GovWatch

Tracking List: A1-Aligned Priority

HB1447 - Modifies provisions governing teacher recruitment and retention

Sponsor:

Rep. Ed Lewis (R)

Summary:

HCS HB 1447 -- TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

SPONSOR: Lewis (6)

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education by a vote of 12 to 0.

The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 1447.

The current minimum teacher salary is $25,000 and for those teachers with a Master's Degree and 10 years of experience the minimum is $33,000. This bill raises the minimum in the 2025-26 school year to $38,000. For a teacher with a Master's Degree and 10 years of experience the minimum is raised to $44,000 with increases each year until the 2027-28 school year when the minimum shall be $46,000.

Beginning in the 2028-29 school year and in all subsequent years the minimum teacher salary base will be adjusted annually by a calculated percentage increase in inflation, not to exceed 3% as outlined in the bill. The State Board of Education shall publish the calculated minimum salaries beginning in February, 2026.

The bill creates a "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Fund" to assist school districts with a grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to increase the districts minimum teacher salary to the required level. The grant will be necessary funds used to increase the districts minimum salary.

The bill authorizes the State Board for Education to grant an additional teaching certificate in a specific content or subject area to already certificated teachers based upon successfully completing the state-approved teacher evaluation system comprised of seven walk-through evaluations, two formative evaluations, and one summative evaluation, a recommendation from the school district, and the completion of a background check..

The bill removes the requirement that salary schedules adopted by a district's board of education apply to all teachers in the district and allows school boards to include differentiated placement of teachers on the salary schedule for hard-to-staff subject areas and hard-to-staff schools. Districts may annually review and modify hard-to-staff subject areas and schools, as defined in the bill, and are prohibited from placement of any teacher on a schedule that would result in a salary demotion. The bill modifies the "Missouri Professional Teacher and Administrator Act" by removing the requirement that prospective teacher education students pass an entry-level test with a satisfactory rating before being admitted into a university or college teaching program.

The bill modifies the "career plan or program" requirement that qualifying career ladder responsibilities and volunteer effort occur after school hours by clarifying that they must be outside of duties that require a teaching certificate and includes teacher mentorship to the suggested options. The bill also exempts military members and the member's spouse from the two year residency requirement if such individual has experience in another state..

The bill modifies the existing "Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program" by changing the name to the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program". The corresponding state treasury fund is also renamed accordingly. Additional provisions of the existing program are modified including increasing the maximum number of two-year scholarships from 200 in the 2025 academic year to 600 such scholarships by the 2030-31 school term.

Scholarships for up to 100% of eligible tuition and fees are to be awarded to "eligible students" as defined in the bill for up to two years. Students must agree to teach in "hard-to-staff schools" or "hard-to-staff subject areas" for two years for every year the scholarship is received.

The repayment rate of the scholarships for a failure to fulfill the agreement is set forth in the bill as 1% over the prevailing prime rate in effect on January 1st of the year the student is ineligible, with annual adjustments.

The bill includes provisions from HB 2092 and HB 1986 (2024)

The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the Blue Ribbon Commission pointed out that for past several years Missouri teachers have been leaving the profession or are not entering the profession in large enough numbers to sustain the numbers of teachers needed to effectively teach. Missouri salaries are some of the lowest in the surrounding area and in the nation. Teachers have the biggest impact on student learning and investments in this resource need to be made. Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Lewis; Aligned; Missouri Retired Teachers Association; Missouri State Teachers Association; Perry Gorrell, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; Quality Schools Coalition; Missouri School Boards Association; and Missouri NEA.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say local school boards and local communities do not spend the local effort raised the same way, with some districts focused on teacher salaries while others spend it in other areas. This state approach may not solve the teacher salary issue if local districts do not act accordingly.

Testifying in person on the bill was John T. Grady.

Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.

Last Action:

03/04/2024

H - Reported Do Pass

HB1486 - Changes provisions governing early childhood education programs

Sponsor:

Rep. Brenda Shields (R)

Summary:

HB 1486 -- STATE FUNDING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS (Shields)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education

Currently, children between three and five years old who are eligible for free and reduced price lunch and attend an early childhood education program operated by a school district or a charter school may be included in such district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance. The total number of such pupils shall not exceed 4% of the total number of pupils between five and 18 years old who are eligible for free and reduced price lunch and who are included in such district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance.

Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, this bill provides that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall remit to school districts and charter schools an amount equal to the product of the state adequacy target, the dollar-value modifier, and the average daily attendance of pupils who are eligible for free and reduced price lunch and who attend, in the year prior to their kindergarten enrollment eligibility, an early childhood education program that is operated by a school district or a charter school.

Three-year-old pupils and other pupils who are more than one year prior to kindergarten enrollment eligibility, who are eligible for free and reduced price lunch, and who attend such early childhood education programs shall be included in a district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance under existing law, although such increases will not disqualify districts from specific funding sources outlined in the bill.

This bill is similar to HB 833 (2023).

Last Action:

04/09/2024

S - Hearing Conducted

HB1488 - Authorizes the "Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Act", "Employer-Provided Child Care Assistance Tax Credit Act", and "Child Care Providers Tax Credit Act", relating to tax credits for child care

Sponsor:

Rep. Brenda Shields (R)

Summary:

HB 1488 -- TAX CREDITS FOR CHILD CARE (Shields)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Workforce and Infrastructure Development

CHILD CARE CONTRIBUTION TAX CREDIT ACT

This bill establishes the "Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Act". Beginning January 1, 2025, a taxpayer may claim a tax credit, against his or her state liability for that tax year, for verified contributions to a child care provider in an amount equal to 75% of the contribution. The tax credit issued shall not be less than $100, and shall not exceed $200,000 per tax year.

To be eligible for the tax credit, a donation must be:

(1) Used directly by a child care provider to promote child care for children 12 years of age or younger;

(2) If made to an intermediary, distributed in full by the intermediary within two years of receipt to one or more child care providers;

(3) Made to a child care provider or intermediary in which the taxpayer or a person related to the taxpayer does not have a direct financial interest; and

(4) Not made in exchange for care of a child or children in the case of an individual taxpayer that is not an employer making a contribution on behalf of its employees.

The tax credits authorized by this section shall not be refundable and shall not transferred, sold, or otherwise conveyed. The cumulative amount of tax credits authorized shall not exceed $20 million for each calendar year. If the maximum amount of tax credits allowed in any calendar year is authorized, the maximum amount of tax credits shall be increased by 15%, provided that all such increases of tax credits shall be reserved for contributions made to child care providers located in a child care desert.

Tax credits allowed under this section are considered a "domestic and social tax credit" under the provisions of the Tax Credit Accountability Act.

