The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced today that Missouri has been awarded a one-year, $4 million Preschool Development Birth Through Age Five Planning Grant (PDG B-5) from the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has announced the 17 Regional Teachers of the Year who have been selected as semi-finalists for the 2023 Missouri Teacher of the Year award. The Teacher of the Year program spotlights the positive impact excellent teachers have on their students.

The list of semi-finalists includes teachers from multiple grade levels and subject areas:

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released preliminary 2021-22 Grade Level and End-of-Course (EOC) assessment statewide data during the August 16 State Board of Education meeting. The results represent data from the required state assessments: English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for grades 3-8; Science for grades 5 and 8; and English II, Algebra I, Biology, and Government EOCs. Results for optional EOC assessments (American History, Algebra I, English I, Geometry, and Physical Science) were released as well.  

Six Pioneers in Education will be in the spotlight on Monday, August 1, in recognition of their commitment and contributions to public education in Missouri. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will recognize the 2022 Pioneers during the 61^st Annual Cooperative Conference for School Administrators. The ceremony will take place during a luncheon with more than 600 school leaders in attendance.

At today’s State Board of Education (State Board) meeting, board members accepted the recommendation made by Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven to continue with a transition of the Riverview Gardens School District Special Administrative Board (SAB) governance to a seven-member local governing board.

Two Missouri high school seniors were selected as members of the 58^th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars along with 161 students from across the country. The president recognized the outstanding students listed below for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.

The Missouri General Assembly today passed the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) $10 billion budget, which includes:

Two St. Louis area teachers were presented the national Milken Educator Award today:

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced today the school districts and individual school buildings that earned the 2022 Missouri Purple Star designation — the first ever for the State of Missouri:

2022 Purple Star School Districts

Two Missouri entities — a public school district and a private school — earned recognition from the U.S. Department of Education today as 2022 Green Ribbon Schools thanks to their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure sustainability education.

The 2022 honorees in Missouri include: