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Michael McDonald, of Kansas City, and Vincent Schoemehl Jr., of St. Louis City, were appointed by Governor Mike Kehoe to the Missouri State Board of Education (State Board).
McDonald, a current math teacher in the Park Hill School District, becomes the first active classroom teacher to serve on the State Board.
Vincent is a retired civic and education leader and former mayor who will represent the 1st Congressional District on the State Board.
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Highlights from the 2026 Cooperative Conference for School Administrators are now available. The DESE Flickr album showcases keynote moments, practical sessions, and the connections that power continuous improvement across Missouri schools. Scroll through the gallery to revisit ideas, share with your team, and spark discussion at your next staff meeting.
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The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) remain committed to helping schools and childcare facilities provide safe drinking water. Many Missouri facilities have already implemented the actions required under the Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act (Statute 160.077 RSMo ) to reduce lead exposure in children. Additional preventative measures can further lower risk.
Recommended practices for all buildings:
- Use cold water for drinking and cooking—hot water lines may contain more lead than cold lines.
- Flush unused lines for 5–10 minutes if a drinking or cooking water source hasn’t been used for two or more days.
- As a routine practice, run water for 15–30 seconds (or until it turns cold and reaches a steady temperature) before use, especially after periods of inactivity.
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The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 7th, and runs through midnight on Sunday, August 9th. During this time, state sales tax is exempt from certain back-to-school purchases.
View a full list of qualified tax-exempt items here.
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2026 DESE Literacy Summit Marks Five Years of Growth
Nearly 600 Missouri educators from 130 LEAs attended the 2026 Literacy Summit July 21–22 at Margaritaville Lake Resort. Keynote Natalie Wexler opened the event and led two tailored sessions for elementary and secondary educators. Over two days, literacy leaders delivered 80 breakouts, and more than a dozen vendors of DESE-approved materials and services engaged participants.
Now in its fifth year, the Summit — an initiative of the Office of Literacy in DESE’s Office of College and Career Readiness — has grown significantly since its start in 2022.
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Effective July 1, 2026, local education agencies may not require families to participate in the Parents as
Teachers (PAT) program in order to access or enroll in any other district program.
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2027 Exemplary School Library Program Applications Available
Now in its seventh year, DESE’s Exemplary School Library Program (ESLP) recognition continues to honor school library programs across Missouri that demonstrate excellence in instruction, leadership, library management, library environment, and staffing. During the 2025–26 school year, 14 school libraries earned this distinction.
Applications for the 2026–27 ESLP recognition are now available by request from school librarians. Please send requests or questions to Literacy@dese.mo.gov.
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DESE will accept applications for the Teacher
Baseline Salary Grant (TBSG) from August 1- August 31. Qualifying local education agencies (LEAs) can apply for
grant funds to boost teacher salary levels to establish a new baseline amount.
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- AI 101: Back to Basics (Free Webinar)
- Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026
- Noon – 1 p.m.
Join Mark Henderson, MSBA’s Director of AI Strategy and Services, for a practical primer on AI — what it is, how it works, and why it matters for school leaders right now. Includes live Q&A. Consider it your back‑to‑school refresher ahead of the AI x Education Symposium in October.
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Missouri law requires each individual substitute teacher to complete the DESE anonymous web-based survey at the end of each day they substitute teach.
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The Missouri Department of Mental Health is encouraging Missourians to take part in the Digital Detox Challenge throughout August in recognition of National Wellness Month. While technology remains an essential part of teaching, learning, and connecting students with meaningful opportunities, this challenge focuses on promoting healthy tech habits outside the classroom to support overall well‑being.
Participants can download the Digital Detox Challenge Calendar, explore weekly activities and reflections, and access a full Tool-Kit designed to help individuals and workplaces engage in the effort.
Learn more and join the Digital Detox Challenge
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Summer Learning: Back‑to‑School Ready
As summer winds down, learning is still everywhere — at home, in the library, outdoors, and in everyday moments. DESE has simple ideas and quick activities to help families keep skills sharp, build confidence, and head into the new school year ready to go.
Follow along and be part of the conversation:
Facebook | X | Instagram | LinkedIn
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