The program sunsets on December 31, 2030.

EMPLOYER PROVIDED CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE TAX CREDIT ACT This bill also establishes the "Employer Provided Child Care Assistance Tax Credit Act". Beginning January 1, 2025, a taxpayer with two or more employees may claim a tax credit in an amount equal to 30% of the qualified child care expenditures paid or incurred with respect to a child care facility. The maximum amount of any tax credit issued shall not exceed $200,000 per taxpayer per tax year.

For the purposes of this provision, "taxpayer" is defined as a corporation defined in Chapter 143, RSMo; any charitable organization exempt from federal income tax and whose Missouri unrelated business taxable income, if any, would be subject to the state income tax under Chapter 143; or individuals or partnerships subject to the state income tax imposed by the provisions of Chapter 143.

A facility shall not be treated as a child care facility with respect to a taxpayer unless enrollment in the facility is open to the dependents of the taxpayer's employees during the tax year, provided that the dependents are within the age range ordinarily care for by, and only require a level of care ordinarily provided by, such facility.

The tax credits shall not be refundable, transferable, sold, assigned, or otherwise conveyed. The cumulative amount of tax credits shall not exceed $20 million for each calendar year. If the maximum amount of tax credits allowed in any calendar year is authorized, the maximum amount of tax credits shall be increased by 15%, provided that all such increases of tax credits shall be reserved for contributions made to child care providers located in a child care desert.

The program sunsets on December 31, 2030.

CHILD CARE PROVIDERS TAX CREDIT ACT

This bill also establishes the "Child Care Providers Tax Credit Act". Beginning January 1, 2025, a child care provider with three or more employees may claim a tax credit in an amount equal to the child care provider's eligible employer withholding tax, and may also claim a tax credit in an amount up to 30% of the child care provider's capital expenditures.

No tax credit for capital expenditures shall be allowed if the capital expenditures are less than $1,000. The amount of any tax credit issued shall not exceed $200,000 per child care provider per tax year. To claim a tax credit for capital expenditures, a child care provider shall present proof acceptable to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that the expenditures fall within the definition of capital expenditure, as defined in the bill.

The tax credits shall not be refundable, transferred, sold, assigned, or otherwise conveyed. Any amount of credit that exceeds the child care provider's state tax liability for the tax year for which the tax credit is issued may be carried back to the child care provider's immediately prior tax year or carried forward to the child care provider's subsequent tax year for up to five succeeding tax years. The cumulative amount of tax credits authorized pursuant to this section shall not exceed $20 million for each calendar year.

If the maximum amount of tax credits allowed in any calendar year is authorized, the maximum amount of tax credits shall be increased by 15%, provided that all such increases of tax credits shall be reserved for contributions made to child care providers located in a child care desert.

The program sunsets on December 31, 2030.

This bill is similar to HB 870 (2023) and SB 509 (2023).

Last Action:

04/10/2024

S - Placed on Informal Calendar

HB1648 - Creates incentive programs for public employees

Sponsor:

Rep. John Black (R)

Summary:

HB 1648 -- PUBLIC EMPLOYEE INCENTIVES

SPONSOR: Black

In order to encourage retention or exceptional employment achievement, this bill provides for personnel payments to be made according to specific, written criteria, predetermined and approved by the department director in writing, at least one year prior to the exceptional employment achievement. The payments authorized by the bill shall not exceed 20% of the employee's base wages or salary and are awarded upon the completion of the retention period in question and not more frequently than annually. The payments indicated in the bill are not considered a bonus in violation of Article III, Section 39 of the Missouri Constitution. These provisions shall not apply to any public employee whose salary is set by statute.

This bill allows school districts to adopt written policies describing criteria, to be approved by their school boards, allowing exceptional employment achievement payments in contracts between school districts and individual district employees.

This bill also allows the board of education of a school district to include differentiated placement of teachers on the salary schedule to increase compensation for teachers in hard-to-staff subject areas or hard-to-staff schools, as defined in the bill. Each school district that includes differentiated placement of teachers on the district salary schedule shall submit an annual report to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The contents of the report are specified in the bill

This bill is the same as HCS HB 471 (2023).

Last Action:

01/17/2024

H - Voted Do Pass as substituted

HB2092 - Modifies provisions governing scholarships available for teacher recruitment and retention purposes

Sponsor:

Rep. Ed Lewis (R)

Summary:

HB 2092 -- TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

SPONSOR: Lewis (6)

This bill modifies the existing "Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program" by changing the name to the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program".

The corresponding state treasury fund is also renamed accordingly. Additional provisions of the existing program are modified including increasing the maximum number of two-year scholarships from 200 in the 2025 academic year to 600 such scholarships by the 2030-31 school term.

Scholarships for up to 100% of eligible tuition and fees are to be awarded to "eligible students" as defined in the bill for up to two years. Students must agree to teach in "hard-to-staff schools" or "hard-to-staff subject areas" for two years for every year the scholarship is received.

The repayment rate of the scholarships for a failure to fulfill the agreement is set forth in the bill as 1% over the prevailing prime rate in effect on January 1st of the year the student is ineligible, with annual adjustments.

This bill is similar to HB 497 (2023).

Last Action:

05/17/2024

H - Referred to House committee on General Laws

HB2249 - Requires all school districts and charter schools to provide early childhood education programs

Sponsor:

Rep. Crystal Quade (D)

Summary:

HB 2249 -- EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS

SPONSOR: Quade

This bill modifies current eligibility for early childhood education programs, beginning in the 2024-25 school year to allow all students between the ages of three and five to count in the school's average daily attendance.

The bill specifies that in the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years all districts and charter schools that currently offer kindergarten must provide or contract with an eligible early childhood program. Beginning in the 2027-28 school year districts and charters may no longer contract with a program and must offer it as part of the public education program of the district or charter school.

In the school years between 2024-25 and 2027-28 schools that are not currently offering an early childhood education program may request money for any eligible expenses to develop such a program. Eligible expenses include equipment, staff, and space requirement expansion. The bill creates the "Early Childhood Education Program Start-Up Fund" to provide clarification on the appropriation and disbursements for this Program.

