MSSU teacher education program receives top marks in DESE annual performance report

(From Missouri Southern State University)

Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is proud to announce outstanding results from the latest Annual Performance Report released by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

The newly released Fall 2025 data confirms that MSSU’s Teacher Education Program continues to exceed statewide averages across all nine areas of the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES). Notably, MSSU remains one of only a select few educator preparation providers in Missouri whose candidates outperform the state average in all nine performance categories.

Program leaders credit the success to a comprehensive professional semester orientation and student training model, dedicated and knowledgeable faculty, and strong partnerships with P–12 schools. Immersive learning experiences, including principal chats, mock IEP and parent–teacher conferences, further equip candidates with the practical skills and confidence.

“Our outcomes are the result of a dedicated faculty and a true partnership with our local P–12 schools, who are regular speakers in our classrooms and provide essential, ongoing feedback that strengthens our program,” said Dr. Jeri Goswick, associate professor of Teacher Education.

The latest report demonstrates that the results have not only continued but remained strong.

“We are incredibly proud of our students and our faculty,” said Dr. Dean Van Galen, MSSU president. 

“We know our graduates are fully prepared to lead classrooms and positively impact students from preschool all the way up through high school.”

In addition to strong performance outcomes, MSSU has experienced significant program growth. Since 2022, MSSU increased by 32% in program completions.

The upward trend reflects MSSU’s focused efforts in new programs, such as the addition of the Master of Arts in Teaching and the Online Elementary degree for those working in the field of education and need a pathway to certification.

For more information about MSSU’s Teacher Education Program, visit www.mssu.edu.