DESE Update: July 28, 2026

Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. sent this bulletin at 07/28/2026 03:00 PM CDT

News Update: DESE Honors Pioneers in Education at 65th Annual Cooperative Conference for School Administrators

Five individuals were honored as DESE's Pioneers in Education during the 65th annual Cooperative Conference for School Administrators in Osage Beach.

DESE's 65th Annual Cooperative Conference for School Administrators Conclusion

Thank you so much for attending DESE’s 65^th Annual Cooperative Conference for School Administrators! We would appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete this survey to share your feedback about our conference to help us improve this event for the future. The survey will close at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5.

Click here to access all of the presentation materials from the conference, including slides from each breakout session, as well as this morning’s “School Finance Update” from Deputy Commissioner of Financial and Administrative Services Dr. Kyle Kruse.

ESSA Report Cards — Accessible to All Families

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), DESE must provide State, District (district or charter), and Building Level Report Cards in languages families can understand. Instructions for LEAs to translate Report Cards are available on the ESSA Accountability webpage. This applies to the Sequel Survey Report System (SSRS) versions of the state, district, and school reports.

Questions? Email dese.essa@dese.mo.gov or call 573-751-4104 (Jocelyn Strand).

Summer Learning Made Simple for Families

Learning shows up in all kinds of places — at home, in the library, outdoors, and throughout daily life.

This summer, DESE is offering easy ideas and helpful activities so families can support their children’s learning, build confidence, and prepare for a great start to the new school year.

Follow along and be part of the conversation:

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Wastewater Sampling Program for School Safety

In December 2025, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) launched a voluntary wastewater sampling program to detect illicit drugs in schools. More than 40 LEAs participated, and findings revealed concerning levels of dangerous drugs. Effective with the 2026–27 school year, and pursuant to HB 2002 and HB 2008 signed on June 30, 2026, DPS will randomly select LEAs across the nine MSHP troops for required participation to monitor for substances such as fentanyl and nitazenes. If selected, your LEA must participate.

Questions or priority requests: Terressa Sherlock, Terressa.sherlock@dps.mo.gov, 573-751-5427.

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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