Last Action:

05/17/2024

H - Referred to House committee on General Laws

HB2335 - Establishes the Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program

Sponsor:

Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern (D)

Summary:

HB 2335 -- TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

SPONSOR: Nurrenbern

The bill changes the name of the "Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program" to the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program". The corresponding state treasury fund is also renamed accordingly. The bill provides that scholarship funds may be used to cover up to 100% of the cost of tuition, university-charged fees, and other costs directly associated with teacher preparation, as approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education(DESE). The number of years a student may receive a scholarship is reduced from four to two years. The number of students who may receive a scholarship is increased from 100 to 200 in the 2025-26 academic year, with 20 more students being added in each subsequent year until 2030-31 and all subsequent academic years, when 300 students may receive scholarships. Scholarship recipients after June 30, 2025, will sign a statement that they have made a good faith effort to secure all available Federal sources of grant funding. The bill repeals a provision that a student must have attended a Missouri high school in order to be eligible for a scholarship. To be eligible for a scholarship, recipients must sign an agreement to student teach at, apply for, interview for, and accept a position, if offered, in a Missouri public school that is a hard- to-staff school or to teach at least one hard-to-staff subject area in a Missouri public school, or both, for two years for every one year the recipient receives a scholarship. The bill defines a "hard-to-staff school" as an attendance center where the percentage of certificated positions that were left vacant or were filled with a teacher not fully qualified in the prior academic year exceeds 5% as reported to DESE. A "hard-to- staff subject area" is defined as a content area for which positions were left vacant or were filled with a teacher not fully qualified in the prior academic year. The scholarships provided in the bill will be available to students who have successfully completed 48 credit hours at an institution of higher education. The bill modifies the interest rate paid by scholarship recipients who do not follow through on their agreement to teach in a hard-to- staff subject or school and must therefore repay their scholarship award as a loan. An individual who has qualified as an eligible student under the bill will continue to qualify as an eligible student as long as he or she remains employed by the school district in which he or she agreed to teach, regardless of whether his or her employing school no longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff school, the class he or she teaches no longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff subject area, or his or her position within the school district changes. This bill is similar to HB 2092 and SB 1013 (2024) and HCS HB 497 (2023).

Last Action:

05/17/2024

H - Referred to House committee on General Laws

SB727 - Creates and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education

Sponsor:

Sen. Andrew Koenig (R)

Summary:

SS#2/SCS/SB 727 - This act creates and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education.

MISSOURI EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS PROGRAM (Sections 135.713, 135.714, 135.715, and 166.700)

This act modifies provisions relating to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program.

The act changes the maximum amount of tax credits that may be allocated in any year from $50 million to $75 million. Such maximum amount shall be increased annually by any percentage increase or decrease in the amount appropriated to school districts under the foundation formula. The act repeals a provision that the program shall be effective in any fiscal year immediately following any year in which the amount appropriated for pupil transportation equals or exceeds 40% of the projected amount necessary to fully fund transportation aid funding for fiscal year 2021. (Section 135.713)

The act modifies the scholarship distribution order to qualified students. The first students to receive scholarship funds shall be students who received scholarships in the previous year, followed by students who are siblings of students who are already receiving a scholarship. The act further outlines a distribution order that prioritizes funding to students who receive special education services, students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunch and who reside in an unaccredited or provisionally accredited school district, students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunch, and students who are the children of active duty military personnel who have relocated to Missouri.

The act modifies the total grant amount for students with an individualized education plan (IEP) or limited English proficiency or who receive free or reduced-price lunch. Students with limited English proficiency shall receive no more than 160% of the state adequacy target; students who receive free or reduced-price lunch shall receive no more than 125% of the state adequacy target; and students with an IEP shall receive no more than 175% of the state adequacy target. All other students shall receive a grant amount that does not exceed the state adequacy target.

The act provides that educational assistance organizations shall provide certain data that is currently provided only to the State Treasurer to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program Board, as well.

The act requires the State Treasurer to post certain information relating to scholarship recipients, qualified schools, and educational assistance organizations on the Treasurer's website annually. (Section 135.714)

The act repeals a provision that the annual increase to the cumulative amount of tax credits shall cease when the amount of tax credits reaches $50 million.

If the total contributions to educational assistance organizations exceed $25 million in any school year, the State Treasurer may certify one additional educational assistance organization to administer scholarship accounts. A maximum of seven, rather than six, educational assistance organizations may have their principal place of business in any one of the counties listed in the act.

The act provides that all laws and regulations that apply to employees of an educational assistance organization shall also apply to the actions of any employees of a private financial management firm while they are conducting work relating to the direct decision-making of the operation of such educational assistance organization.

The act modifies membership of the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Board by removing the Commissioner of Administration and adding an additional member to be appointed by the members of the board who is an employee of an educational assistance organization and whose responsibilities are directly related to such organization's involvement in the program. The board shall assist the State Treasurer with data collection, collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and making recommendations to the State Treasurer regarding the promulgation of rules concerning the program. (Section 135.715)

The act modifies the definition of "qualified school" by providing that FPE schools, rather than home schools, shall be qualified to participate in the program.

The act modifies the definition of "qualified student" by including any student who is a resident of this state, rather than only those students who live in a charter county or a city with at least 30,000 inhabitants, and who is not unlawfully present in the United States or a person who gained illegal entry into the United States. Such definition is further modified by including any student who is a member of a household whose total annual income is 300% or less than the income standard used to qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, rather than only those students whose household income is 200% or less than such standard. The definition is also modified by adding siblings of qualified students who received a scholarship in the previous year and will receive a scholarship in the current year. (Section 166.700)

These provisions are similar to SB 1118 (2024), SCS/SB 1391 (2024), SB 1392 (2024), HB 1615 (2024), HB 1738 (2024), HB 2104 (2024), HB 2620 (2024), SCS/SB 360 (2023), and provisions in SB 902 (2024) and in HCS/HB 350 (2023).

MINIMUM SCHOOL TERM (Sections 160.011, 160.041, 163.021, 171.028, 171.031, 171.033, 1, and B)

This act establishes provisions relating to the minimum school term.

The act modifies the definition of "school term" by providing that school districts located in charter counties or cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants shall have a school term that consists of at least 169 school days, unless the district has adopted a four-day school week, in which case a school term shall consist of at least 142 school days. (Sections 160.011, 163.021, 171.031, and 171.033)

The act repeals a provision specifying that school districts shall provide a minimum of 522 hours of actual pupil attendance for kindergarten pupils in order to receive state aid. (Section 163.021)

These provisions shall go into effect on July 1, 2026. (Section B)

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the act provides that school districts located wholly or partially in charter counties or cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants may adopt a four-day school week only upon a majority vote of the qualified voters of the school district, as provided in the act. (Section 171.028)

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall remit to any school district with a five-day school week an amount equal to 1% for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, or 2% for fiscal year 2028 and all subsequent fiscal years, of such district's preceding year's annual state aid entitlement as calculated in June. For school districts in which one or more charter schools operate, and for all charter schools located in such district, the calculation shall be made prior to any adjustment to the district's or charter school's state aid calculation pursuant to current requirements regarding state aid payments to charter schools.

