HCS/SS/SCS/SB 734 – This act modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education. GIFTED EDUCATION: School districts must include in their annual school accountability report card whether the school district currently has a state-approved gifted education program. The school district must also indicate if it has had a state-approved gifted education program within the last three years. This act requires school districts to identify gifted students and establish appropriate programs or differentiated services for them. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must develop a list of identification criteria with emphasis on early identification. Gifted education must be funded by school districts from their basic state aid except as described in the act. These provisions are identical to provisions also contained in HB 1295 (2010), SB 962 (2010), SB 498 (2009), and HB 2542 (2008). (Sections 160.522 & 162.720) REGIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTERS: Beginning in fiscal year 2013, the Division of School Improvement within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may ensure that each Regional Professional Development Center provide professional development educational assistance for fine arts. The emphasis for fine arts assistance may be on the following: act as a resource for school districts, as described in the act; work with school districts in staff development and curriculum issues related to fine arts education; collaborate with the regional office and regional personnel; coordinate services available from other entities involved in fine arts education and fine arts integration; assist and support local school districts in providing fine arts education; and contribute to the development and implementation of in-service training that responds to the needs of arts specialists and other educators for the needs of Missouri students in the fine arts. This act requires each regional professional development center to identify ways in which school districts can achieve efficiencies, become more cost effective, reduce costs, and reduce and minimize duplicative operations, services, and purchasing. Examples of such ways include: allowing districts to share a superintendent, allowing group purchasing of supplies, allowing group purchases of insurance, allowing group administration of support services (payroll, maintenance, human resources), allowing group participation in a deferred compensation plan. RPDCs must provide assistance to school districts that choose to implement such measures. These provisions are similar to HB 870 (2009). (Sections 162.1195 & 162.1196) MICHAEL RUFF