DESE Update: August 18, 2026

Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. sent this bulletin at 08/18/2026 04:49 PM CDT

Welcome Back to School

We’re pleased to share a special video message from Interim Commissioner of Education Dr. Stacey Preis, as we kick off a new school year. In the video, the Commissioner reflects on the dedication of Missouri’s educators, celebrates the achievements of our students, and highlights the exciting opportunities ahead.

We invite you to watch and share the back-to-school message as we begin another year of learning, growth, and partnership in supporting all Missouri students.

Missouri MAP Scores Reflect Steady Progress

DESE presented preliminary statewide 2025-26 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) results at the August State Board of Education meeting. Initial findings reveal modest improvement in English language arts (ELA), government, mathematics, and science across both grade-level and high school end-of-course (EOC) assessments.

Honoring Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge

The Missouri State Board of Education recently hosted a celebration honoring Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge for her six years of dedicated service on the State Board.

Her leadership and commitment have made a lasting impact on students, educators, families, and communities across Missouri.

Read the full release to learn more about Pamela Westbrooks‑Hodge’s leadership and contributions to Missouri education

New State Board Members Sworn In

The State Board welcomed two new members at today’s meeting.

Michael McDonald, a veteran math teacher from Kansas City, was sworn in as the first active classroom teacher appointed to the State Board, filling its nonvoting teacher representative seat.

The State Board also administered the oath of office to Vincent Schoemehl Jr. of St. Louis City, a retired civic and education leader and former mayor, who will represent the 1st Congressional District.

Post + Tag @MOEducation = Spotlight

Want your story seen statewide? Share classroom highlights, student successes, CTE projects, campus events, and educator spotlights — then tag @MOEducation on Facebook, X, and Instagram. We’ll reshare so families across Missouri can join the celebration.

New School Safety Tools for the Start of the Year

SchoolSafety.gov has kicked off its annual Back-to-School Campaign, a month-long effort providing guidance and resources to help schools and districts start the year safely. The campaign underscores a community-based approach, highlighting how educators, partners, and families all play a role in supporting school safety.

Throughout the next four weeks, the campaign will share tools to strengthen emergency preparedness, prevent bullying and violence, and promote online safety.

Follow @SchoolSafetyGov on X and Facebook for updates year-round.

Regroup with Aspire®

Aspire® grads from DESE’s 2024–25 pilot and 2025–26 Read, Lead, Exceed trainings: join a 9 a.m. – noon regroup at your Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) for fast networking, problem‑solving, and success sharing — facilitated by Lisa Scroggs, DESE Director of Secondary Literacy. Seats are limited.

Trainings dates and locations:

Oct. 15: Northeast RPDC
Oct. 16: Heart of Missouri RPDC
Oct. 19: Central RPDC
Oct. 23: Agency for Teaching, Leading, and Learning RPDC
Oct. 26: Southwest Center for Educational Excellence
Oct. 28: Southeast RPDC
Oct. 29: South Central RPDC
Nov. 9: Kansas City RPDC
Nov. 10: Northwest RPDC
Nov. 16: EdPlus RPDC

Office of Literacy: Virtual Office Hours

Educators are invited to join DESE’s Office of Literacy for Virtual Office Hours from 10–11 a.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month (except December). After brief updates, the team will host Q&A on Reading Success Plans, K–12 resources, professional learning, school libraries, and more.

Questions? Email literacy@dese.mo.gov.

Lead‑Safe Habits for School Water Use

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.

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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