Education (Curriculum)

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 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 Apr 29, 2026

HB 2115: Requires school districts to provide instruction in cursive writing

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates cursive writing curriculum standard with fifth-grade proficiency requirement, directly enhancing K-12 curriculum requirements per bill's academic benchmark.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1704: Creates the Education Freedom Act and modifies provisions relating to the assessment of public elementary and secondary schools

HB 1704, the Education Freedom Act, changes how public schools in Missouri are assessed by requiring a statewide system focused on practical skills like problem-solving and creativity (not rote memorization). It mandates that school districts create their own local assessment systems tied to their curriculum, developed with community input, and used for meaningful academic feedback. The bill also allows schools meeting high performance standards for three years to receive "Outstanding Schools Waivers," exempting them from certain state testing and classification rules. Test results from the statewide system may only be used for federal compliance and school performance ratings, not for classifying school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationShifts assessments to practical skills/creativity, mandates local curriculum control with community input, and incentivizes high performance - enhancing educational quality without restrictions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

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passed · Missouri · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1383: Authorizes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish an agricultural education program for elementary schools

SB 1383 requires all elementary schools in the state to implement an agricultural education program that was previously tested as a pilot. This bill directly affects every public elementary school and its students by mandating the inclusion of agricultural education in their curriculum. The key provision is the statewide expansion of the pilot program, moving it from a limited trial to a required statewide standard. The bill does not specify curriculum details or funding mechanisms, only the requirement for implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates agricultural education in all elementary schools, expanding a pilot program to all schools and enhancing curriculum offerings for students95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers Tags Agriculture

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 1045: Requires certain topics in Native American and African American history to be included in the seventh through twelfth grade history curriculum in public schools

SB 1045 - Under this act, the State Board of Education shall require that the history curriculum taught in the 7th through 12th grades include certain topics relating to Native American and African American history, as described in the act. This act is similar to SB 209 (2025), SB 1103 (2024), HB 1645 (2024), SB 273 (2023), HB 66 (2023), SB 950 (2022), and HB 1776 (2022). OLIVIA SHANNON

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of specific historical topics in curriculum, enhancing educational content and historical representation in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SJR 69: Amends the Constitution to assert the right of parents to participate in and direct the education of their children free from government interference

SJR 69 proposes amending the state constitution to explicitly guarantee parents the right to participate in and direct their children's education without government interference. This constitutional change would directly affect parents and students in public schools by establishing a fundamental right to educational decisions. The key mechanism is adding this parental right to the state constitution, requiring voter approval after legislative passage. It does not create new school policies but would alter the constitutional framework governing education. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 3 sentences as requested.)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly protects parental rights in education decision-making, aligning with 'protect' indicator under support for educational access and family involvement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2199: Establishes the Missouri music professional development pilot program

HB 2199 establishes a three-year pilot program to provide professional development workshops for Missouri music educators. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the program will fund five annual workshops at regional centers, covering topics like arts integration and curriculum development. It includes dedicated funding for substitute teachers, mileage reimbursement (up to $0.38/mile), and presenter honorariums (up to $500), with the program ending in 2029. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must evaluate the pilot and report results to the legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds music educator professional development workshops, substitute coverage, and curriculum training via dedicated budget, directly supporting teacher development and arts integration in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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