Students raise concerns over dining plan changes at Mizzou

The University of Missouri Campus Dining Services made changes to dining plans and resources for the 2026-2027 school year. The revamp limited the amount of plans available, offering three options for students to choose from instead of five. The changes also created a larger emphasis on dining dollars as opposed to meal taps.

Missouri’s education board was designed to resist politics. Transparency is essential

The Missouri State Board of Education discusses a proposed change to the state's standardized test during its meeting March 24, 2026 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).Most Missourians probably could not name a member of the State Board of Education. Most could not explain why board members serve eight-year terms or why Missouri’s Constitution limits the number of members from the same political party.

To fix teachers shortage, try pay, prestige and working conditions, MU researcher says

One of public education’s most pressing issues is persisting in Missouri: a shortage of K-12 teachers. But according to a University of Missouri education researcher, the problem is fixable — and it’s essential to American society that it is. “A nation that doesn’t support teachers is on...

Missouri MOScholars funds 10,235 students with $68.7M

Missouri's MOScholars program has awarded $68.7 million in educational funding to 10,235 students for the 2026-2027 academic year, marking the largest year in the program's history. The milestone was announced by the Missouri State Treasurer's Office in a community announcement. The office partners with Odyssey, a software company that supports school choice programs, to administer the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, known as MOScholars. Enrollment has grown substantially since the program launched. State officials reported in the announcement that participation increased from 1,361 students during the 2022-2023 school year to more than 10,000 students in the current funding cycle. For the 2026-2027 school year, the program received 16,144 applications. Of those, 12,319 students qualified and 10,235 received funding. Another 1,735 students remain on a waitlist. Program officials also reported that participation from 385 approved schools and 350 family-paced education providers across Missouri. "Tremendous growth of the MOScholars program shows just how eager families are for these opportunities," Treasurer Vivek Malek said in the announcement. "By awarding over $68 million to more than 10,000 students this academic year, we're making a historic investment in the future of our state and empowering parents to put their children on a path to success."

Missouri moves forward with A-F school grading system

REPUBLIC, Mo. (KY3) - Missouri is moving forward with a new A-F grading system for its schools. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education created the framework in line with an executive order signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe in January. In September, the Missouri State Board of Education approved...

UMSL students get hands-on experience with emerging technology as part of Missouri Innovation Week

University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) students traded textbooks for robots, drones and hands-on science experiments Tuesday as part of Missouri’s first Innovation Week.

Trenton High School band takes first in Ashland color guard event

The Trenton High School band earned a first-place divisional finish in indoor color guard and second-place honors in two other competitions Saturday at the Southern Boone Marching Classic in Ashland, Missouri. Trenton finished second among six bands in its division during field show judging. In the overall field show standings,...

Opinion | Randol: Accountability Must Run Both Ways

As the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education submits its budget request for next year, they have decided to send public schools they have been appointed to oversee two conflicting messages: We expect more from you — but we are not prepared to keep our commitments. Last month, the...

Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants

Missouri Community colleges will receive nearly $10.8 million as part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants Program. This is a Federal investment that will strengthen career training and pathways to in-demand jobs across Missouri. The investment will allow the community colleges to continue building...

Helias and Centralia continue to hold top spots in Mid-Missouri Prep Power Poll

Two undefeated local teams stayed on top of our KRCG 13 Mid-Missouri Prep Power Poll after seven weeks of the high school football season. Helias leads the large school rankings after a win over Jefferson City. Centralia held it down in the small school rankings after a win against Clark...

Show Me Center to host Missouri high school volleyball championships through 2031

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — Southeast Missouri State University will continue hosting Missouri’s high school volleyball championships at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau through 2031. The Missouri State High School Activities Association has selected the Show Me Center to host the girls’ volleyball state championships from...

School board delays vote on bullying policy

• The Columbia school board on Monday tabled a vote on its revised bullying policy, a year and a half in the making. Board member Paul Harper said some members wanted cleaner language. The vote is now expected at the board's Oct. 21 work session, and the policy would not take effect until January 2027. The revision would require staff, substitutes, contractors and volunteers to intervene in and report bullying, and would require the district to notify the families of both the alleged victim and alleged perpetrator within five school days of a completed investigation.

Wear-Enloe named SSDF Distinguished Alum

Janet Wear-Enloe, the Sedalia School District Foundation’s Distinguished Alumni honoree for 2026, addressed the seniors Thursday morning in the Heckart Performing Arts Center.

Value public schools? Vote for Betsy Fogle for state Senate | Opinion

Attending Hickory Hills Elementary as a kid I saw firsthand what public school teachers do for their students. They made me feel seen and loved, making learning fun and staying a few extra minutes to make sure I understood something before I left for the day. That willingness to go the extra mile for every child is what made me want to become a teacher. In the eight years since I started teaching, that’s who I’ve tried to be for my students. But being a public school teacher has also made me realize there are other people with major impact on my students’ lives, even if they never step foot into a classroom. As a teacher, I see how the decisions being made in Jefferson City are hurting Springfield students and their families. Public schools are the backbone of our communities. They are there to make sure every child can get a good education, no matter where they live or what their parents’ bank account looks like. But year after year, state lawmakers have neglected our schools, instead focusing on so-called “tax relief.” They promised it would mean more money in our pockets, but it turns out the pockets they

Over 10,000 Missouri students benefit from MOScholars Program

MISSOURI (KOAM) -- More than 10,000 Missouri students received educational funds from the state for the 2026-2027 school year.

HBCU Students Sue Missouri For Nearly $550 Million Over Alleged Underfunding

Current and former Lincoln University students are seeking nearly $550 million from Missouri, alleging decades of unequal funding harmed the HBCU’s facilities and academic resources.

High School football scores from Arkansas and Missouri

Four States Game Night Final Scores — Week 7

In case you missed the action Friday night, we've got you covered! Check out a variety of final scores from area matchups on the gridiron below.

The Missouri Power Grab: New School Bosses, Police Eyes on Every Corner, and Maps Under Fire: This Week Now In St. Louis and Missouri

Between school leadership changes, street surveillance debates, and high-stakes legal battles over voting districts, Missouri statehouse politics are shifting fast. Here is a clear breakdown of the top policy stories shaping the state this week. Overview: State-level policy battles in Missouri are heating up over education governance, digital surveillance, and...