Happy 101st Heavenly Birthday, President Carter!

Missouri's "school choice" program siphons millions from public schools through tax credits. 90 %+ of "scholarships" flow to KC, STL & SGF, only 0.2 % to students with disabilities. Rural and truly low‑income families see almost none of $. Learn more👉t.ly/NdPR0

Some federal education programs currently on the chopping block may be saved by name changes. AmeriCorps community service program may become “America First Corps” and Pell grants may become “Trump Grants.” 😆 @MOEducation @MASALeaders www.edweek.org/policy-polit...

A fun reminder that @MoEducation rural kids hoping to graduate from high school had to head to town, where "board and room may be obtained at a reasonable rate." From the Cabool Enterprise 100 years ago today, Aug 27, 1925. @MASALeaders @MSTA @nrea1 @CaboolSchools

Something to think about. In the 7-county Ozark Workforce Development area (around Springfield, Bolivar, Buffalo, Ozark, Nixa, Branson) more than 80% of workers in Christian, Dallas, and Stone counties work outside their home county. meric.mo.gov/media/pdf/oz...

Something to think about. In the 7-county Ozark Workforce Development area (around Springfield, Bolivar, Buffalo, Ozark, Nixa, Branson) --Health Care and Social Assistance are the top employers. Of all workers in the area, 22.4% are 55 or older. meric.mo.gov/media/pdf/oz...

When I watch or listen or read the news I find myself thinking of the last lines of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson.

Happy to join Iowa Public Radio earlier this week for extended talk about the 4-day school week on the show "Talk of Iowa". Joined some great experts. @npaseka @NPRMidwestNews @uoeducation Take a listen 👉t.ly/v1oZx

Extremely proud to be part of @MissouriState team that started "Pathways for Paras", one of the largest K-12 school apprentice programs in the U.S. This year, we're in over 140 Missouri school districts, helping nearly 400 paras finish their Special Education degree while they continue to work! 👇

Missouri will have at least 182 four-day school week districts this year, adding Kennett, Campbell, Ash Grove, and Smithton-- 35% of all public non-charters schools. This mainly due to teacher shortages and the inability to compete with wealthier districts on salaries. More info www.fourdayweek.us.

Arkansas teachers whose home is in another state. In 2024, Ark raised minimum teacher salary to $50k, while Missouri remained at $40k. Increase is statistically significant (p < 0.01), meaning it’s not due to chance. Higher pay is successfully attracting out-of-state teachers—especially from MO.

Why Principals Matter in School Tech Integration. A instructional tech coach discusses why principals should play a role in tech integration. @MOASSP @MoAESP www.edweek.org/technology/w...

Teachers enjoy using AI for teaching, but are not so sure about students using it. Many teachers feel AI use is "cheating." All agree it is "big business" with lots of profit potential. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/u...

Missouri governor cuts millions from state budget for teacher recruitment program but leaves in $50 million for private school vouchers. 🙄 @MoEducation @MSTA @MissouriNEA www.ky3.com/2025/07/01/t...

Responding to Supreme Court ruling allowing parents to remove students when certain books are discussed, Justice Sotomayor comments “The damage to America’s public school system will be profound. Teachers will have to stop classes merely to usher children in and out, which will cripple schools...”

Grateful for the values my public school education instilled in me. "Back in the day," pledging "with Liberty and Justice for all" was not controversial. I think most of us remember the "Liberty and Justice" part---it's the "for all" that has gotten wobbly.

7 Strategies to Prepare Educators to Teach With AI. @MSTA @MissouriNEA @MOASSP @MoAESP www.edweek.org/technology/7...

Even if Missouri rural voters split evenly between the Gubernatorial candidates in 2024 Democrats lose by large margins. Net gain (~252k votes) falls well short of the 605k margin in actual vote. To overcome deficit, Dems would need significant gains in suburban and urban regions—not just a rural.

Graph: Percent change in public high school graduate projections by race and ethnicity (Race and Ethnicity) buff.ly/K5Lfpx1

Cabool Schools graduating class of 2025! #Congrats! Photo at bottom shows graduates that went K-12 TOGETHER in Cabool. This community of education, knowing each other over many years, is what school consolidation crew in legislature don't understand about rural schools.

Graph: Projected percent change in high school graduates, 2023 to 2041 (Geographic Location) buff.ly/XkC8Gp9

Walmart warned Thursday that price increases look certain — possibly within weeks — reinforcing that even the world’s biggest retailer is not immune from tariffs.

Happy Birthday President Truman. Born in Lamar, Missouri on May 8, 1884! "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” A graduate of Independence High School in 1901!-he’s on back row—can you find him?🇺🇸

Newest research from @MissouriState on 4-day school week- in the largest 4 day in @MoEducation @ISDSchools, leading up to 1st year on 4-day, applications up 360%, and 63% applicants rated 4day schedule top priority. @SLU_Prime @MASALeaders @nrea1 www.primecenter.org/education-re...

