Education

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2185: Modifies provisions governing qualified students who receive Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program grants

HB 2185 modifies eligibility rules for Missouri's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program by updating definitions in the law. It defines a "qualified student" as either a child with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) under federal special education law, or an elementary/secondary student from a household earning ≤300% of the income standard for free/reduced lunch who recently attended public school, is kindergarten-ready, or is a sibling of a current scholarship recipient. The bill directly affects Missouri students seeking these scholarships to attend approved schools, including private schools, charter schools, public schools, or early childhood centers. It does not change scholarship amounts or funding but clarifies who qualifies under the program's current structure. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled and read twice in 2026).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access to low-income students (≤300% income) and IEP-eligible children, increasing educational choice and funding options for qualifying families under the Empowerment Scholarship Program.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice Special Education

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2209: Modifies provisions governing civics instruction in schools

HB 2209 requires all Missouri public and private high schools (excluding trade schools) to offer a civics course covering U.S. and Missouri government, electoral processes, and American history by 9th-12th grade. Students must pass a 100-question exam (similar to the U.S. citizenship test) on civics, U.S. Constitution, and American history to graduate. The bill includes exceptions for transfer students with prior documentation and students with disabilities via IEP recommendations. It also mandates that American history courses include coverage of the racial equality movement's impact on laws and attitudes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates civics curriculum and exam to strengthen student knowledge of government/history, directly advancing educational standards per bill's requirements.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Special Education Testing & Assessment

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died · Missouri · House Dec 18, 2025

HB 2442: Modifies provisions governing responsibilities of the department of elementary and secondary education

HB 2442 modifies Missouri's education assessment rules by replacing outdated provisions with new requirements for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The bill directly affects public schools, charter schools, and school districts by prohibiting the use of test results to classify school districts (Section 160.518, subsection 13) and banning assessments focused solely on rote memorization. Its key mechanism creates an "Outstanding Schools Waiver" program: schools meeting performance criteria for three consecutive years can apply for exemptions from certain testing requirements and state regulations under Section 160.518, subsection 4. The changes aim to align assessments with federal standards while emphasizing critical thinking skills over memorization, with waivers limited to qualifying schools within a district.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill replaces outdated assessment rules, bans rote memorization tests, and creates waiver program to reduce punitive school classification, promoting more meaningful evaluation methods in education.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 1627: Modifies provisions governing the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council

HB 1627 creates a new "Career and Technical Education Advisory Council" within Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The council, composed of 16 appointed members (including business representatives, educators, student organization advisors, community college reps, and legislative appointees), will develop a statewide strategic plan for career and technical education programs. It must identify service gaps, recommend legislative improvements, oversee student organization funds, and provide annual reports to education officials. The bill also requires the council to post meeting materials and decisions online 48 hours after meetings, ensuring public transparency in its work. This bill directly affects Missouri's career and technical education programs, students, educators, and businesses involved in workforce development.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates advisory council to develop strategic plan for CTE programs, identify service gaps, and recommend legislative improvements, enhancing career education initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2317: Requires the observation of Black History Month in school districts

HB 2317 requires Missouri public school districts to implement educational programs and activities during February that honor Black Americans' historical struggles and triumphs. Specifically, each public school must dedicate at least one class period in February to these activities, as determined by school boards and administrators. The bill directly affects all public schools within Missouri school districts by mandating a structured, annual observance. It focuses on educational content rather than ceremonial actions, with no specific curriculum requirements specified.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates required curriculum content on Black history in K-12 schools, enhancing educational programming and access to diverse historical perspectives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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passed · Missouri · House May 7, 2026

HB 2230: Establishes provisions relating to instructional methods in schools

This bill limits digital instruction to 45 minutes daily for elementary students in kindergarten through grade five and requires at least 70% of assignments to be completed using pen, paper, or handwriting practice. It mandates daily access to printed books, hands-on learning tools (like blocks or science materials) in core subjects, and explicit cursive handwriting instruction starting in grade two, with requirements to read/write legible cursive by grade five. Exemptions apply for students with IEPs or 504 plans, and schools must adopt written technology-use policies, report device usage, and verify compliance with paper-based and cursive requirements. The law takes effect for the 2027-28 school year.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts digital instruction to 45 mins/day, mandates 70% handwritten assignments, and requires cursive instruction - limiting tech use in elementary education.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly limits digital instruction time and mandates non-digital alternatives (pen/paper, printed books) in elementary education, directly restricting technology use in learning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Libraries

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2157: Enacts provisions requiring school districts to develop policies for released-time courses

HB 2157 requires Missouri public school districts to create policies allowing students to be excused during school hours for religious instruction courses provided by independent organizations. The policy must ensure parental written consent is obtained, the sponsoring entity handles transportation and liability, and no school funds (beyond minimal administrative costs) are used. School districts must award academic credit for these courses based on secular criteria like class hours, syllabus, and instructor qualifications - without considering religious content. The excused time counts toward school attendance for state funding purposes, and students are responsible for missed schoolwork. This directly affects students, parents, and school districts by establishing clear rules for religious instruction outside regular school hours.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school districts to create policies enabling religious instruction access during school hours, expanding educational access through secular credit criteria for external courses.95% confidence

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2192: Promotes DEI initiatives in public institutions

HB 2192 protects and promotes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Missouri's public institutions, including schools, universities, and government agencies. The bill explicitly prohibits state laws, policies, or executive orders from defunding, restricting, or penalizing these efforts, covering DEI offices, inclusive curriculum training, and voluntary employee engagement programs. It requires the Missouri Commission on Human Rights to investigate complaints about violations and recommend remedies to restore affected DEI programs. The bill aims to ensure public institutions can maintain these initiatives without state interference.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents defunding of DEI programs, protecting existing state budget allocations for diversity initiatives in public institutions.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects DEI initiatives in schools/universities, prohibits defunding/restrictions of inclusive curriculum and training programs, aligning with enhancing educational access and curriculum.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects DEI initiatives in public workplaces (including employee engagement programs), promoting inclusive employment standards and workers' rights through non-discrimination measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · Missouri · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1876: Requires school districts to provide instruction in cursive writing

HB 1876 requires Missouri public school districts and charter schools to provide cursive writing instruction in elementary schools, ensuring students can produce legible cursive documents by the end of fifth grade. It mandates that each student must pass a teacher-constructed test demonstrating proficiency in both reading and writing cursive. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may create implementing rules, subject to specific procedural requirements under state law. This bill directly affects all Missouri elementary students and school districts through a new curriculum requirement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates cursive writing curriculum in elementary schools, advancing educational standards for student literacy skills per bill's explicit requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2210: Establishes a fund for matching school district expenditures of reserve moneys to increase teacher salaries

HB 2210 creates a state "Matching Grants for Teachers Plan Fund" to help school districts increase teacher salaries using their own reserve funds. School districts can withdraw money from their reserves for salary increases and receive state matching funds equal to that amount, up to $1 million annually per district. To qualify, districts must maintain at least $100,000 in reserves, cannot deplete reserves below state minimums, and must use existing interest earnings from school funds to supplement salary increases (not replace them). The bill ensures unspent fund balances do not revert to general revenue and requires districts to deposit interest into reserves.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state matching funds ($1M/district) for school district teacher salary increases, directly increasing state budget allocation for education spending.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state matching fund for teacher salary increases using district reserves, directly funding educator compensation under education-focused bill.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly funds teacher salary increases via state matching grants, advancing wages for educators within labor & employment framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget School Funding Teachers

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