Missouri Senate

House Amendment

This act is similar to SB 503 (2009) and HB 2537 (2008).

MICHAEL RUFF

HA 1: THIS HOUSE AMENDMENT PROHIBITS DESE FROM PENALIZING SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE APPROVED CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND FAIL TO BE PLACED IN OCCUPATIONS DIRECTLY RELATING TO THEIR TRAINING WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF GRADUATION.

THIS HOUSE AMENDMENT REQUIRES DESE TO REVISE ITS SCORING GUIDE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL POINTS TO DISTRICTS THAT PARTNER WITH AREA CAREER CENTERS, COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOLS, INDUSTRY, AND BUSINESS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PATHWAY FOR STUDENTS TO ENROLL IN A PROGRAM OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN HIGH SCHOOL, PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERNSHIP OR APPRENTICESHIP IN THEIR SENIOR YEAR, AND OBTAIN THE APPROPRIATE INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION.

DESE MUST PERMIT STUDENT SCORES ON A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EXAM THAT DEMONSTRATES ACHIEVEMENT OF WORKPLACE EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS TO COUNT TOWARD CREDIT FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STANDARDS ON THE MSIP PROGRAM. (SECTION 1)

HA 3: SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY INCLUDE THE DATA FROM CHARTER SCHOOLS LOCATED WITHIN THE DISTRICT IN ITS SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT CARD. THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE CHARTER SCHOOL MUST REACH A MUTUAL AGREEMENT FOR THE INCLUSION OF THE DATA. THE AGREEMENT MUST BE APPROVED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE PART OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND MAY MAINTAIN A SEPARATE LEA STATUS.

HA 4: THIS HOUSE AMENDMENT CREATES THE FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO PROVIDE SCHOOLS WITH LOCALLY GROWN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS FOR INCLUSION IN SCHOOL MEALS AND SNACKS AND TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL FARMING ECONOMIES.

THIS HOUSE AMENDMENT ALSO CREATES THE FARM-TO-SCHOOL TASKFORCE.

THE MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MAY MAKE GRANTS, LOANS, OR LOAN GUARANTEES TO MISSOURI BUSINESSES TO ACCESS RESOURCES FOR ACCESSING AND PROCESSING LOCALLY GROWN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS FOR USE IN SCHOOLS.