Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Missouri is implementing phonics-based reading instruction through Senate Bills 681 and 68 to address low reading proficiency, with 42% of fourth graders scoring below basic in 2024. Critics, including veteran teacher Trudy Puckett, argue the shift limits teaching methods and impacts programs like Reading Recovery, which emphasizes balanced literacy strategies.

Missouri has postponed implementing a childcare payment overhaul, leaving 7,389 children on a waitlist for state-subsidized childcare. The state will not pay providers based on enrollment as previously planned, citing budget constraints, and has not moved any children off the waitlist since March 1. Providers and families face financial burdens due to unchanged payment rules tied to attendance.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education submitted a plan to implement Gov. Mike Kehoe's A-F school grading system, warning of $518,000 initial costs and $715,100 annual expenses. The plan highlights risks from potential IT staff cuts in the Office of Administration and challenges in meeting deadlines for standardized testing and data processing.

The Missouri State Board of Education appointed Stacey Preis as interim commissioner while conducting a nationwide search for a permanent replacement. Cindy O’Laughlin, a state senator with education-related experience, is mentioned as a potential candidate for the role.