The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is the administrative arm of the State Board of Education. It is primarily a service agency that works with educators, legislators, government agencies and citizens to maintain a strong public education system. Through its statewide school-improvement initiatives and regulatory functions, the Department strives to assure that all citizens have access to high-quality public education. ALSO KNOWN AS DESE DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY EDUCATION, MO ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY EDUCATION, MO DEPT. OF