By Otto Fajen
MNEA Legislative Director
ACCREDITATION AND ASSESSMENT REFORMS
The Senate Education Committee heard SB 360 (Jill Carter) on February 25. The bill would support local control and reduce the state's heavy emphasis on standardized testing. The Association supports the bill.
The bill would require the State Board of Education to recognize at least two national school accreditation organizations and allow districts to choose to gain accreditation by approval of such a group. The bill also directs the State Board to revise the MAP assessment and restrict the use of the MAP to only the purposes required under federal law. The bill requires school districts to develop or adopt local assessments and allows local assessment results to be part of a district's school report card.
RESTRICTING STUDENT CELL PHONE USE
The Senate approved SS/SCS/SB 68 (Mike Henderson) on February 26. The bill requires local educational agencies to report school safety incidents to DESE. The SS adds the provisions of SB 640 (Mike Henderson) to require school districts to adopt policies restricting student use of cell phones and other personal electronic communication devices during instructional time. The Association supports the portion of the bill restricting student cell phone use.
HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The House approved HB 875 (Darin Chappell) on February 26. The bill would prevent a public college from denying official recognition to belief-based student associations that require leaders to adhere to their beliefs, practice requirements or standards of conduct. The Senate debated SS/SB 160 (Brad Hudson), a similar bill, on February 26, but did not bring the bill to a vote.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES PARTICIPATION
The Senate approved SS/SB 63 (Ben Brown) on February 26. The bill would allow home school students to participate in activities sanctioned by statewide activity organizations, such as MSHSAA.
BUDGET
The House Budget Committee heard public testimony on the state budget bills on February 24. The committee heard testimony on Services for Independent Living providers regarding funding for these centers in HB 2, the K-12 education funding bill. The committee also heard testimony from community colleges regarding their funding through HB 3, the higher education funding bill.
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The committee heard the following bills on February 25:
SB 243 (Maggie Nurrenbern) to require public educational institutions to grant undergraduate course credit for students who score four or higher on international baccalaureate examinations.
SB 266 (Travis Fitzwater) to create standards for virtual schools or programs to administer statewide assessments.
SB 306 (Angela Mosley) to revise provisions relating to special administrative boards for unaccredited school districts. The bill allows for suspension of governing authority of the board without having to lapse the entire school district. The bill also directs DESE to include various community stakeholders from the district on any special administrative board. The Association supports the bill.
SB 324 (Jill Carter) to require DESE to post on its website any memorandum of understanding or other agreement with a third party.
The committee also approved the following bills:
SCS/SBs 195 & 53 (Rick Brattin) to create an individual tax credit voucher for non-public school expenses. The Association opposes the bill. SB 195 is expected to reduce state general revenues by $1 billion within three years. The Association believes that state mandated parental option plans compromise free, equitable, universal, and quality public education for every student.
SB 69 (Mike Henderson) to expand higher education core curriculum transfer provisions from forty-two credit hours to sixty credit hours.
SCS/SBs 166 & 155 (Kurtis Gregory) to require public schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans. The House Health and Mental Health Committee approved HB 232 (Sherri Gallick), a similar bill. The Association supports the bills.
SB 212 (Travis Fitzwater) to require all public school shower rooms, locker rooms, and restrooms to be designated for and used by male or female students only. The Association is concerned that this bill would override local control in handling this issue.
SJR 6 (Rick Brattin) to amend the Constitution to assert the right of parents to participate in and direct the education of their children free from government interference.
HOUSE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The committee heard the following bills on February 26:
HB 1238 (Willard Haley) regarding pupils attending non-resident schools where the pupil's parent is a regular employee or contractor.
HB 31 (Bishop Davidson) to revise provisions relating to home schools.
The scheduled hearing on HB 1287 (Ed Lewis) was postponed until next week. The bill pertains to the rights of parents and educators and codes of student conduct.
The committee also approved the following bills:
HCS/HB 220 (Ed Lewis) to create standards for virtual schools or programs to administer statewide assessments. The bill also allows a host district to remain eligible for Small Schools Grants without including pupil count from a virtual school hosted by the district.
HCS/HB 267 (Brenda Shields) to repeal the sunset on provisions governing teacher externships. The Association supports the bill. The HCS extends the sunset on the provision allowing PSRS retirees to substitute up to full time while receiving a pension. The HCS was approved as a Consent Bill.
HCS/HB 368 (Brad Banderman) to clarify that school districts will still qualify for the 1% increase in state aid for a school calendar of at least 169 school days, even if the school is in session fewer days due to inclement weather or another allowed reduction. The Association supports the bill.
HCS/HB 1153 (Cecilie Williams) to require the state Board of Education to issue certificates of license to teach upon certification by Teachers for Tomorrow. The Association is concerned that Teachers of Tomorrow has created problems for participating educators in several states with this program. The HCS extends the sunset on the provision allowing PSRS retirees to substitute up to full time while receiving a pension.
HOUSE HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
The committee heard two bills on February 26:
HB 168 (Donnie Brown) to create the STEM Grant program for Access Missouri scholarship award recipients.
HB 937 (George Hruza) to require policies against discrimination and antisemitism in public schools and public colleges and universities.
The committee also approved the following bills on February 26:
HB 183 (Cameron Parker) to expand higher education core curriculum transfer provisions from forty-two credit hours to sixty credit hours.
HCS/HB 268 (Brenda Shields) to revise the accreditation provisions for master's degree programs in social work.
HCS/HBs 1017 & 291 (Chris Brown) to require public educational institutions to grant undergraduate course credit for students who score four or higher on international baccalaureate examinations.
HCS/HB 33 (Bishop Davidson) to require DESE to establish the STEM Career Awareness Activity Program for high school grades.
CHARTER SCHOOL DEED RESTRICTIONS
The House Emerging Issues Committee heard three bills pertaining to deed restrictions that prohibit buildings from being used as a charter school. HB 1062 (Marlene Terry), HB 1254 (Ben Baker), and HB 1363 (George Hruza) would each prohibit local ordinances from supporting or allowing deed restrictions to preclude subsequent use of a building as a charter school. The bills also purport to invalidate existing deed restrictions of this type.