Any funds received pursuant to this provision shall be used by school districts and charter schools exclusively to increase teacher salaries. Any school district or charter school that fails to utilize such funds solely to increase teacher salaries shall have an amount equal to the amount of the funds received withheld from the district's or charter school's state aid payments under current law. (Section 1)

These provisions are similar to SB 784 (2024), HB 1417 (2024), HB 1828 (2024), and HB 2812 (2024).

CHARTER SCHOOLS (Sections 160.400 and 160.415)

The act adds all school districts located in Boone County to the list of school districts in which a charter school may be operated by any entity currently authorized to operate a charter school under state law. Provisions of current law that provide for additional state aid to charter schools shall not apply to any charter school operated in Boone County.

This provision is similar to SB 920 (2024) and to provisions in SB 1006 (2024), in SCS/SB 1391 (2024), and in SB 1392 (2024).

The act also provides that all laws and regulations that apply to employees of a charter school shall also apply to the actions of any employees of a charter school management company while such employees are conducting any work relating to the direct decision-making of the operation of the charter school.

LITERACY OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS (Section 161.239)

This act establishes the "Elementary Literacy Fund" for the purpose of providing grants to school districts and charter schools for home reading programs for children in kindergarten to 5th grade. The General Assembly shall annually appropriate an amount not to exceed $5 million to the Fund, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall develop a process by which a district or charter school may apply for a grant. Any district or charter school that receives such a grant shall match any funds that are granted.

The act sets forth certain criteria for a home reading program to be considered eligible for a grant from the Fund. Such program's objective shall be to mail books to students' homes that the students select themselves at a reading level with which they are comfortable. The program shall allow for parental engagement, as specified in the act, and shall allow students to select between six and nine new books to keep. The program provider shall provide summary data on the program to the General Assembly and to DESE, and shall further maintain verification that the provider has secured the required matching funds from the district or charter school. The combined total cost of the program, including matching funds from the district or charter school, shall not exceed $60 per student per semester.

This provision is identical to SB 857 (2024).

MISSOURI COURSE ACCESS AND VIRTUAL SCHOOL PROGRAM (Section 161.670)

Under this act, the average daily attendance of a student who is enrolled full-time in the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program shall be calculated by dividing the total number of hours attended in a term by enrolled pupils between the ages of five and 21 years old by the actual number of hours that the program was in session in that term. Such calculation shall be generated by the virtual provider and provided to the host district for submission to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Full-time virtual school students may complete their instructional activities during any hour of the day and during any day of the week. The hours attended for each enrolled pupil shall be documented by the pupil's weekly progress in the educational program according to a process determined by the virtual program and published annually in the virtual program's enrollment handbook or policy. The full-time equivalent average daily attendance of summer school students shall be added to the average daily attendance of the following school term.

Host districts that enroll one or more full-time virtual school students shall receive an amount of state aid specified in the act for such students on a monthly basis.

The act provides that students who reside in Missouri may enroll in the virtual program of their choice. Provisions of current law regarding a school district's approval of a student's request to enroll in a virtual program shall not apply to full-time virtual program enrollment.

The act requires host districts to adopt student enrollment policies for full-time virtual students and allows virtual schools to mutually agree with resident and host districts on the services that the resident district might offer, including possible financial reimbursements for those services. For students with disabilities, the enrollment policy shall ensure the development of an individualized education program and related services agreement, as necessary.

The act requires a student's parent or guardian, if the student is not considered homeless, to apply for enrollment directly with the full-time virtual program.

The act specifies that student progress reports to the school district are necessary only for part-time virtual school program enrollees.

A host district may contract with a provider to perform any required services involved with delivering a full-time virtual education.

A full-time virtual school shall provide regular student progress reports to parents or guardians at least four times per school year.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in SS/HB 2287 (2024) and is similar to SB 780 (2024), SB 921 (2024), SB 1375 (2024), SB 545 (2023), and SS/HB 827 (2023).

FAMILY PACED EDUCATION (FPE) SCHOOLS (Sections 161.670, 162.996, 166.700, 167.012, 167.013, 167.031, 167.061, 167.600, 167.619, 210.167, 210.211, 211.031, and 452.375)

The act defines a "Family Paced Education school" or "FPE school" as a school that enrolls any student who participates in the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program and that satisfies certain other criteria relating to instruction. The current definition of "home school" is modified by specifying that a home school shall not enroll any student who participates in such Program, and a home school is not an FPE school. The act applies to FPE schools several provisions of law that currently apply to home schools, including provisions relating to child custody and the licensing of child care providers.

SCHOOL BOARD VACANCIES (Sections 162.471, 162.492, and 162.611)

Under current law, any vacancy on an urban school board shall be filled by special election. Under this act, the remaining members of the board shall fill any such vacancy by appointment until the next school board election.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 885 (2024) and in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023) and are substantially similar to provisions in HB 2161 (2024), in HCS/HB 2206 (2024), in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 4, 42 & 89 (2023), in HCS/SB 155 (2023), in HCS/HB 497 (2023), and in HB 716 (2023).

Current law also provides that any vacancy that occurs on the City of St. Louis school board outside of the normal election cycle shall be filled by appointment by the mayor for the remainder of the term. Under this act, the City of St. Louis school board shall fill any such vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the term.

This provision is identical to provisions in SB 885 (2024), in HB 2161 (2024), in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 4, 42 & 89 (2023), in CCS/HS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 96 (2023), in HCS/SB 155 (2023), in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023), in HCS/HB 497, and in HB 716 (2023), and is identical to SB 363 (2023) and HB 914 (2023).

WEIGHTED AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE (Section 163.011)

This act modifies the definition of "weighted average daily attendance" as used in the education funding formula by adding to such definition a weighting factor relating to school district enrollment.

"Membership" is defined in current law as the average number of students enrolled in a school district who attended school at least one day during ten days at the end of January and September.

The act defines "weighted membership" as the current law definition of "membership" multiplied by certain weighting factors relating to the number of students who fall into certain population groups, such as the number of students who receive special educational services above a certain threshold number that is determined in a manner provided for in current law.

Weighted membership shall be included in the calculation of a school district's weighted average daily attendance beginning in the 2026 fiscal year. In 2026, a district's weighted average daily attendance shall be calculated as the sum of 90% of such district's weighted average daily attendance as calculated in current law, plus 10% of such district's weighted membership. The percent of weighted membership included in such calculation shall increase by 10% each year until 2030, when a district's weighted average daily attendance shall be calculated as the sum of 50% of such district's weighted average daily attendance as calculated in current law, plus 50% of such district's weighted membership.

The same modification is made in the calculation of weighted average daily attendance for special school districts.

This provision is similar to SB 1378 (2024).

