri will have at least 182 four-day school week districts this year, adding Kennett, Campbell, Ash Grove, and Smithton-- 35% of all public non-charters schools. This mainly due to teacher shortages and the inability to compete with wealthier districts on salaries. More info www.fourdayweek.us.
Four-Day School Week Resources Center
Interested in the Four-Day School week?
www.fourdayweek.us
August 9, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Missouri will have at least 182 four-day school week districts this year, adding Kennett, Campbell, Ash Grove, and Smithton-- 35% of all public non-charters schools. This mainly due to teacher shortages and the inability to compete with wealthier districts on salaries. More info www.fourdayweek.us.
Arkansas teachers whose home is in another state. In 2024, Ark raised minimum teacher salary to $50k, while Missouri remained at $40k. Increase is statistically significant (p < 0.01), meaning it’s not due to chance. Higher pay is successfully attracting out-of-state teachers—especially from MO.
July 10, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Arkansas teachers whose home is in another state. In 2024, Ark raised minimum teacher salary to $50k, while Missouri remained at $40k. Increase is statistically significant (p < 0.01), meaning it’s not due to chance. Higher pay is successfully attracting out-of-state teachers—especially from MO.
Why Principals Matter in School Tech Integration. A instructional tech coach discusses why principals should play a role in tech integration. @MOASSP @MoAESP www.edweek.org/technology/w...
Why Principals Matter in School Tech Integration
A instructional tech coach discusses why principals should play a role in tech integration.
www.edweek.org
July 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Why Principals Matter in School Tech Integration. A instructional tech coach discusses why principals should play a role in tech integration. @MOASSP @MoAESP www.edweek.org/technology/w...
Teachers enjoy using AI for teaching, but are not so sure about students using it. Many teachers feel AI use is "cheating." All agree it is "big business" with lots of profit potential. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/u...
Teachers Worry About Students Using A.I. But They Love It for Themselves.
www.nytimes.com
July 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Teachers enjoy using AI for teaching, but are not so sure about students using it. Many teachers feel AI use is "cheating." All agree it is "big business" with lots of profit potential. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/u...
Missouri governor cuts millions from state budget for teacher recruitment program but leaves in $50 million for private school vouchers. 🙄 @MoEducation @MSTA @MissouriNEA www.ky3.com/2025/07/01/t...
Teacher recruitment program on the chopping block after Missouri governor cuts $300 million from state budget
Recruiting new teachers may become more difficult for Missouri schools after the governor cut some programs from the state budget.
www.ky3.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Missouri governor cuts millions from state budget for teacher recruitment program but leaves in $50 million for private school vouchers. 🙄 @MoEducation @MSTA @MissouriNEA www.ky3.com/2025/07/01/t...
Responding to Supreme Court ruling allowing parents to remove students when certain books are discussed, Justice Sotomayor comments “The damage to America’s public school system will be profound. Teachers will have to stop classes merely to usher children in and out, which will cripple schools...”
June 28, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Responding to Supreme Court ruling allowing parents to remove students when certain books are discussed, Justice Sotomayor comments “The damage to America’s public school system will be profound. Teachers will have to stop classes merely to usher children in and out, which will cripple schools...”
Grateful for the values my public school education instilled in me. "Back in the day," pledging "with Liberty and Justice for all" was not controversial. I think most of us remember the "Liberty and Justice" part---it's the "for all" that has gotten wobbly.
June 25, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Grateful for the values my public school education instilled in me. "Back in the day," pledging "with Liberty and Justice for all" was not controversial. I think most of us remember the "Liberty and Justice" part---it's the "for all" that has gotten wobbly.
7 Strategies to Prepare Educators to Teach With AI. @MSTA @MissouriNEA @MOASSP @MoAESP www.edweek.org/technology/7...
7 Strategies to Prepare Educators to Teach With AI
Before educators can use AI to teach, they need to have a basic understanding of what AI is, experts said.
www.edweek.org
June 14, 2025 at 12:19 PM
7 Strategies to Prepare Educators to Teach With AI. @MSTA @MissouriNEA @MOASSP @MoAESP www.edweek.org/technology/7...
Even if Missouri rural voters split evenly between the Gubernatorial candidates in 2024 Democrats lose by large margins. Net gain (~252k votes) falls well short of the 605k margin in actual vote. To overcome deficit, Dems would need significant gains in suburban and urban regions—not just a rural.
June 9, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Even if Missouri rural voters split evenly between the Gubernatorial candidates in 2024 Democrats lose by large margins. Net gain (~252k votes) falls well short of the 605k margin in actual vote. To overcome deficit, Dems would need significant gains in suburban and urban regions—not just a rural.
Graph: Percent change in public high school graduate projections by race and ethnicity (Race and Ethnicity) buff.ly/K5Lfpx1
May 19, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Graph: Percent change in public high school graduate projections by race and ethnicity (Race and Ethnicity) buff.ly/K5Lfpx1
Cabool Schools graduating class of 2025! #Congrats! Photo at bottom shows graduates that went K-12 TOGETHER in Cabool. This community of education, knowing each other over many years, is what school consolidation crew in legislature don't understand about rural schools.
May 18, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Cabool Schools graduating class of 2025! #Congrats! Photo at bottom shows graduates that went K-12 TOGETHER in Cabool. This community of education, knowing each other over many years, is what school consolidation crew in legislature don't understand about rural schools.
Graph: Projected percent change in high school graduates, 2023 to 2041 (Geographic Location) buff.ly/XkC8Gp9
May 16, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Graph: Projected percent change in high school graduates, 2023 to 2041 (Geographic Location) buff.ly/XkC8Gp9
Walmart warned Thursday that price increases look certain — possibly within weeks — reinforcing that even the world’s biggest retailer is not immune from tariffs.
May 15, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Walmart warned Thursday that price increases look certain — possibly within weeks — reinforcing that even the world’s biggest retailer is not immune from tariffs.
Happy Birthday President Truman. Born in Lamar, Missouri on May 8, 1884! "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” A graduate of Independence High School in 1901!-he’s on back row—can you find him?🇺🇸
May 8, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Happy Birthday President Truman. Born in Lamar, Missouri on May 8, 1884! "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” A graduate of Independence High School in 1901!-he’s on back row—can you find him?🇺🇸
Newest research from @MissouriState on 4-day school week- in the largest 4 day in @MoEducation @ISDSchools, leading up to 1st year on 4-day, applications up 360%, and 63% applicants rated 4day schedule top priority. @SLU_Prime @MASALeaders @nrea1 www.primecenter.org/education-re...
The Impact of a Four-Day School Week on Teacher Recruitment: A Case Study of a Large Urban School District — PRiME Center | St. Louis University
Currently, over a third of public school districts in Missouri utilize a four-day school week (4DSW). The overwhelming majority that currently use a shortened school week are small, rural school…
buff.ly
May 7, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Newest research from @MissouriState on 4-day school week- in the largest 4 day in @MoEducation @ISDSchools, leading up to 1st year on 4-day, applications up 360%, and 63% applicants rated 4day schedule top priority. @SLU_Prime @MASALeaders @nrea1 www.primecenter.org/education-re...