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News Release: State Board of Education February Meeting Recap

The State Board of Education (State Board) unanimously denied multiple requests from Missouri school districts to start the 2026-2027 earlier than what’s allowed under state law. Also, during Tuesday’s meeting, St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) presented an update on the district’s progress following the Board’s reclassification decision in January.

Click here to read the full State Board of Education February Meeting Recap news release.

Ten Missouri High School Cybersecurity Teams Advance to Finals Today in Columbia

Ten Missouri high school teams have advanced to the finals of the seventh annual Missouri High School Cybersecurity Challenge, taking place today, February 17, in Columbia.

Students will compete in a four-hour, capture-the-flag event designed to test their ability to identify and prevent cybersecurity threats in a safe virtual environment.

The challenge is hosted by MOREnet with strong support from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and EnterpriseKC. This partnership reflects DESE’s commitment to preparing students for technology-driven careers and fostering cybersecurity awareness statewide.

Finalists were selected from 107 teams representing 25 schools after a rigorous virtual qualifying round. Schools advancing include Pattonville High School (three teams), Summit Technology Academy (three teams), Missouri Military Academy (two teams), Timberland High School, and Willow Springs High School.

Click here to learn more about the Missouri High School Cybersecurity Challenge.

Health Care Career Day | Feb. 27

Missouri’s annual Health Care Career Day set for Friday, February 27, is a statewide, virtual event taking students inside Missouri hospitals to learn about the hottest careers in health care and engage in real world learning.

Health Care Career Day was developed in partnership by the Missouri Chamber Foundation, the Missouri Hospital Association and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Click here to register and find out more about Health Care Career Day at https://mochamber.com/event/health-care-career-day/.

Love Teaching Week | Feb. 14 - 21

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month

Reminder: Severe Weather Preparedness Week is March 2 - 6

With Missouri’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week set for March 2-6, 2026, the National Weather Service has scheduled Missouri’s 2026 statewide tornado drill for Wednesday, March 4, at 11 a.m.

Click here for Severe Weather Preparedness information.

Click here to utilize Missouri’s “Ready in 3” program to create a plan, prepare a kit, and listen for information regarding severe weather emergencies.

Free Resource: 50 Years of Early Childhood Inclusion

United Services for Children, a nonprofit serving children with developmental delays for 50 years, has launched a free digital companion to its Missouri Humanities Council-funded exhibit, “Honoring 50 Years of Early Childhood Inclusion: A Humanities Reflection."

The site features educator discussion guides, audio tours, curated archival materials, and family resources tracing Missouri’s journey from institutionalization to inclusion across five historical eras. Resources are designed for use in classrooms, libraries, and professional development settings.

Click here to access the "Honoring 50 Years of Early Childhood Inclusion: A Humanities Reflection" digital companion here https://unitedservicesforchildren.org/inclusion-50/#

For more information about United Services for Children, contact Dr. Julie Turner at jturner@unitedsrvcs.org or 636-926-2700 x509.

Reminder: Submit Literacy Summit proposal by Feb. 27

The Office of Literacy is accepting proposals to present at Literacy Summit 2026. Proposals are due by 11:59 pm on Friday, February 27, 2026.

Click here to learn more about the upcoming Literacy Summit, and to submit your proposal to present.