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS OPERATED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS (Section 163.018)

Currently, children between three and five years old who are eligible for free and reduced price lunch and attend an early childhood education program operated by a school district or a charter school may be included in such district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance, provided that the total number of such pupils does not exceed 4% of the total number of pupils between 5 and 18 years old who are eligible for free and reduced price lunch and who are included in such district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance. This act increases such percentage to 8%.

SMALL SCHOOLS GRANT (Section 163.044)

The act increases the Small Schools Grant appropriation from $15 million to $30 million. Of such moneys, $20 million, rather than $10 million, shall be distributed to the eligible districts, as described in the act, in proportion to their average daily attendance, and $10 million, rather than $5 million, shall be directed to the eligible districts that have an operating levy for school purposes in the current year in an amount specified in the act.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS' LOCAL EFFORT FIGURES (Section 163.096)

Beginning August 28, 2024, this act requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to recalculate the local effort figure of any school district that, in fiscal year 2005, recorded revenues from intangible taxes, the merchants' and manufacturers' surcharge, and payments in lieu of taxes other than tax increment financing in the district's teacher and incidental funds that caused an elevation of the district's local effort figure. The Department must calculate the amount of state aid such a district would have received had the district placed these revenues in the capital projects fund or the debt service fund for payments subsequent to August 28, 2024.

This provision is identical to SB 1479 (2024) and HB 2918 (2024) and is similar to SB 272 (2017) and HB 633 (2017).

MINIMUM TEACHER'S SALARY (Section 163.172)

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, this act increases the minimum teacher's salary from $25,000 to $40,000. For teachers with a master's degree and at least ten years of experience, this act increases the minimum salary from $33,000 to $46,000 for the 2025-26 school year and further increases such salary by $1,000 each year until the 2027-2028 school year, when the minimum shall be $48,000.

In the 2028-29 school year and in all subsequent school years, the minimum teacher's salaries shall additionally be adjusted annually by the percentage increase in inflation, as such term is defined in the act. The State Board of Education shall publish the minimum salaries annually in February beginning in calendar year 2026. Modifications to the minimum salaries shall take effect on July 1 of each calendar year.

The act creates the "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Fund" and "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program" for the purpose of increasing minimum teacher's salaries. The General Assembly may appropriate moneys to the Fund, provided that the total amount appropriated shall not exceed the amount necessary to assist each school district in increasing minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act. School districts may apply to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for a grant from the Fund, provided that a grant shall not exceed the amount necessary for a district to increase minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act.

This provision is similar to provisions in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1014 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE (Sections 167.031 and 595.209)

The act provides that a child may be excused from attendance at school if the child is unable to attend school due to mental or behavioral health concerns, provided that the school receives documentation from a mental health professional.

This provision is identical to SB 761 (2024) and SB 122 (2023) and is similar to HB 2343 (2024).

The act also provides that a public school district, public school, or charter school shall not discipline a child for failure to comply with the district's or school's attendance policy, and the parent or legal guardian shall not be deemed to be in violation of the compulsory attendance law, based on such child's honoring a subpoena to testify in a criminal proceeding, attending a criminal proceeding, or for participating in the preparation of a criminal proceeding.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS (Section 167.071)

The act repeals a provision authorizing a seven-director school district to appoint a school attendance officer who has the powers of a deputy sheriff and may investigate claims of violations of the compulsory attendance law and arrest truant juveniles without a warrant.

This provision is identical to provisions in SCS/SB 819 (2024), in SB 902 (2024), in HB 1905 (2024), and in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023).

RECOVERY HIGH SCHOOLS (Section 167.850)

This act changes the deadline for a school district to submit a proposal to operate a recovery high school from December 1st of the school year preceding the beginning of operation of the recovery high school to July 1st.

This provision is identical to SB 1393 (2024).

TEACHER CERTIFICATION (Section 168.021)

Current law requires candidates for a teaching license to satisfy certain criteria, including obtaining the recommendation of a state-approved, baccalaureate-level teacher preparation program.

Under this act, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop an eighteen hour, online teacher preparation program related to subjects appropriate for teachers in different content areas determined by the Department. The Department may contract with an entity skilled in developing online teacher preparation programs or a charitable organization registered in Missouri to develop and maintain the online teacher preparation program. Such entity or charitable organization shall be certified to develop and maintain the program by the Department. An individual with a bachelor's degree may complete the online training program and receive a certificate of license to teach. However, such certificate shall not be accepted by Missouri public schools, but shall be accepted by private schools and private school accrediting agencies.

The act also provides that the State Board of Education shall issue an additional professional subject-area teaching certification for specific content knowledge or for a specialty area to a teaching certificate holder who applies for an additional professional subject-area certification, successfully achieves an acceptable score on the state-approved teacher evaluation system, receives a recommendation from the employing school district, and completes a background check.

This provision is similar to SB 1394 (2024), HB 1786 (2024), and provisions in SS/HB 2287 (2024) and in HCS/HB 1447 (2024).

HARD-TO-STAFF SCHOOLS AND SUBJECT AREAS (Section 168.110)

The act provides that a school board may include differentiated placement of teachers on the salary schedule to increase compensation in order to recruit and retain teachers in hard-to-staff subject areas or schools, as the terms "hard-to-staff schools" and "hard-to-staff subject areas" are defined in the act. No modifications to the identification of hard-to-staff subject areas or schools shall result in the demotion of a teacher in the salary schedule. Each school district that includes differentiated placement of teachers on the district salary schedule shall annually provide to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education a report containing information outlined in the act.

This provision is identical to provisions in HB 1648 (2024) and in HCS/HB 1447 (2024) and is similar to HB 190 (2023) and to provisions in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS (Section 168.400)

The act repeals provisions of current law that require preservice teacher education programs to include a program of entry-level testing of all prospective teacher education students to be administered by the Commissioner of Education.

This provision is identical to provisions in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

CAREER LADDER (Section 168.500)

Currently, public school teachers become eligible for the Career Ladder program after two years of public school teaching in Missouri. This act provides that the two year-requirement shall not apply to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or such member's spouse who has teaching experience in another state and who has transferred to this state.

The act repeals a provision of current law that teachers' Career Ladder responsibilities and career efforts shall be required to occur outside of compensated hours. The act also specifies that teachers may receive Career Ladder admission and stage achievement for certain activities that are not included in the duties that require a teaching certificate under current law.

The act adds serving as a mentor for teachers to the list of activities for which teachers may receive Career Ladder admission and stage achievement.

This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/HB 1447 (2024) and is similar to provisions in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1014 (2024), and in SB 1163 (2024).

