SB 660 - This act establishes the Show Me Success Diploma Program, the Competency-Based Education Grant Program, the Competency-Based Education Task Force, and a competency-based credit system for high school students. SHOW ME SUCCESS DIPLOMA PROGRAM This act establishes the Show Me Success Diploma Program as an alternative pathway to graduation for high school students. A student may earn the Show Me Success Diploma beginning at the end of the tenth grade. By July 1, 2023, 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 90% of the pupil's proportionate share of the state, local, and federal aid that the district or charter school receives for such student shall be deposited into a higher education savings account that lists the student as the beneficiary. (Section 160.560) These provisions are substantially similar to provisions in the truly agreed CCS#2/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 681 & 662 (2022) and similar to provisions in SB 34 (2021), SCS/HCS/HB 320 (2021), and HB 624 (2021). COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM 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) These provisions are identical to provisions in the truly agreed CCS#2/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 681 & 662 (2022) similar to provisions in SB 33 (2021), HCS/SS/SCS/SB 152 (2021), SCS/HCS/HB 320 (2021), and HB 520 (2021). COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION TASK FORCE 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 first 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) These provisions are similar to provisions in the truly agreed CCS#2/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 681 & 662 (2022), SB 35 (2021), provisions in SB 33 (2021), SB 34 (2021), HCS/SS/SCS/SB 152 (2021), SCS/HCS/HB 320 (2021), HB 520 (2021), HB 624 (2021), and HB 625 (2021). COMPETENCY-BASED HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS 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 are substantially similar to provisions in the truly agreed CCS#2/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 681 & 662 (2022) and similar to provisions in SB 33 (2021), HCS/SS/SCS/SB 152 (2021), SCS/HCS/HB 320 (2021), and HB 520 (2021). JAMIE ANDREWS