HB 3359 creates a tax credit allowing Missouri taxpayers to reduce their state income tax by 20% of qualifying donations to STEAM or robotics programs in local K-12 schools, with a maximum annual credit of $50,000 per taxpayer. Eligible donations include cash, educational materials, or up to 200 hours of employee time per year (valued at the employee's hourly wage). The program is capped at $10 million in total credits annually, and unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven years. This initiative, set to expire after six years unless renewed, requires schools to register with the state and mandates annual reporting on program participation and costs.
HB 2909 requires public schools to include specific human sexuality and development instruction for students, directly affecting K-12 students in the state. The bill mandates medically accurate lessons covering abstinence, sexually transmitted diseases, contraception effectiveness, emotional consequences of teen sex, conflict management, and online safety. Crucially, it requires schools to show two specific videos during instruction: a fetal development ultrasound and the "Meet Baby Olivia" video depicting human gestation. Parents must be notified of the curriculum content and can opt their child out of any portion of the instruction. The bill also prohibits school personnel from providing abortion-related materials or services.
HB 2965 requires Missouri school districts to implement a new graduation requirement starting in the 2027-28 school year. The bill mandates the state education department to develop a curriculum framework for Black history and Black literature courses in grades 9-12, to be adopted by the state board of education by 2027-28. All Missouri high school students must complete one unit of credit each in Black history and Black literature to earn a diploma, with limited waivers for transfer students who completed similar courses elsewhere. This policy directly affects public high school students and school districts across Missouri.
HB 2773 requires all public elementary schools in the state to teach cursive writing, ensuring students can produce legible cursive handwriting by the end of fifth grade. Students must pass a teacher-created test demonstrating proficiency in both reading and writing cursive. The law directly affects elementary students and school districts, mandating this instruction as part of their curriculum. It does not specify teaching methods but sets a clear proficiency standard for fifth-grade students.
HB 2748 requires all elementary school students (including those in alternative programs and with disabilities, as appropriate under disability laws) to participate in at least 60 minutes daily of supervised moderate physical activity starting in the 2026-27 school year. It also mandates a minimum 20-minute daily recess in elementary schools and allows middle school students to meet activity requirements through 225 minutes weekly of physical activity. The bill establishes a state recognition program for schools showing fitness improvements and permits districts to meet requirements through recess, physical education, or approved activities. These changes directly affect public school districts, students, and physical education staff across the state.
HB 2772 establishes the "Youth Workforce Development Program" to provide job training, certifications, and life skills to at-risk youth aged 12-21 in counties with over 1 million residents or cities outside counties. The program, administered by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, offers vocational training, high school diplomas, internships with local businesses, and mental health support - specifically requiring juvenile detention facilities to provide these services to youth held there. A dedicated state fund finances the program, covering costs like transportation, childcare, mental health services, and internship stipends, with annual reports tracking participant employment rates and recidivism. The program targets youth involved in juvenile justice, those with school suspensions, homelessness, or other risk factors, aiming to improve workforce readiness and reduce future system involvement.
HB 2 allocates $6.74 billion in state and federal funds for Missouri's public education system during fiscal year 2026. It directly funds the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, including programs like the School Foundation Program (which supports public schools), Summer EBT benefits, and administrative operations. The bill specifies exact funding sources (e.g., General Revenue, Lottery Proceeds, and State School Moneys Funds) and prohibits using funds for sharing student data for non-educational purposes. This appropriation ensures constitutional compliance while covering expenses, grants, refunds, and distributions for K-12 education across the state.
HB 2680 requires Missouri high school career and technical education (CTE) programs to offer courses leading to insurance licensing and certification. The bill mandates that the state education department develop a model curriculum framework for insurance certification, to be available for use starting in the 2027-28 school year. By the 2028-29 school year, all CTE programs must adopt this framework or a substantially similar one. This policy directly affects Missouri high school students enrolled in CTE programs, providing a structured pathway to obtain insurance industry credentials.
HB 3102 establishes the "A+ Schools Program" to support public secondary schools in Missouri. It requires participating schools to meet specific standards, including ensuring all students graduate with challenging coursework, earn college credits or secure postsecondary pathways, and implement measurable performance plans. Schools must develop community partnerships involving businesses and educators, and nonpublic schools meeting criteria can also qualify for student reimbursement of postsecondary education costs. The program provides grants for schools meeting these requirements, with annual reimbursement for eligible students attending public or approved private colleges/vocational schools after graduating from qualifying high schools.
HB 2932, as detailed in the provided text, focuses on educational stability for foster care children and preventing high school dropouts. It requires school districts to prioritize a child’s school of origin during foster care placements (if the new location is over 10 miles away), ensures grades aren’t penalized for absences due to foster care transitions or court appearances, and mandates credit acceptance for coursework completed in any public, nonpublic, or nonsectarian school. The bill also allocates state funds for competitive grants to public colleges, universities, and community organizations to provide dropout prevention services - including tutoring, counseling, and family support - to at-risk students, with services required to occur at nonsectarian sites for nonpublic school students. These provisions aim to reduce educational disruptions for vulnerable youth while ensuring equitable access to support programs.
