Missouri Senate

Senate Substitute

MISSOURI EDUCATION SAVINGS PROGRAM

Under this act, the Missouri Education Savings Program is renamed the Missouri Education Program.

This act modifies the definition of "eligible educational institution" to include all eligible educational institutions, as defined in Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, rather than just institutions of postsecondary education.

(Sections 166.400, 166.410, 166.415, 166.420, 166.425, 166.435, 166.440, and 166.456)

These provisions are substantially similar to provisions contained in SS/SCS/SBs 55, 23, & 25 (2021) and are similar to provisions contained in SCS/HCS/HB 1540 (2020), HCS/HB 2068 (2020) and HCS/HB 2261 (2020).

GIFTED EDUCATION

Under current law, when a sufficient number of children are determined to be gifted and their development requires programs or services beyond the level of those ordinarily provided in regular public school programs, school districts may establish special programs for such gifted children. Approval of such programs shall be made by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education based upon project applications submitted by July 15 of each year.

Under this act, if 3% or more of students enrolled in a school district are determined to be gifted, the district is required to establish a state-approved gifted program for gifted children. If a school district has an average daily attendance of 350 students or fewer, the district's gifted program shall not be required to provide services by a teacher certified to teach gifted education. Any teacher who provides gifted services through the program, and is not certified, shall annually participate in at least 6 hours of professional development focused on gifted development. These provisions shall apply to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2023.

Approval of such programs shall be made by the Department based upon project applications submitted at a time and in a form determined by the Department.

(Section 162.720)

These provisions are substantially similar to SB 151 (2021) and HB 306 (2021) and are similar to SB 645 (2020), HB 112 (2019), HCS/SS/SB 218 (2019), HB 136 (2019), HB 1435 (2018), and HB 1030 (2017).

MATT KIMMINAU