PSRS/PEERS - WORKING AFTER RETIREMENT LIMITS (Sections 169.560 and 169.660)

Currently, a retired member, except for those retired due to disability, of the Public School Retirement System ("PSRS") may work after retirement in a certified position with a covered employer without discontinuance of his or her retirement benefits if the member does not exceed 550 hours of work each school year and 50% of the annual compensation to the person who last held the position. This act provides that the member, including those retired due to disability, may earn up to 50% of the annual compensation to the person who last held the position or 50% of the limit set by the employer's school board for the position which has been submitted and approved by the Board of Trustees of PSRS.

Additionally, current law provides that if a member of PSRS or the Public Education Employee Retirement System ("PEERS") is in excess of the limitations, the member shall not be eligible to receive the retirement allowance for any month so employed. This act provides that either member shall not be eligible to receive the retirement allowance for any month so employed or the retirement system shall recover the amount earned in excess of the limitations, whichever is less.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2431 (2024) and in HCS/SS/SB 898 (2024) and are similar to SB 1286 (2024) and HB 2906 (2024).

SUICIDE PREVENTION IN GRADES 7-12 (Section 170.048)

This act modifies provisions of current law that require suicide prevention information to be printed on the identification cards of public school students in grades 7-12. Beginning July 1, 2025, the act adds to such information the non-emergency phone number of the local police department. The identification cards may also include the phone number of the Crisis Text Line and the phone number of a local suicide prevention hotline, if such hotline is available.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 762 (2024).

TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION STATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (Section 173.232)

The act changes the name of the "Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program" to the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program." The corresponding state treasury fund is also renamed accordingly.

The act provides that scholarship funds may be used to cover up to 100% of the tuition costs related to teacher preparation at a four-year college or university located in Missouri, except that no amount granted for tuition shall exceed the amount of tuition charged a Missouri resident at the University of Missouri-Columbia for attendance.

The number of years a student may receive a scholarship is reduced from four to two years. The number of students who may receive a scholarship is increased from 100 to 200 in the 2025-26 academic year, or a maximum awarded amount of $1.2 million dollars. The act further increases the maximum number of scholarships or the maximum awarded amount for each year through the 2030-31 academic year, when the maximum shall be 600 scholarships or a maximum awarded amount of $3.4 million, as provided in the act.

Scholarship recipients after June 30, 2025, shall sign a statement that they have made a good faith effort to secure all available federal sources of grant funding.

The act a repeals a provision that a student must have attended a Missouri high school in order to be eligible for a scholarship.

To be eligible for a scholarship, recipients shall sign an agreement to teach in a Missouri public school that is a hard-to-staff school or to teach at least one hard-to-staff subject area in a Missouri public school, or both, for two years for every one year the recipient receives a scholarship. The act defines a "hard-to-staff school" as an attendance center where the percentage of certificated positions that were left vacant or were filled with a teacher not fully qualified in the prior academic year exceeds 10% as reported to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. A "hard-to-staff subject area" is defined as a content area for which positions were left vacant or were filled with a teacher not fully qualified in the prior academic year.

The scholarships provided in the act shall be available to students who have successfully completed 48 credit hours at a community college, who have been awarded an associate degree, or who have completed 60 credit hours at a four-year college, as provided in the act.

The act modifies the interest rate paid by scholarship recipients who do not follow through on their agreement to teach in a hard-to-staff subject or school and must therefore repay their scholarship award as a loan.

An individual who has qualified as an eligible student under the act shall continue to qualify as an eligible student as long as he or she remains employed by the school district in which he or she agreed to teach, regardless of whether his or her employing school no longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff school, the class he or she teaches longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff subject area, or his or her position within the school district changes.

This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/HB 1447 (2024) and is similar to SB 1013 (2024), HB 2092 (2024), HB 2335 (2024), and to provisions in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

05/07/2024

G - Signed by the Governor

SB742 - Authorizes tax credits for child care

Sponsor:

Sen. Lauren Arthur (D)

Summary:

SS/SB 742 - This act establishes provisions relating to tax credits for child care.

CHILD CARE CONTRIBUTION TAX CREDIT

This act establishes the "Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Act".

For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, this act authorizes a tax credit in an amount equal to 75% of the taxpayer's contribution to a child care provider or intermediary, as such terms are defined in the act. A child care provider or intermediary shall file a contribution verification with the Department of Economic Development within sixty days of receiving a contribution, and shall issue a copy of such verification to the taxpayer. A failure to issue a contribution verification to a taxpayer shall entitle the taxpayer to a refund of the contribution. Contributions made to intermediaries shall be distributed in full to one or more child care providers within two years of the intermediary receiving such contribution.

Contributions made under the act shall be used directly by a child care provider to promote child care for children 12 years of age and younger, shall not be made to a child care provider in which the taxpayer has a direct financial interest, and shall not be made in exchange for care of a child or children unless the contribution is made by an employer purchasing child care for the children of the employer's employees. A child care provider or intermediary that uses a contribution for an ineligible purpose shall repay to the Department the value of the tax credit used for such ineligible purpose.

Tax credits authorized by the act shall not be refundable or transferable, but may be carried forward for up to six tax years. Notwithstanding this provision, taxpayers that are exempt for federal tax purposes shall be eligible for a refund of any tax credits received under this act, as described in the act.

The maximum amount of tax credits that shall be authorized in a calendar year shall not exceed $20 million. If the maximum amount of tax credits is authorized in a calendar year, the maximum amount of tax credits that may be authorized in subsequent years shall be increased by 15%, provided that all such increases in the allowable amount of tax credits shall be reserved for contributions made to child care providers located in a child care desert, as such term is defined in the act.

This provision shall sunset on December 31, 2030, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. (Section 135.1310)

EMPLOYER PROVIDED CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE TAX CREDIT

This act establishes the "Employer-Provided Child Care Assistance Tax Credit Act".

For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, this act authorizes a tax credit in an amount equal to 30% of qualified child care expenditures, as defined in the act, paid or incurred by an employer with two or more employees providing child care for its employees. The amount of the tax credit authorized under this act shall not exceed $200,000 per taxpayer per tax year. A facility shall not be considered a child care facility for the purposes of the act unless enrollment in the facility is open to the dependents of the taxpayer during the tax year, provided that the dependents fall within the age range ordinarily cared for by, and only require a level of care ordinarily provided by, such facility.

The maximum amount of tax credits that shall be authorized in a calendar year shall not exceed $20 million. If the maximum amount of tax credits is authorized in a calendar year, the maximum amount of tax credits that may be authorized in subsequent years shall be increased by 15%, provided that all such increases in the allowable amount of tax credits shall be reserved for qualified child care expenditures for child care facilities located in a child care desert, as such term is defined in the act.

Tax credits authorized by this act shall be subject to recapture, as described in the act.

