Good luck to Vandeven as Commissioner of Education!

It is official!

After a year of turmoil, politics, and lots of waiting, Margie Vandeven is returning to her old role as Missouri’s Commissioner of Education.

She was the winning candidate out of seven finalists, taking back her old post with a unanimous vote from the Missouri Board of Education on Monday.

“I am grateful to the State Board of Education for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving as Missouri’s commissioner of education,” Vandeven said. “It is an honor to return to the department, and I remain committed to doing what is best for the children of Missouri. I look forward to working with stakeholders from across our state – urban, rural and suburban. Through active collaboration among state and local leaders, educators and our families, we will – together – advance opportunities for each student.”

A Missouri native, Vandeven brings years of experience, both in the classroom and as an administrator, to the post she formerly held. Vandeven served as Commissioner from 2015 through December 2017 when she was removed from the position by new members of the Board of Education who had been appointed by former Gov. Eric Greitens but not confirmed by the Missouri legislature. Grietens recalled their appointments shortly after Vandeven was fired, leaving the Board of Education without a quorum and in limbo for half of 2018.

We hope that Vandeven will have a successful transition back into her position and bring a refocused attention to improving school accountability for all Missouri schools through the final development and eventual implementation of the Missouri School Improvement Program (MISP) 6.