Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is the administrative arm of the State Board of Education. It is primarily a service agency that works with educators, legislators, government agencies and citizens to maintain a strong public education system. Through its statewide school-improvement activities and regulatory functions, the Department strives to assure that all citizens have access to high-quality public education.  DESE does not regulate, monitor or accredit private, parochial or home schools.

The Department’s responsibilities range from early childhood to adult education services. The Department employs about 1,900 people throughout the state and has a total budget of about $5.3 billion. About 95 percent of the budget consists of state and federal funds that are distributed to local school districts and other agencies.

Duties of the Commissioner

The Commissioner of Education directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and fulfills other duties as prescribed by law (Section 161.122, RSMo). The law states that the Commissioner shall “seek in every way to elevate the standards and efficiency of the instruction given in the public schools of the state."

In addition to the Commissioner of Education, DESE’s senior staff includes one deputy commissioner, one associate commissioner and five assistant commissioners. The associate and assistant commissioners each lead one of the agency’s six main divisions:

Division of Administrative & Financial Services

This division manages DESE’s internal and external business functions. It is responsible for distributing all federal and state funds to school districts and other agencies. The School Administrative Services unit manages the state’s main school-funding formula and assists local officials with budgeting, auditing and required financial reporting. Other personnel in this division administer the federally funded school lunch and breakfast programs. The division is responsible for internal DESE operations such as budget, accounting and human resources.

Division of Career Education

This division is responsible for secondary, postsecondary (community college) and adult career education programs and services. Career Education personnel provide professional leadership and administer state and federal funds to support career education programs in high schools, area career centers and community colleges. This division also administers community education programs; services for adults, including adult education and literacy; the high school equivalency testing program (GED); and workforce development (job training).

Division of School Improvement

A major function of this division is to manage the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP), the state's accreditation system for public school districts. The staff assists local educators with curriculum development and student testing, including the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP). It administers state and federal grant programs that assist local schools (Title I and other federal programs, A+ Schools, Parents as Teachers, etc.). The Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MoVIP), launched in 2007, is part of this division. The Leadership Academy provides high-quality professional development programs for educators across the state.

Division of Special Education

The focus of this division is to improve achievement of children and students with disabilities. It administers state and federal funds to support services for students and adults with disabilities. The staff coordinates the First Steps program, which provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers (0-3) with disabilities, and they work with school districts to improve services for school-age children (3-21) with disabilities. This division provides financial and technical support for approved Sheltered Workshops in the state.

This division includes three school systems administered by the State Board of Education:  the Missouri School for the Blind (St. Louis), the Missouri School for the Deaf (Fulton), and the Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled (35 facilities across the state). Through their outreach and consulting services, the state-operated schools assist local educators and families in meeting the needs of children with severe disabilities.

Division of Teacher Quality & Urban Education

This division is responsible for evaluating teacher-training programs offered by Missouri’s higher education institutions (public and private) and for issuing certificates (licenses) to all professional personnel who work in the public school system. Personnel in this division (in concert with the Highway Patrol and FBI) manage the process of conducting criminal background checks on all persons who seek employment in the public schools. This division administers the state-funded “career ladder” program and manages state-funded scholarship programs for prospective teachers.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

"VR" provides specialized services to individuals with disabilities to help them achieve employment and independence. The division maintains offices across the state to provide convenient services to clients. Vocational Rehabilitation personnel provide individualized counseling, training and other services to help clients achieve gainful employment or independent living. The VR program is supported primarily with federal funds.

The division currently funds 22 Independent Living Centers across the state. These centers provide counseling, advocacy and training in independent living skills for adults with disabilities.

The Disability Determination program is part of VR and operates under regulations of the Social Security Administration. Located in five offices across the state, Disability Determination Services personnel adjudicate claims from Missouri residents seeking federal disability benefits.

Note:  More information about the structure and duties of the State Board of Education and DESE is available in the 2007-08 edition of the Official Manual of the State of Missouri, published by the Secretary of State.