Our members are on the GO. They value professional learning, advocate for public education, and leverage meaningful partnerships with businesses. Our mission is to advance educational opportunities for K-12 students in Southern Missouri so they can be successful at any career or ready for college.

A key purpose of GOCSD is to serve as a conduit for the sharing of educational practices between members through networking and collaboration, while also offering member-initiated high quality professional learning opportunities. The GOCSD yearly Innovation Summit is one of the premiere professional learning experiences offered for Missouri educators. Top educational researchers from across the nation serve as keynote speakers with regional educators sharing expertise in break-out sessions. Districts are also provided opportunities for purchasing needed resources at reduced costs through our many business partners.

GOCSD also serves as a key voice at the state and national level for public schools in southern Missouri. The collaborative efforts with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, local and state business communities and state/federal legislators provide opportunities for proactively supporting school districts. The needs of Missouri children are at the forefront of this advocacy work.