MO DESE News

Missouri Teacher of Year Nominations Due April 14, 2026

MO DESE announced the opening of nominations for the 2026 Regional Teacher of the Year program, the first step toward becoming the 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year. Nominations are open to any educator and are due by April 14, 2026. Regional selection committees will choose 34 teachers to receive Regional Teacher of the Year recognition, with the state winner to be announced in September.

State Board Denies School Start Date Exemption Requests

The Missouri State Board of Education unanimously denied exemption requests from eight school districts seeking to start the 2026-27 school year earlier than permitted under state law. The Board clarified that statutory school start dates cannot qualify as highly unusual or extenuating circumstances for exemption purposes. The State Board also reclassified St. Louis Public Schools from accredited to provisionally accredited status and approved revisions to Special Education teacher certification requirements.

Missouri Implements Waitlist for Child Care Subsidy Program Starting March 2026

MO DESE's Office of Childhood will implement a waitlist for Missouri's Child Care Subsidy Program starting March 1, 2026, due to 19% growth in participation since January 2025, with over 27,000 children currently served statewide. New applicants will be placed on the waitlist managed by application date and priority rankings. Families approved before March 1 and those who complete timely renewals will not be affected.

Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation Seeks Public Input on 2026-27 State Plan Goals

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation (MVR) program is soliciting public feedback on its draft 2026-27 state plan goals and priorities for vocational rehabilitation services serving individuals with disabilities. Two virtual public hearings are scheduled for March 17 and March 18, 2026. Written comments will be accepted through March 31, 2026, via email, online form, or postal mail.

Missouri State Board Approves Educator Preparation Provider Accreditation

The Missouri State Board of Education unanimously approved the accredited status of 41 initial teacher preparation providers and 17 advanced educator preparation providers. DESE also provided updates on the through-year assessment pilot, with 200 students participating in a small-scale pilot this spring. The Board discussed the commissioner's evaluation tool and initiatives to streamline Missouri teaching certification requirements.