September Newsletter

September | 2026

Friends,

I hope your school year is off to a great start. I have often said that everything before Labor Day is just practice. This year put that theory to the test, with temperatures in the 90s here on the west side of the state. Labor Day also came as late as it possibly could. Our kids needed that day off! Whew! I am ready for a fall cooldown and the chance to settle into a good rhythm.

It’s so great to start another school year with you. There is a lot happening in the months ahead, and I know we’ll figure it out together. Check out our new section, Ombuds Oakley’s Updates, for news from Missouri’s Nonpublic Ombudsman, Thomas Oakley!

I will be hosting two virtual trainings this fall. We’ll cover Federal Programs in October and Special Education in November. These sessions will be helpful for new administrators or anyone who needs a refresher. Dates and times will be sent out soon.

We anticipate that rules for the new federal scholarship program will be released in late September, so you may get a bonus email from me once we have that information.

In the meantime, a quick note about the Education Freedom Tax Credit: Please consult with your superintendent, schools office, or organizational leadership before entering into any agreements with Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). I know several SGOs have already started reaching out. Your organizational leaders will know the best path for your schools, and I would not sign anything without consulting them first. There is still a lot we don’t know about the program, so please don’t feel pressured to act quickly.

As always, thank you for your patience and grace as I continue getting back into the swing of things. I’m excited about the year ahead. It’s going to be a great one!

Your partner in education,

Nicolette Gibson

Executive Director

816.651.6515

IRS Proposal Could Impact Private Schools' Tax Status

A recent federal proposal could impact the federal tax-exempt status of thousands of private K-12 schools. Read the Press Release Here.

Under the proposed regulations, private schools could not maintain their 501(c)(3) status if they use race, color, or national or ethnic origin as a factor in admissions, scholarships, financial aid, athletics or other school-administered or supported programs, even when those practices are intended to promote diversity or remedy past discrimination. Religious schools can continue maintaining religious missions and programs and, where appropriate, make decisions based on genuine religious affiliation.

A 60-day public comment period will end Nov. 3. If finalized, the new rules will go into effect June 1, 2027.

This article by Fisher Phillips offers more details on the proposal and offers guidance on five steps private schools should be taking now.

MoCAPE will be tracking this development and stay connected to the national CAPE organization and our State CAPE counterparts to learn more.

NEW TRAINING!

Unlocking Executive Function

Winter Webinar Series

5 Sessions beginning January 12, 2027 4:30 pm

Students can underperform when they don't have the tools and strategies required to succeed in the 21st century classroom. By integrating these neuroscience-based strategies into teaching, educators can empower all students to understand and take ownership of their learning, while fostering greater independence and academic success.

This webinar series will be facilitated by Northshore Learning.

Ombuds Oakley's Updates

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be hosting a webinar to review the nonpublic registration process on October 1, 2026. There are two options available to fit your busy schedule – 9:00 am and 1:30 pm. The nonpublic registration serves as the “intent to participate” in Federal Programs. If you have not heard from your LEA representatives, please reach out to them to discuss the method to determine deprivation. This method is to be determined during consultation and should not be a directive of the LEA. The LEA does have the final say in the event of disagreement, but the ESEA requires the LEA to give “due consideration” to the views of nonpublic officials. This mutual understanding of the method to be used will eliminate issues with verification.

Important Dates

9/1 – Equitable Services should have begun

10/1 – The nonpublic registration form opens

10/4-6 – Missouri DESE Federal Programs Conference – Columbia, MO

11/30 – The nonpublic registration closes – Registration must be submitted (Check to be sure it is in “submitted” status, rather than “created”)

12/1 – The public school verification begins

2/28 – The public school verification window closes – Registration must be verified by this date (Check to be sure that the status is “verified”)

Please reach out to me if you have any questions, concerns, or success stories to share.

Thomas Oakley

Director of Student Support Services | Office of Quality Schools | Nonpublic Ombudsman

Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education

Thomas.oakley@dese.mo.gov

573-751-8280

MoCAPE | www.mocape.org