Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released a report detailing the positive strides made in public education throughout 2025 and setting forth new goals for the coming year. The report, focused on progress and collaboration, pointed to a successful year with over 91% of public schools meeting or exceeding standards, and an increase in teacher retention rates.
A key highlight from Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's report showed that more than 310 public schools enhanced their Annual Performance Report (APR) scores last year. Additionally, attendance, graduation rates, and scores from the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) have all seen improvements. These APRs, detailed by DESE, serve as a barometer for educational progress under the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP 6). Notably, the state also proudly achieved a benchmark with its fully accredited public schools, attended by over 92% (785,000) of students, which is a direct reflection of their commitment to education.
One of the initiatives that DESE has pushed forward is the piloting of a new, innovative statewide assessment program. This venture, approved by the U.S. Department of Education, aims to shift the focus from traditional end-of-year testing to a more modular assessment style offering feedback throughout the school year, aligned with the Missouri Learning Standards in key subject areas like English and math.
In terms of funding, big news came from the office of Governor Kehoe, with the Fiscal Year 2026 budget signing. The historic budget includes full funding for the foundation formula, which saw an additional $500 million and a $15 million increase for transportation. On top of that, the investment in teacher baseline salaries to the tune of $33.4 million marks an important milestone for educator support. However, even with these advancements, the office of Governor Kehoe has its sights set on further improvements. They've appointed a Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force, aimed at reworking the funding structure for K-12 education, "to ensure that every Missouri public school student is supported with adequate resources to achieve success," as stated on DESE's website.
DESE's Commissioner of Education, Dr. Karla Eslinger, summarized the year's achievements by saying, "DESE has made significant progress this year in supporting school districts, educators, and students," a sentiment found in DESE's report.