This provision shall sunset on December 31, 2030, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. (Section 135.1325)

CHILD CARE PROVIDERS TAX CREDIT

This act establishes the "Child Care Providers Tax Credit Act".

For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, this act authorizes child care providers with three or more employees to claim a tax credit in an amount equal to the child care provider's eligible employer withholding tax, as defined in the act, and may also claim a tax credit in an amount up to 30% of the child care provider's capital expenditures, as defined in the act, provided that such capital expenditures are not less than $1,000. The amount of the tax credit authorized under this act shall not exceed $200,000 per child care provider per tax year.

A child care provider shall submit to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education an application for the tax credit on a form to be provided by the Department. The child care provider shall provide proof of any capital expenditures for which the provider is claiming a tax credit.

The maximum amount of tax credits that shall be authorized in a calendar year shall not exceed $20 million. If the maximum amount of tax credits is authorized in a calendar year, the maximum amount of tax credits that may be authorized in subsequent years shall be increased by 15%, provided that all such increases in the allowable amount of tax credits shall be reserved for child care providers located in a child care desert, as such term is defined in the act.

This provision shall sunset on December 31, 2030, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. (Section 135.1350)

This act is identical to HB 1488 (2024) and to provisions in SCS/HB 2170 (2024), and is substantially similar to provisions in HCS/SS/SB 143 (2023), SCS/SB 184 (2023), SB 509 (2023), SS#3/HCS/HB 268 (2023), HCS/HB 350 (2023), SCS/HCS/HB 668 (2023), and HCS/HB 870 (2023).

JOSH NORBERG

Last Action:

02/27/2024

S - Placed on Informal Calendar

SB743 - Modifies provisions relating to state funding for certain early childhood education programs

Sponsor:

Sen. Lauren Arthur (D)

Summary:

SB 743 - Currently, children between three and five years old who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch and attend an early childhood education program operated by a school district or a charter school may be included in such district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance. The total number of such pupils shall not exceed 4% of the total number of pupils between 5 and 18 years old who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch and who are included in such district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance.

Under this act, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall remit to school districts and charter schools an amount equal to the product of the state adequacy target, the dollar-value modifier, and the average daily attendance of pupils who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch and who attend, in the year prior to their kindergarten enrollment eligibility, an early childhood education program that is operated by a school district or a charter school. Three-year-old pupils and other pupils who are more than one year prior to kindergarten enrollment eligibility, who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, and who attend such early childhood education programs shall be included in a district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance under existing law.

Any increase in a school district's average daily attendance that occurs as a result of the provisions of the act shall not disqualify such school district for certain state aid payments under current law.

This act is similar to SB 495 (2023), HB 833 (2023), and HB 933 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/08/2024

S - Referred to Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development

SB871 - Modifies provisions relating to state funding for early childhood education programs

Sponsor:

Sen. Karla Eslinger (R)

Summary:

SB 871 - Currently, children between three and five years old who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch and attend an early childhood education program operated by a school district or a charter school may be included in such district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance. The total number of such pupils shall not exceed 4% of the total number of pupils between 5 and 18 years old who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch and who are included in such district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance.

This act is similar to SB 495 (2023), HB 833 (2023), and HB 933 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

03/25/2024

S - Removed from Senate Hearing Agenda - Senate-Select Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children - 3/26/24 - 10:30 am - SCR 1

SB955 - Establishes provisions relating to teacher recruitment and retention and creates the "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program" and the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program"

Sponsor:

Sen. Karla Eslinger (R)

Summary:

SB 955 - This act establishes provisions relating to teacher recruitment and retention. The act creates the "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program" and changes the name of the "Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program" to the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program."

MINIMUM TEACHER'S SALARY (Section 163.172)

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, this act increases the minimum teacher's salary from $25,000 to $38,000.

For teachers with a master's degree and at least ten years of experience, this act increases the minimum salary from $33,000 to $44,000 for the 2025-26 school year and further increases such salary by $1,000 each year until the 2029-2030 school year, when the minimum shall be $48,000. In the 2026-27 school year and in all subsequent school years, such minimum salary shall additionally be adjusted annually by the percentage increase in inflation, as such term is defined in the act. The State Board of Education shall publish such minimum salaries annually beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The act creates the "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Fund" and "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program" for the purpose of increasing minimum teacher's salaries. The General Assembly may appropriate moneys to the Fund, provided that the total amount appropriated shall not exceed the amount necessary to assist each school district in increasing minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act. For the 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28 school years, each school district may apply to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for a grant from the Fund, provided that a grant shall not exceed 70% of the amount necessary for a district to increase minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act. The remaining 30% of the amount necessary to increase minimum teacher's salaries shall be allocated from the district's local effort funding as provided in current law. These provisions shall expire on December 31, 2028.

This provision is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 1014 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

HARD-TO-STAFF SCHOOLS AND SUBJECT AREAS (Section 168.110)

The act provides that a school board may include differentiated placement of teachers on the salary schedule to increase compensation in order to recruit and retain teachers in hard-to-staff subject areas or schools. No modifications to the identification of hard-to-staff subject areas or schools shall result in the demotion of a teacher in the salary schedule. Each school district that includes differentiated placement of teachers on the district salary schedule shall annually provide to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education a report containing information outlined in the act.

This provision is identical to HB 190 (2023) and to a provision in SB 1163 (2024) and is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), in HB 1648 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS (Section 168.400)

This provision is identical to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

CAREER LADDER (168.500)

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 1163 (2024) and is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 1014 (2024), and in HCS/HB 1447 (2024).

TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION STATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (173.232)

The act changes the name of the "Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program" to the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program". The corresponding state treasury fund is also renamed accordingly.

The number of years a student may receive a scholarship is reduced from four to two years. The number of students who may receive a scholarship is increased from 100 to 200 in the 2025-26 academic year, with 20 more students being added in each subsequent year until 2030-31 and all subsequent academic years, when 300 students may receive scholarships.

To be eligible for a scholarship, recipients shall sign an agreement to teach in a hard-to-staff subject or a hard-to-staff school, as defined in the act, in a Missouri public school for two years for every one year the recipient receives a scholarship. Recipients after June 30, 2025 shall also sign a statement that they have made a good faith effort to secure all available federal sources of grant funding.

The scholarships provided in the act shall be available to students who have successfully completed two years at a community college, been awarded an associate degree or the equivalent, or have completed their baccalaureate degree.

