Chapter 25: Missouri

Missouri, like every other state, funds public elementary and secondary education with a combination of local, state, and federal revenue sources. AS of FY2021, Missouri funds public elementary and secondary education primarily via 518 school districts. Of this number, seventy are elementary school districts, there are thirty-seven charter schools and three State Board of Education operated programs. The state has one virtual school. For the FY2021, there were approximately 879,845 students attending these schools. The state funds approximately $ 8.53 Billion toward education which represents 24 percent of the state budget. State revenues are from earmarked funds and general revenue funds. In recent years the total share of elementary and secondary education has shifted more to the local school districts given severe statutory and budget restraints placed on the legislature.