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 initiatives and regulatory functions, the Department strives to assure that all citizens have access to high-quality public education.

The scope of the Department’s duties ranges from early childhood to adult education services. The Department does not regulate or evaluate private, parochial or home schools. The Department employs about 1,900 people throughout the state and has a total budget of about $5.2 billion. Almost 96 percent of the budget consists of state and federal funds that are allocated to local schools 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). These duties include:  directing the process by which school districts are accredited, assuring efficient management of the public schools, and seeking "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, the senior staff of the Department consists of one deputy commissioner, one associate commissioner and five assistant commissioners. Organization chart. The associate and assistant commissioners each lead one of the Department’s six main divisions:

Division of Administrative and Financial Services

This division is responsible for distributing federal and state funds to local school districts and other agencies. The School Finance Section assists local officials with budgeting, audits and the reporting of financial statistics. Other personnel in this division administer the federally funded school lunch and breakfast programs. This division also is responsible for the Department’s internal business operations, such as budget, accounting and human resources.

Division of Career Education

This division is responsible for a wide range of programs that serve the career and technical training needs of high school students, postsecondary students (community college), adults and industry. Personnel in the division provide professional leadership and administer state and federal funds to support occupational training services in high schools, area career centers and community colleges.  This division also administers community education programs; adult education services, including adult education and literacy; the high school equivalency testing program (GED); and workforce development (job training).

Division of School Improvement

A primary function of this division is to manage the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP), the state's accreditation system for public school districts. This division also assists local educators with curriculum development and student testing (Missouri Assessment Program). It administers a wide range of state and federal  grant programs that assist local schools (including Title I and other federal programs, early childhood education, charter schools, A+ Schools program, etc.).  The School Core Data Section oversees the collection and reporting of education-related statistics.

Division of Special Education

This division administers state and federal funds to support services for students and adults with disabilities. Staff members work with other state and local agencies to coordinate the First Steps program, which provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. The division works with local school districts to improve services for students (ages 3-21) with disabilities. It provides financial and technical support for approved Sheltered Workshops in the state.

The Division of Special Education 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 State Schools for Severely Handicapped (36 facilities located throughout the state). Through their outreach and consulting services, these schools assist local school personnel and families in meeting the needs of children with severe disabilities.

Division of Teacher Quality and Urban Education

This division is responsible for evaluating teacher-training programs offered by Missouri’s higher education institutions and for issuing certificates (licenses) to all professional personnel who work in the state’s public school system. Personnel in this division also conduct background checks on applicants for teaching certificates and investigate certificate-holders who are charged with misconduct.

Other sections in this division award grants for innovative professional development programs, administer the state-funded "career ladder" program, and manage 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 this division 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.