Overview of Missouri’s Public School System

The Missouri public education system currently serves 896,167 K-12 students across 566 local districts and charter schools, according to the 2024-2025 Public Education Snapshot from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

The state’s educational infrastructure is supported by 72,700 K-12 teachers. Data indicates that 785,000 students, or approximately 92% of the student population, attend public schools that are fully accredited.

Administrative Structure and Governance

All public education within the state is governed by the Missouri State Board of Education. This body consists of eight citizens who are appointed by the Governor of Missouri and confirmed by the Missouri Senate.

The department is currently led by Commissioner Dr. Karla Eslinger. The state board recently held a public session at the Jefferson State Office Building on April 14, 2026.

Student Demographics and Academic Trends

Current snapshots of the student population reveal that 49.3% of students receive free or reduced lunch and 13.9% are enrolled in special education services. The state also reports a student mobility rate of 19.9%, which tracks how frequently students change schools.

In terms of academic achievement, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reports that statewide results have shown positive momentum. Specifically, English Language Arts demonstrated improvement, with one exception, when compared to performance levels from 2023-2024.

Literacy and Educator Development

Missouri has implemented specific initiatives focused on the Science of Reading. Currently, 14,373 K-8 educators have either completed or are enrolled in Science of Reading training. This initiative has reached 95% of local education agencies, which now have at least one teacher participating in the training.

Efforts to recruit and retain educators have resulted in a 32% increase in enrollment for teacher education programs over the last three years. Missouri was the first state in the nation to launch a Statewide Educator Job Board.

Early Learning and Child Care

The state has expanded its early learning capacity, serving 1,406 more children in publicly funded preschools than in the previous year. The state currently has the capacity to serve 52.6% of children under the age of five.

Administrative changes have also impacted child care. Executive Order 25-1580 led to a 11.9% reduction, totaling 177, in child care licensing rules. However, the state is implementing a waitlist for child care assistance due to record demand, as announced on February 25, 2026.

Legal and Policy Developments

The state’s educational landscape continues to be shaped by legal challenges and legislative support. Recent reports indicate a Missouri appeals court rejected the secretary of state’s ballot language regarding a ban on private school funding.

Legislative priorities currently include the full funding of the foundation formula and the transportation formula, as well as continued support for Career Technical Education and literacy initiatives.

For those seeking assistance with educator certification or child care subsidies, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides the following contact information:

• Educator Certification: 573-751-0051 or certification@dese.mo.gov
• Child Care Subsidy: 573-415-8605