Standards guide
Missouri Learning Standards vs. Common Core in K-5 Math
Missouri built its Learning Standards (MLS) from the same research base as the Common Core State Standards, then rewrote, resequenced and renamed the expectations through Missouri work groups. For K-5 mathematics the mathematics is close to identical; the codes, strand names and a handful of grade placements are not. That mismatch is what trips up districts buying curriculum and assessments written for Common Core.
Where the two frameworks differ
| Topic | Common Core (CCSS-M) | Missouri Learning Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Naming | Coded by grade and domain, e.g. 3.OA.A.1. | Coded by grade, strand and expectation, e.g. 3.RA.A.1 (Relationships and Algebraic Thinking). |
| Strands / domains | Counting & Cardinality, Operations & Algebraic Thinking, Number & Operations in Base Ten, Fractions, Measurement & Data, Geometry. | Number Sense, Number Sense & Operations in Base Ten, Relationships & Algebraic Thinking, Geometry & Measurement, Data & Statistics. |
| Grouping of number work | Separates counting/cardinality from base-ten work in early grades. | Folds counting and place value into Number Sense and NBT strands with Missouri-specific wording. |
| Fractions | Standalone Number & Operations — Fractions domain from grade 3. | Fraction expectations sit inside the number strands, sequenced across grades 3-5. |
| Assessment | Consortium assessments (SBAC / PARCC) in adopting states. | Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Grade-Level Assessments, criterion-referenced to MLS. |
| Data and statistics | Measurement & Data combines measurement with data work. | Data & Statistics is called out separately, giving data representation its own reporting line. |
What stays the same
- Conceptual understanding, procedural fluency and application carry equal weight.
- The K-5 progression of counting, place value, operations, fractions and geometry holds.
- Mathematical practices (problem solving, reasoning, modeling) appear in both frameworks.
- Most Common Core aligned K-5 lessons map cleanly onto an MLS expectation.
How The Number Plug handles the translation
Every diagnostic item in The Number Plug is written to a Missouri Learning Standard expectation, and every scale score and placement level is criterion-referenced to MLS — not to a national norm group. Results roll up into four teacher-friendly domains so a Common Core-trained staff can read them on day one:
Number Sense
Counting, place value, comparison and magnitude — the MLS Number Sense and NBT strands.
Operations
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and fluency — MLS NBT and Relationships & Algebraic Thinking.
Algebraic Thinking
Patterns, properties, equations and problem structures from the Relationships & Algebraic Thinking strand.
Geometry & Measurement
Shape, attributes, measurement and data representation from Geometry & Measurement and Data & Statistics.
Checklist for districts moving off Common Core materials
- Re-code your pacing guide to MLS expectation codes, grade by grade.
- Flag expectations that shift grade levels so no skill is skipped in the transition year.
- Report progress by MLS strand, since MAP results come back that way.
- Use a diagnostic that is criterion-referenced to MLS rather than norm-referenced.
Browse the full grade-level expectations in our Missouri Learning Standards library or see how the three-point diagnostic cycle connects results to instruction.