The Missouri Council for American Private Education was formed in 1981. It was the first of the 33 state-level affiliates of the Council for American Private Education.

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MoCAPE seeks to promote the vitality of Missouri's private and religious schools by:

• providing a framework for communication and cooperation among members fostering sound public policy regarding private and religious schools

• encouraging diversity in education

• striving to provide families with a choice of schools for their children

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MoCAPE serves its member schools by:

• Communicating with partner schools to inform them about state and federal programs and how to participate in them.

• Offering monthly trainings to members on relevant and meaningful topics.

• Coordinating efforts regionally and across the state in response to legislation that will impact member schools. 

• Working with Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) officials to enhance cooperation and facilitate participation of private schools in state and federal education programs.

• Monitoring proposed state education legislation that could impact private and religious schools and advocating on behalf of member schools. 

• Working with CAPE and State CAPE Network to engage legislators at the national level and advocate on behalf of member schools.