Education (K-12 Education)

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2932: Modifies provisions relating to the treatment of religion by public institutions

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrioritizes school of origin for foster care children, prevents grade penalties for related absences, and ensures credit acceptance - directly advancing educational stability and access for vulnerable students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3123: Modifies provisions relating to age for school entry

HB 3123 lowers the minimum age for school entry in Missouri from 7 to 5 years old. It requires parents or guardians to enroll children aged 5 and older in school and ensure regular attendance, with exceptions for children with documented disabilities, those aged 14+ with legal employment, or children with mental health needs supported by professional documentation. Parents may also withdraw children aged 5-7 from school by submitting a written request. The bill clarifies that private, home, and religious schools are not required to follow state-mandated curricula.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school enrollment at age 5, expanding early education access for K-12 system with limited exceptions, aligning with educational policy goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2929: Establishes provisions when a district that is not maintaining a high school through twelfth grade shall be provided the rate of tuition for the next school year

HB 2929 establishes how districts without high schools (through 12th grade) pay tuition to districts that provide high school education. It requires sending districts to pay the receiving district's actual per-pupil cost of maintaining high school programs - calculated by dividing the district's costs (teachers' wages, maintenance, debt service, etc.) by average daily attendance - without exceeding those specific expenses. The tuition rate must be finalized and provided to the sending district by March 1st each year for the following school year, with disputes resolved by the state board of education. This directly affects students in districts without high schools and the districts that serve them.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates sending districts pay actual per-pupil cost for high school tuition, ensuring receiving districts are fully compensated for educational costs. This strengthens funding stability for high school programs and supports educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Funding

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in committee · Missouri · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 2978: Limits the use of technology for student learning practices in elementary schools

HB 2978 limits technology use in Missouri elementary schools (K-5) by capping digital instruction at 45 minutes daily, requiring 70% of assignments to use paper/pencil, and mandating daily access to printed books. The bill prohibits replacing handwriting, cursive instruction (starting in grade 2), or physical manipulatives in core subjects with digital tools, and bans required technology homework or student device carry. Schools must adopt written policies on screen time, report annual compliance, and publish cursive instruction plans, with requirements effective for the 2027-28 school year. It directly affects K-5 students, teachers, and school districts.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts technology use in K-5 classrooms by mandating paper-based assignments, banning digital replacements for handwriting/cursive, and limiting screen time - directly limiting educational technology practices.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts digital instruction time, mandates paper-based assignments, and bans replacing handwriting/cursive with tech tools, directly limiting tech use in K-5 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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passed · Missouri · House May 7, 2026

HB 2872: Creates, repeals, and modifies provisions relating to literacy of elementary school students

HB 2872 requires Missouri teacher preparation programs to train future educators in evidence-based reading instruction methods, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and vocabulary. It prohibits the use of the "three-cueing system" in coursework and mandates that programs align with specific literacy components. The bill establishes a new Missouri Advisory Board for Educator Preparation (MABEP) to advise on teacher training and creates an Office of Literacy within the state education department. It also funds school districts through a new "Evidence-based Reading Instruction Program Fund" for tutoring, teacher training, and evidence-based reading materials, with compliance reviews starting in 2027. This directly affects teacher training institutions, new educators, and public school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based literacy training for teachers, prohibits outdated methods, establishes oversight to improve K-12 reading instruction standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3025: Requires school districts to provide "period products" at no cost in charter schools and public middle and high schools

HB 3025 requires public school districts and qualifying charter schools (those serving 40%+ students from households earning ≤185% of federal poverty guidelines) to provide free tampons and sanitary napkins ("period products") in all restrooms of middle and high schools (grades 6-12) starting July 1, 2027. The state will cover all costs using dedicated funding for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This directly affects schools meeting the income threshold, ensuring no-cost access to period products for students. The bill mandates physical availability in school restrooms without requiring student requests or fees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState covers all costs via dedicated funding for Department of Education, explicitly allocating budget resources to fund this public service requirement.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates free period products in schools with state-funded provision, enhancing student access and health needs in educational settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides free period products in schools as a public health measure to improve access to essential health supplies, directly supporting healthcare access for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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passed · Missouri · House May 7, 2026

HB 2710: Modifies provisions governing accountability measures for elementary and secondary schools

HB 2710 requires all Missouri public schools and districts to publish standardized annual report cards showing student performance, finances, and staff data in an accessible format. It establishes a new A-F rating system based on student achievement (40% for elementary/middle schools, 25% for high schools), academic growth metrics (30% for elementary/middle, 25% for high schools), and high school "Success Ready Graduate" measures (15% for high schools). Top-performing schools in the top 5% for achievement or growth will receive $100 per student in performance-based funding starting in 2026-27, while those in the top 10% but not top 5% get $50 per student. The bill directly affects every public school, district, and charter school by linking their ratings and funding eligibility to specific student outcome metrics.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates standardized school report cards and A-F ratings based on student performance metrics, enhancing transparency and accountability in K-12 education.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2949: Establishes the "Sudden Cardiac Arrest Screening Act"

HB 2949, the "Sudden Cardiac Arrest Screening Act," requires Missouri K-12 schools to implement cardiac screening for student athletes starting in the 2027-28 school year. It mandates annual educational materials about sudden cardiac arrest risks for athletes, parents, and coaches; requires signed acknowledgment forms before participation; and mandates cardiovascular prescreening during physical exams using evidence-based guidelines (including personal/family history and physical checks). Coaches must complete annual cardiac training, and schools must track referrals to cardiologists and report annual screening data to the state health department. The law directly affects all student athletes in public and private K-12 schools, their parents, school staff, and medical professionals conducting physicals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates cardiac screenings and education for K-12 athletes, enhancing school safety protocols under education policy90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates cardiac screenings and education for student athletes, enhancing preventive healthcare in schools to reduce sudden cardiac arrest risks per evidence-based guidelines.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Missouri · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2867: Requires the department of elementary and secondary education to develop a curriculum on personal finance to be used by school districts

HB 2867 requires Missouri public school districts to implement a mandatory personal finance course for students, effective with the 2027-28 school year. The course, worth one-half credit, must cover practical topics like budgeting, credit management, saving, banking, taxes, and understanding major purchases such as housing. It directs the state education department to develop curriculum standards by convening a work group including educators, industry representatives, and nonprofit experts. All students must complete this course after grade nine to earn a high school diploma, with limited waiver options for transfer students or career-focused plans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates teaching tax concepts in schools to promote fiscal responsibility, aligning with support indicators for financial literacy education.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates new mandatory personal finance curriculum in K-12 schools, enhancing student financial literacy programs per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 23, 2026

HCR 31: Establishes a Seal of Civic Recognition for certain graduating high school seniors

HCR 31 establishes the "State of Missouri Seal of Civic Recognition" for high school seniors who meet specific civic engagement criteria. To qualify, students must complete 2-6 years of designated civic education coursework, participate in community service and school governance, join a civic club, and commit to one year of post-graduation civic or military service. The seal is awarded in Bronze (2+ years), Silver (4+ years), or Gold (6+ years) tiers and will accompany the student's diploma. The resolution encourages schools, organizations, and businesses to support recipients with scholarships, internships, or mentorship opportunities. This resolution applies to all Missouri high school graduates in public, private, parochial, or homeschool settings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates civic recognition program requiring civic education coursework and service, enhancing student engagement in K-12 education90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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