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SS/SCS/SB 152 - This act modifies provisions related to education. SHOW ME SUCCESS DIPLOMA PROGRAM This act establishes the Show Me Success Diploma Program as an alternative pathway to graduation for high school students. Students may earn the show me success diploma beginning at the end of a student's tenth grade year. By July 1, 2022, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop detailed requirements for students to become eligible for the show me success diploma. Students who earn a show me success diploma may elect to remain in high school. Alternatively, a student having earned the diploma may instead enroll in a qualifying postsecondary educational institution. For each student enrolled in such an institution, an amount equal to ninety percent of the pupil's proportionate share of the state, local, and federal aid that the district or charter school receives for such pupil, shall be deposited into an account that lists the pupil as the beneficiary. These provisions shall expire August 28, 2028. (Section 160.560) These provisions are substantially similar to provisions in SB 34 (2021). INFORMATION TO BE PUBLISHED ON DEPARTMENT WEBSITE Within thirty days of receipt or publication, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall maintain and publish on its website any data or report sent to the Department from any federal agency and the full text of all state administrative rules and regulations related to elementary and secondary education. Such information shall be accessible and searchable from various electronic communication devices as described in the act. By December 31st in every even-numbered year, the State Auditor shall review the Department's website for compliance with this section. (Section 161.229) These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SBs 55, 23, & 25 (2021). COMPETENCY BASED EDUCATION This act establishes the Competency-Based Education Grant Program. By application, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall award grants from the fund to eligible school districts for the purpose of providing competency-based education programs. The Department shall facilitate the creation, sharing, and development of course assessments, curriculum, training and guidance for teachers, and best practices for the school districts that offer competency-based education courses. (Section 161.380) This act establishes the Competency-Based Education Task Force to study and develop competency-based education programs in public schools. The Task Force shall conduct interviews and at least three public hearings to identify promising competency-based education programs and obstacles to implementing such programs. Before December 1 of each year, the Task Force shall present its findings and recommendations to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Joint Committee on Education, and the State Board of Education. (Section 161.385) Under this act, school districts and charter schools shall receive state school funding under the foundation formula for high school students who are taking competency-based courses offered by their school district or charter school. Attendance of a student enrolled in a competency-based course shall equal the product of the district or charter school's prior year average attendance percentage multiplied by the total number of attendance hours normally allocable to a non-competency-based course of equal credit value. (Section 162.1255) These provisions shall expire on August 28, 2028. These provisions are substantially similar to SB 34 (2021) and SB 35 (2021) and are similar to SB 582 (2020) and SCS/SB 445 (2019). ANNEXATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS Under current law, a school district may be attached to a community college district or to one or more adjacent seven-director school districts by a majority vote in the school district. This act repeals a provision in current law specifying the format in which the question for such annexation shall be submitted to the voters. This act requires that the question be approved by the county commission in which the school district is located and requires the ballot language to include the tax rate and assessed valuation of the school district prior to and after approval. (Section 162.441) 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 15th of each year. Under this act, if 3% or more of students enrolled in a school district or charter school are determined to be gifted, the district or charter school is required to establish a state-approved gifted program for gifted children. If a school district or charter school has an average daily attendance of 350 students or fewer, the 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). 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). STUDENTS WITH EPILEPSY AND SEIZURE DISORDERS This act establishes "Will's Law," requiring individualized health care plans to be developed by school district nurses in consultation with a student's parent or guardian and appropriate medical professionals that address procedural guidelines and specific directions for particular emergency situations relating to the student's epilepsy or seizure disorder. Plans are to be updated at the beginning of each school year and as necessary. Notice must be given to any school employee that may interact with the student, including symptoms of the epilepsy or seizure disorder and any medical and treatment issues that may affect the educational process. All school employees must be trained every two years in the care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders. Training shall include an online or in-person course of instruction approved by the Department of Health and Senior Services. School personnel shall obtain a release from a student's parent to authorizing the sharing of medical information with other school employees as necessary. This act protects school employees from being held liable for any good faith act or omission while performing their duties. (Section 167.625) This act contains an emergency clause applying to these provisions. These provisions are identical to SCS/SB 187 (2021) and are substantially similar to HB 2588 (2020). MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY This act repeals provisions of current law setting forth the requirement that two of the eight voting members of the Board of Governors for Missouri Western State University be selected from any of the counties in the state outside of the counties set forth under current law. This act also removes the cap on the number of members that may be appointed from any one county. (Section 174.453) These provisions are identical to SB 219 (2021) and are substantially similar to a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 1540 (2020) and HCS/SS/SCS/SB 528 (2020). MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Under current law, Montessori schools are not required to have a child care facility license to operate in the state. This act modifies the definition of a Montessori school to include programs that are either accredited by, actively seeking accreditation by, or maintain an active school membership with the American Montessori Society, Association Montessori Internationale, the International Montessori Counsel, or the Montessori Educational Programs International. (Section 210.201) This act contains an emergency clause applying to these provisions. These provisions are substantially similar to SB 457 (2021). MATT KIMMINAU
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