An individual who has qualified as an eligible student under the act shall continue to qualify as an eligible student as long as he or she remains employed by the school district in which he or she agrees to teach, regardless of whether his or her employing school no longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff school, the class he or she teaches longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff subject area, or his or her position within the school district changes.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 1163 (2024) and is similar to SB 1013 (2024), to HB 2092 (2024), to HB 2335 (2024), and to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 955 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/25/2024

S - Referred to Senate-Select Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children

SB1013 - Establishes the Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program

Sponsor:

Sen. Lauren Arthur (D)

Summary:

SB 1013 - The act changes the name of the "Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program" to the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program". The corresponding state treasury fund is also renamed accordingly.

The act provides that scholarship funds may be used to cover up to 100% of the cost of tuition, university-charged fees, and other costs directly associated with teacher preparation, as approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The number of years a student may receive a scholarship is reduced from four to two years. The number of students who may receive a scholarship is increased from 100 to 200 in the 2025-26 academic year, with 20 more students being added in each subsequent year until 2030-31 and all subsequent academic years, when 300 students may receive scholarships.

Scholarship recipients after June 30, 2025, shall sign a statement that they have made a good faith effort to secure all available federal sources of grant funding.

The act a repeals a provision that a student must have attended a Missouri high school in order to be eligible for a scholarship.

To be eligible for a scholarship, recipients shall sign an agreement to student teach at, apply for, interview for, and accept a position, if offered, in a Missouri public school that is a hard-to-staff school or to teach at least one hard-to-staff subject area in a Missouri public school, or both, for two years for every one year the recipient receives a scholarship. The act defines a "hard-to-staff school" as an attendance center where the percentage of certificated positions that were left vacant or were filled with a teacher not fully qualified in the prior academic year exceeds 5% as reported to the Department. A "hard-to-staff subject area" is defined as a content area for which positions were left vacant or were filled with a teacher not fully qualified in the prior academic year.

The scholarships provided in the act shall be available to students who have successfully completed 48 credit hours at an institution of higher education.

This act is similar to HB 2092 (2024), HB 2335 (2024), and to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1163 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/25/2024

S - Referred to Senate-Select Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children

SB1080 - Modifies terms used in the elementary and secondary school funding formula

Sponsor:

Sen. Lauren Arthur (D)

Summary:

SB 1080 - Currently, in calculating the current operating expenditures of a public school district, the calculated amount is annually recalculated by adding certain increases in funding from the school funding formula but not to exceed five percent per recalculation. This act increases such percentage to ten percent. Further, current law requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to recalculate the state adequacy target for certain school districts as used in the school funding formula every two years using the most current available data. This act provides that any increases in average daily attendance over ten percent, per recalculation, shall not be included in the calculation of the state adequacy target.

This act also modifies the definition of "weighted average daily attendance" as used in the public school funding formula by multiplying .25 by the higher of the current law definition of free and reduced price lunch pupil count that exceeds the free and reduced price lunch threshold or the Census Bureau poverty pupil count, as defined in the act.

This act is identical to SB 17 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/25/2024

S - Referred to Senate-Select Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children

SB1163 - Establishes provisions relating to teacher recruitment and retention and creates the "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program" and the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program"

Sponsor:

Sen. Rusty Black (R)

Summary:

SB 1163 - This act establishes provisions relating to teacher recruitment and retention. The act creates the "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program" and changes the name of the "Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program" to the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program."

MINIMUM TEACHER'S SALARY (Section 163.172)

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, this act increases the minimum teacher's salary from $25,000 to $38,000.

The act creates the "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Fund" and "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program" for the purpose of increasing minimum teacher's salaries. The General Assembly may appropriate moneys to the Fund, provided that the total amount appropriated shall not exceed the amount necessary to assist each school district in increasing minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act. For the 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28 school years, each school district may apply to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for a grant from the Fund, provided that a grant shall not exceed 70% of the amount necessary for a district to increase minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act. The remaining 30% of the amount necessary to increase minimum teacher's salaries shall be allocated from the district's local effort funding as provided in current law. These provisions shall expire on December 31, 2028.

These provisions are similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 955 (2024), in SB 1014 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

HARD-TO-STAFF SCHOOLS AND SUBJECT AREAS (Section 168.110)

The act provides that a school board may include differentiated placement of teachers on the salary schedule to increase compensation in order to recruit and retain teachers in hard-to-staff subject areas or schools. No modifications to the identification of hard-to-staff subject areas or schools shall result in the demotion of a teacher in the salary schedule. Each school district that includes differentiated placement of teachers on the district salary schedule shall annually provide to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education a report containing information outlined in the act.

This provision is identical to HB 190 (2023) and to a provision in SB 955 (2024) and is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), in HB 1648 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS (Section 168.400)

This provision is identical to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 955 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

CAREER LADDER (Section 168.500)

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 955 (2024) and is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 1014 (2024), and in HCS/HB 1447 (2024).

TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION STATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (Section 173.232)

The number of years a student may receive a scholarship is reduced from four to two years. The number of students who may receive a scholarship is increased from 100 to 200 in the 2025-26 academic year, with 20 more students being added in each subsequent year until 2030-31 and all subsequent academic years, when 300 students may receive scholarships.

An individual who has qualified as an eligible student under the act shall continue to qualify as an eligible student as long as he or she remains employed by the school district in which he or she agrees to teach, regardless of whether his or her employing school no longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff school, the class he or she teaches longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff subject area, or his or her position within the school district changes.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 955 (2024) and is similar to SB 1013 (2024), HB 2092 (2024), HB 2335 (2024), and to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024), in SB 955 (2024), in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and in HCS/HB 497 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

01/25/2024

S - Referred to Senate-Select Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children

SB1378 - Modifies the definition of "weighted average daily attendance" as used in the education funding formula

Sponsor:

Sen. Lauren Arthur (D)

Summary:

SB 1378 - This act modifies the definition of "weighted average daily attendance" as used in the education funding formula by adding to such definition a weighting factor relating to school district enrollment.

"Membership" is defined in current law as the average number of students enrolled in a school district who attended school at least one day during ten days at the end of January and September.

The act provides that a school district's weighted average daily attendance shall be calculated as the sum of 50% of such district's weighted average daily attendance as calculated in current law, plus 50% of such district's weighted membership.

The same modification is made in the calculation of weighted average daily attendance for special school districts.

The provisions of this act shall become effective July 1, 2025.

This act is similar to a provision in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Last Action:

02/08/2024

S - Referred to Senate-Select Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children

SB1447 - Authorizes a sales tax for early childhood educational services

Sponsor:

Sen. Brian Williams (D)

Summary:

SB 1447 - This act authorizes St. Louis County to impose a sales tax for the purpose of funding early childhood educational services in the district. The tax shall not exceed 0.25%.

This act is substantially similar to HB 373 (2023).

JOSH NORBERG

Last Action:

04/30/2024

S - Voted Do Pass