Top education official in the state says she’s resigning

Missouri’s top education official says she will resign at the end of this year. State Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro announced her departure Monday. She has served as head of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education since 2009.

Over the past year, Nicastro had been criticized by some state legislators and officials for her handling of high-profile issues.

An audit released last month faulted the department’s process for hiring a consultant for a potential overhaul of the Kansas City School District. Some state lawmakers also have been upset with the way the department has handled a student-transfer law for unaccredited districts in the St. Louis area.

During Nicastro’s tenure, the department implemented the Common Core educational standards, which some lawmakers oppose. It also adopted a new school accreditation system.