Signed by Governor Mike Parson

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes additional funding for under-preforming schools.

Highlights:

• Requires any local educational agency with a school in need of intervention to: (Sec. 1)

• Prioritize funding and resources to the school in need; and

• Grant the school in need streamlined authority over staff, schedule, policies, budget, and academic programs to implement the school turnaround plan.

• Authorizes charter schools to give admission preference to students eligible for the free and reduced price lunch program (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the “A+ Schools Program” to demonstrate a commitment towards ensuring that all students earn credit for any type of college degree while in high school (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the Department of Higher Education to establish a procedure for the reimbursement of the cost of tuition and fees for any dual-credit or dual-enrollment course offered to a student in high school in association with an institution of higher education or vocational or technical school (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the Department to establish a school turnaround program to assist schools designated by the Department as needing intervention (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the Department to use an outcome-based measure to set criteria for the designation of schools in need of intervention (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes the “School Turnaround Fund” and “School Recognition and Reward Program,” consisting of funds that may be appropriated to it by the general assembly, and any contributions that are received from federal, private, or other sources (Sec. 1). 

• Requires school districts and charter schools, when offering employment to any teacher previously employed by a Missouri school district or charter school, to contact the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to determine where the teacher was employed and to obtain background information regarding the former employee (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish a voluntary pilot program to provide for social and emotional health education in elementary schools (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish a pilot program to provide for agricultural education in elementary schools (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text