Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
State Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | K-12 Education
Recent News About Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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Kimberly Sixta named 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year
Kimberly Sixta, a Social Studies teacher at Ruskin High School in the Hickman Mills C-1 School District, has been named the 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year.
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Missouri education department seeks public input for updated statewide strategic plan
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the State Board of Education are asking for public input as they work to update the statewide education strategic plan.
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Missouri education department proposes removal of over 170 child care licensing rules
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood has completed its review of state child care licensing rules, following the requirements set by Executive Order 25-15.
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Missouri names seven finalists for 2026 Teacher of the Year award
Seven educators have been named finalists for the 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year award, according to an announcement from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
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Missouri names semi-finalists for 2026 Teacher of the Year award
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has named 17 educators as semi-finalists for the 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year award.
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State Board approves closure plan for twelve Missouri Schools for Severely Disabled
The State Board of Education has approved the permanent closure of 12 Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled (MSSD) operated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
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Missouri releases preliminary MAP assessment results showing statewide improvement
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has released preliminary results from the 2024-25 statewide Grade Level and End-of-Course (EOC) assessments.
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Missouri selected for federal pilot on innovative student assessment system
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has been selected by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA) Program, starting with the 2025-26 school year.
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Missouri DESE awards nearly $2M in grants for career education expansion
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has allocated nearly $2 million to seven local education agencies through the Career and Technical Education Limited Access Grant.
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Missouri names regional teachers of year for 2026
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has revealed the 34 Regional Teachers of the Year who will represent their regions in the 2026 Missouri Teacher of the Year Program.
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Missouri honors six pioneers in education at annual conference
Six individuals will be recognized for their contributions to public education in Missouri during the 64th Annual Cooperative Conference for School Administrators.
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Missouri's DESE selects 80 agencies for $49 million literacy grant
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has announced the selection of 80 early learning programs and public schools to benefit from a $49 million grant provided by the U.S. Department of Education’s Comprehensive...
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Governor signs bill enhancing tools for Missouri schools
Governor Mike Kehoe has signed Senate Bill 68, which introduces new measures to assist local education agencies in Missouri.
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Governor Kehoe signs $8.6 billion education budget for fiscal year 2026
Governor Mike Kehoe has signed the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) $8.6 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026.
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Missouri home visiting programs restructured with new administrative oversight
In the recent legislative session, the Missouri General Assembly made amendments to restructure the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Office of Childhood Home Visiting section.
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Missouri launches task force to modernize K-12 school funding
Governor Mike Kehoe and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) have initiated the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force in Jefferson City.
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Missouri names eight public schools as 2025 Gold Star honorees
Eight Missouri schools have been named as 2025 Gold Star Schools by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
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Missouri launches initiative to enhance career and technical education systems
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) Office of College and Career Readiness, in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD), launched the Governor’s Workforce...
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Governor Kehoe nominates four new members to Missouri State Board of Education
Governor Mike Kehoe has appointed four individuals to serve on the Missouri State Board of Education.
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Governor Kehoe appoints new members to Missouri State Board of Education
Governor Mike Kehoe has announced the appointment of four new members to the State Board of Education.