SCS/SB 667 - This act requires each state educational institution to evaluate every member of its instructional faculty, who did not receive the majority of both primary and secondary education in a program in which English was the primary language, for English language fluency in the classroom, using a national test approved by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE). Testing shall be provided at no cost to the faculty member or graduate student.

No course may be taught by an instructor who has not been evaluated or who failed the test. The Coordinating Board for Higher Education shall determine whether an institution is in violation of this requirement. An institution which violates this requirement shall have its state funding reduced by ten thousand dollars for each course taught in violation of the requirement.

Each institution shall certify to the CBHE, by Sept. 1 of each year, that all instructional faculty members have been tested for English fluency. This certification shall be coordinated with the existing report required regarding training for graduate student instructors. Exemptions may be granted in special cases upon approval of the chief academic and executive officers of the institution.

The Coordinating Board shall establish a toll-free telephone complaint line to receive complaints from students concerning instructional problems and other instructional concerns regarding instructional faculty members at state educational institutions, including problems regarding faculty English language proficiency. Each student making a complaint shall be required to provide the student's name to the Coordinating Board, and such identification shall be maintained as confidential information pursuant to Chapter 610, RSMo.

This act is similar to SB 316 from 1995.
OTTO FAJEN