Communications
DESE Kicks Off the Governor’s Workforce of the Future Challenge
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of College and Career Readiness, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD), kicked off the Governor’s Workforce of the Future Challenge yesterday in Jefferson City.
Governor Kehoe Appoints Four New Members to the State Board of Education
Governor Kehoe Appoints Four New Members to the State Board of Education
Yesterday, Governor Mike Kehoe appointed four new members to the State Board of Education (State Board), Michael Matousek (Kansas City), Kenneth "Brooks" Miller Jr. (Sunrise Beach), Jon Otto (Kansas City), and Thomas G. Prater, M.D. (Springfield). These appointments are now subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate in the coming weeks.
Former Superintendent Named Deputy Commissioner of Financial & Administrative Services
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announces Dr. Kyle Kruse will serve as the new deputy commissioner of the Division of Financial and Administrative Services. He will assume the position on June 2, 2025. Dr. Kari Monsees, current deputy commissioner, announced his retirement earlier this year, effective June 30, 2025. Drs. Monsees and Kruse will work together during the month of June to allow for a smooth transition.
The Office of Childhood Kicks Off Listening Sessions on Child Care Licensing Rules
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Childhood (OOC) has kicked off its series of statewide in-person listening sessions. Feedback from the listening sessions will inform the rewriting of child care licensing rules the OOC was charged with completing, per Governor Mike Kehoe’s Executive Order 25-15.
Nine School Districts and Sixteen Schools Receive Purple Star Designation
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced today the school districts and individual school buildings that earned the 2025 Missouri Purple Star designation — the fourth round of designees in this statewide program:
2025 Purple Star School Districts
DESE Completes Reviews of Child Care Subsidy Backlog
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary’s (DESE’s) Office of Childhood (OOC) has fully reviewed the child care subsidy backlog in family applications for child care assistance, provider applications for subsidy contracts, and provider payment reviews through September. Payments will continue to be sent over the coming weeks. Starting in March, the OOC will be reviewing family applications and provider contract applications within the OOC’s expected processing time.
Public Hearings Scheduled for Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation (MVR) will conduct two virtual public hearings on vocational rehabilitation services in March to gain feedback on ways to improve services for individuals with disabilities.
Input is welcome regarding MVR’s goals and priorities starting on page 17 in the state plan draft.
Public Hearings Schedule
DESE Awards Career and Technical Education Limited Access Grants
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has awarded $2 million to six local education agencies (LEAs) under the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Limited Access Grant. Each LEA was eligible to receive up to $400,000 to expand CTE programming for the 2025-26 school year where access to high-quality learning opportunities has been limited.
Missouri Scores Remain Steady on “The Nation’s Report Card”
Missouri’s 2024 scores on national math and reading assessments remained steady in both grades 4 and 8, according to data released today by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Missouri’s scores statistically aligned with the national average on all four NAEP assessments.