The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has awarded nearly $2 million to seven local education agencies (LEAs) under the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Limited Access Grant (LAG). Each selected LEA was eligible to receive up to $400,000 to expand CTE programming for the 2026-27 school year where access to high-quality learning opportunities has been limited.

These grant funds will address current limitations for students to access Health Science and Skilled Technical Sciences programming. This year’s recipients will be providing prerequisite courses that prepare students for CTE programs and increase the capacity of programs such as Graphic Arts Occupations, Project Lead The Way Biomedical Sciences, transportation to an Area Career Center, and facility expansions for additional and growing CTE programs.

“This will be a fantastic resource for our schools to prepare the next generation of Missouri’s workforce,” said Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger. “This work is vital to fulfilling our mission to improve lives through education.”

The LAG recipients and award totals:

• Allen Village Charter School: $48,750
• Owensville High School, Gasconade County R-II School District: $295,317
• Hannibal Career and Technical Center, Hannibal 60 School District: $400,000
• Piney River Technical School, Houston R-I School District: $400,000
• Pike-Lincoln Technical Center, Pike Co. R-III School District: $77,011.40
• Raymore-Peculiar LEAD Center, Raymore-Peculiar School District: $370,163.60
• Sikeston Career and Technology Center, Sikeston Public Schools: $400,000