DESE Update: April 28, 2026

Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. sent this bulletin at 04/28/2026 02:00 PM CDT

You Use It — Now Help Us Improve It

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has a fresh new website — and now it’s your turn to weigh in.

We’re building the next phase of improvements and want to know what’s working for you. Which pages do you visit most? What helps you get your work done faster? Your feedback will help shape what comes next and ensure the site continues to support educators and stakeholders in meaningful ways.

Take a few minutes to complete a quick survey and share your input — we’re listening

Key Dates, Guidance Released for 2026 School Performance Reporting

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has released key timelines for the 2026 Annual Performance Report (APR). Districts should ensure data is accurate and complete, and submit any corrections or appeals during designated windows through DESE Application Sign-In in the Missouri Comprehensive Data System. Changes made outside these windows will not be reflected.

Access the full Administrative Memo regarding key timelines for the 2026 APR

Upcoming Webinar: ParaPro Transition to ParaPathways

Educational Testing Service (ETS) will introduce a new paraprofessional assessment, ParaPathways, beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The ParaPro assessment will be closed after Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

To support districts during this transition, ETS will host an informational webinar on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 9 a.m. The session will provide an overview of ParaPathways, outline key changes, and share what districts can expect moving forward.

The webinar will be recorded. A PowerPoint slide deck will be shared with all registered participants.

Register for the ETS informational webinar on Thursday, May 7, 2026

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Last Chance: Career Ladder Applications

The 2026 – 27 Missouri Career Development and Teacher Excellence Plan (Career Ladder Program) applications are due Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Learn more about the 2026 – 27 Missouri Career Development and Teacher Excellence Plan

Review, Update, Improve Access

With the federal accessibility deadline extended, schools have more time to build on the progress already underway. Now is a great time to review and update existing materials and ensure new content is accessible from the start, helping every student fully engage in learning.

Build Stronger Student Readers

Reading expectations rise quickly in middle and high school — and educators need the right tools to keep students on track. Aspire® training equips teachers with practical strategies to support stronger readers and better outcomes.

Through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) Read, Lead, Exceed initiative, more than 900 Missouri educators have already taken part — at no cost — this year.

Now enrolling educators in grades 6 – 9 for the 2026 – 27 school year. Spots are limited, and registration closes Monday, June 15, 2026.

Register and learn more about Aspire Training

Learning Blade: Ready for Liftoff

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education helps educators prepare for 2026 – 27 with Learning Blade:

500+ standards-aligned Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), computer science, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) lessons
Grades 5 – 9
Free professional development

Access details and schedule your summer or back-to-school Learning Blade session

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Tell Us About Your First Year

Your first year in education matters — and so does your voice.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) invites first-year educators and their supervisors to share their experiences through the First-Year Educator Survey. Your feedback helps strengthen preparation and support students across Missouri.

Complete the survey by Friday, June 5, 2026.

Access additional information on DESE’s First-Year Educator Survey

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Don't Miss the Literacy Summit

Register now for the The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Literacy Summit happening Monday, July 20 – Tuesday, 21, 2026, hosted by DESE’s Office of Literacy.

This two-day conference offers high-quality professional learning for K – 12 educators across all content areas.

Registration closes Friday, June 12, 2026.

Register for the Literacy Summit

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by statute in its programs and activities. Inquiries related to department programs and to the location of services, activities, and facilities that are accessible by persons with disabilities may be directed to the Jefferson State Office Building, Director of Civil Rights Compliance and MOA Coordinator (Title VI/Title VII/Title IX/504/ADA/ADAAA/Age Act/GINA/USDA Title VI), 7th Floor, 205 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480; telephone number 573-522-1775 or TTY 800-735-2966; fax number 573-522-4883; email civilrights@dese.mo.gov.

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