SB 978 requires all public school districts and charter schools to provide instruction on human growth and development to students. This mandate directly affects K-12 schools and their curricula, though the bill does not specify exact content or grade levels. The bill's key provision is a new requirement for schools to incorporate this topic into their instructional programs. As of now, the bill is pending review by the Senate Education Committee after being prefaced and read for the first time in early 2026.
HB 2129 modifies Missouri's requirements for charter school applications and operations. It mandates that new charter schools submit detailed applications covering 17 specific areas, including mission statements, financial plans, academic standards, student discipline policies, and closure procedures. The bill also requires charter sponsors to prioritize applications for schools serving high-risk students (like dropouts) and ensures at least one-third of new charters must focus on these students. This directly affects charter school applicants, sponsors (such as school boards), and the state board of education, which oversees approvals.
HB 2581 mandates specific content for human sexuality education in public schools, directly affecting K-12 students and school districts. The bill requires medically accurate instruction covering abstinence as the preferred choice, STI prevention (including HIV/AIDS and HPV), contraception effectiveness, emotional consequences of teen sex, conflict management skills, legal responsibilities (like statutory rape), online safety, and sexual harassment/violence definitions. Crucially, it mandates for the 2026-27 school year and beyond the use of two specific videos: a high-definition fetal development ultrasound and the "Meet Baby Olivia" video showing human gestation. School boards must provide parental notification about curriculum content and allow opt-outs, while prohibiting abortion-related materials in instruction.
This bill, SB 1238, would require public schools to include instruction on "the positive impacts of religion on American history" in their curriculum. The abstract does not specify which grade levels, subjects, or exact content would be mandated. As a procedural bill with no additional details provided in the abstract or recent actions, it describes a policy change in instruction but lacks concrete mechanisms or affected parties. No specific provisions, timelines, or implementation details are outlined in the available information.
SB 967 proposes creating the Black History Education and Awareness Act and designating the first week in February as Black History Week. The bill would require public schools to incorporate Black history into their curriculum during this designated week and support related educational activities. It directly affects public school districts and educators by mandating specific curriculum content during February. The legislation aims to strengthen educational focus on Black history through structured, state-supported programming. (Note: This bill is currently in committee review and has not yet become law.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
HB 2115 requires all elementary schools in the district to teach cursive writing, ensuring students can produce legible cursive documents by the end of fifth grade. It mandates that each student pass a teacher-created test demonstrating proficiency in both reading and writing cursive. The bill directly affects elementary students and schools, setting a specific academic benchmark for cursive skills. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may create rules to implement these requirements, subject to standard regulatory processes.