#HappyTeacherAppreciationWeek Missouri legislators' salary=$41,070.14. Their session runs 5 months. Daily reimbursement=$132.80. Mileage reimbursement= 65.5 cents per mile. Minimum Missouri teacher salary=$40,000. Main #moleg topic this week, how much to cut public schools.

When you look at per-pupil expenditures, Missouri is 37th in the country in supporting our public school students. Response from some state legislators? "Let's cut $300 million from the state funding formula next year; that will help."

Illinois allocates $6,781 more per student than Missouri. Bordering districts along the Mississippi, like Cape Girardeau, could see significant benefits if they received the same kind of support as Illinois. What could Cape do with an additional $27 million for students and teachers?

While families have been squeezed by grocery prices, agriculture corporations rake in record profits. The country’s largest egg producer took in $509 million this quarter alone, tripling its profits from a year ago—-and receiving federal bailout funds. thehill.com/opinion/camp...

U.S. Census Bureau's new report highlights school spending per student, showing Missouri ranks low in the Midwest, trailing states like Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. Meanwhile, the Missouri House plans to cut the public school budget by $300 million next year. www.census.gov/library/visu....

New House Budget proposal will hurt some schools MUCH more than others. Place a check mark on the district you think will be impacted negatively by $300 million less going to public schools next year. Support Senate Budget package.

How tariff uncertainties are already impacting school purchasing. It's already hurting kids. www.k12dive.com/news/tariff-...

#DeepDive Missouri's governor Mike Kehoe proposes scholarship program money for home-school & private school students while cutting public school funds. youtu.be/wBGAduqTXsc?... .

A flood of campaign money from school voucher proponents has been a key factor in convincing previously resistant Republican lawmakers to endorse school choice plans. apnews.com/article/vouc...

Thank you Taylor Montana, a teacher from @NixaHighSchool, for presenting at the Missouri Professors of Educational Administration conference today in Columbia! Loved hearing about her @MissouriState research on teacher evaluation & feelings of efficacy. @nixaschools @MoStateCOE

Thank you to Trenton Krueger, a teacher from @NixaJuniorHigh, for presenting at the Missouri Professors of Educational Administration conference today in Columbia! Loved hearing about his @MissouriState research on tiered intervention impact on learning. @nixaschools @MoStateCOE

France is a prominent example of a country where a four-day school week has been implemented on a large scale – specifically in public primary schools. For many years, French primary pupils have had no classes on Wednesdays, effectively giving them a four-day week.

Missouri Governor's school funding task force assembles slowly, appointees expected soon, legislative members have been named. Gov Kehoe has vowed to rewrite MO school funding formula, which has not changed much in 20 years--rural schools concerned. www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_n...

A reminder. Public schools must operate at the direction of the US Supreme Court. Of the 9 members of the Supreme Court only 3 attended public schools.

71% of Missouri teachers considered quitting last year, ⁦‪MSTA survey says. Top reasons cited include student behavior, stress, low pay, workload, and burnout. ⁦‪ www.news-leader.com/story/news/e...

Happy Easter from the Turners! We may not be all that “bright”——-but we’re colorful! May the joy of Easter uplift you, your family, and your friends! 😀

With new school board members sworn in last night, Missouri’s largest school district @officialSPS is now lead (School Board & Superintendent) by ALL women. Sending a great message to students! #WomenLead www.news-leader.com/story/news/e...

As egg prices soared, so did producer profits. As egg prices soared at the supermarket, so did producer profits. In little-noticed move last month, Ag Secretary announced compensation for affected egg farms would rise from $7 per lost chicken to almost $17. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Barstow School, private school in KC, is VERY excited Missouri House budget dedicates $50million to help THEIR families cover portion $20,000+ tuition. They still don't have to enroll poor kids-they can't afford the additional $15,000+ to enroll.

Trump's changes create financial risks for school districts, says Moody’s. School leaders may face tough budgeting as states likely won't fill federal funding gaps. School choice expansion could further pressure public school enrollment and reduce state funding.

This is enough.

In Missouri, Medicaid funding makes up about 35% of the state’s entire budget. If the federal government pulled back, the state would probably have to raise taxes or cut other parts of its budget, like education or transportation. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/u...

Missouri's largest school district featured in national publication for boosting student attendance. How did Springfield turn poor attendance around? www.k12dive.com/news/how-mis...

Trump Administration Threatens to Withhold Funds From Public Schools. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/03/u...

The Teacher's Prayer. Don't give up.

Kirkwood School District has hired Scott Cook as Chief Financial Officer for next school year. Dr Cook is concluding his ninth year as superintendent of the Mount Vernon R-V School District. #Congrats