Education (Curriculum)

The bill's abstract states it "creates and modifies provisions relating to access to pornographic materials" but provides no specific details about its content, mechanisms, or affected parties. Without additional text describing the actual provisions (e.g., age restrictions, online filtering requirements, or enforcement methods), a substantive summary cannot be generated. The current abstract only indicates the bill's general topic area, not its concrete policy changes. Therefore, no meaningful summary of the bill's provisions or impact can be provided based on the available information.

SB 1276 - This act creates new provisions relating to prohibiting discrimination in public entities. Public Schools (Sections 105.1701 and 105.1702) The governing body of a public school, including an elementary school, high school, or charter school, shall ensure that the following information is displayed on the school website in a publicly accessible location: • All training materials, including materials for instructors, concerning or used for staff and faculty training on all matters of nondiscrimination, diversity, equity, inclusion, race, ethnicity, sex, or bias, or any combination of these concepts with other concepts; • All instructional or curricular materials concerning nondiscrimination, diversity, equity, inclusion, race, ethnicity, sex, or bias, or any combination of these concepts with other concepts; and • Any procedures for the documentation, review, or approval of the training, instructional, or curricular materials used for staff and faculty training or student instruction at the school, including by the principal, curriculum administrators, or other teachers. Each state agency and political subdivision shall post on its website in a publicly accessible location all training materials, including materials for instructors, for training provided to employees of the agency or political subdivision on all matters of nondiscrimination, diversity, equity, inclusion, race, ethnicity, sex, or bias, or any combination of these concepts with other concepts, except any materials that the agency or political subdivision is required to keep confidential. A public school, including an elementary school, high school, or charter school, state agency, or political subdivision shall not: • Require or otherwise compel a student, teacher, administrator, or other employee to affirm, adopt, or adhere to any belief or concept that: • One race, sex, ethnicity, religion, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior to another race, sex, ethnicity, religion, or national origin; • An individual, by virtue of his or her race, sex, ethnicity, religion, or national origin should be blamed for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, sex, ethnicity, religion, or national origin; or • An individual's moral character is necessarily determined, in whole or in part, by his or her race, sex, ethnicity, religion, or national origin. • Use public funds to contract with, hire, or otherwise engage consultants, trainers, or other persons to: • Direct or otherwise compel a student, teacher, administrator, or other employee to affirm, adopt, or adhere to any belief or concept prohibited by this act; or • Advocate concepts prohibited by this act, unless it meets certain exceptions as described in the act; or • Require a student, teacher, administrator, or other employee to attend or participate in a training, seminar, continuing education, orientation, or therapy that promotes any concept prohibited by this act. Proxy Discrimination (Sections 160.011, 160.2800, and 174.800) This act establishes provisions relating to proxy discrimination in educational institutions. The act defines "proxy discrimination" as the use of a facially neutral factor in student admissions that correlates with race, sex, color, ethnicity, ancestry, or national origin for the purpose of discriminating against or granting a preference to any individual or group on the basis of such characteristics. Proxy discrimination includes the use of certain factors described in the act, such as zip codes or socioeconomic indicators, which may be used individually or in combination with other factors for the purposes of discriminating against or granting a preference to any individual or group. "Traditional academic success factors" include standardized test results, grades, extracurricular activities, and academic recommendations. Under the act, any public educational institution with a selective admission process, including public schools, charter schools, and state colleges and universities, shall publish a comprehensive list of all factors considered or used in the admission process. The list shall include academic qualifications, extracurricular activities, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and other factors set forth in the act. The list shall be made publicly available on the official website of each educational institution and shall be easily accessible to prospective students, parents, and other interested parties. No educational institution or person making admission decisions for the institution shall discriminate or grant preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin; nor shall any such institution or person engage in proxy discrimination or seek information on students' race, sex, color, ethnicity, ancestry, or national origin during the application process unless expressly required by federal law, as provided in the act. In any civil action challenging any instance of proxy discrimination, the person bringing the action has the burden of establishing a prima facie case of proxy discrimination through evidence that a particular factor or combination of factors other than traditional academic success factors was selected at least in part for the purpose of discriminating against or granting a preference to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, ancestry, or national origin. The defendant has the burden of proving that the selection of the challenged factor or combination thereof was solely for a lawful purpose and not for the purpose of discriminating against or granting a preference to any individual or group. The use of traditional academic success factors by any educational institution or employee presumptively does not constitute proxy discrimination. To challenge the use of traditional academic success factors, the plaintiff has the burden of proving that the factors were manipulated, weighted, or otherwise used with the specific intent of discriminating against or granting a preference to an individual or group in violation of the act. Educational institutions shall have a grace period of nine months after the effective date of the act (or until May 28, 2027), to comply with the requirements relating to disclosure of factors considered in the admission process. Noncompliance with this act may result in penalties, including fines and potential loss of public funding, as provided in the act. Missouri Human Rights Act (Section 213.136) The act prohibits the state, including any political subdivision thereof, or any public university system, community college district, or public school district, from discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, or sex in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting. This act contains a severability clause. SCOTT SVAGERA

HB 3311 establishes standards for Missouri school libraries, requiring districts to adopt policies protecting access to library resources and preventing censorship. It defines key terms like "school librarian" and mandates that libraries promote free expression, support academic standards, and prohibit removal of materials for reasons like political views or author background. The bill creates a specific process for reviewing challenges to library materials, including a committee with diverse members, keeping challenged items available during review, and banning removal for "doctrinal or partisan reasons." It also prohibits retaliation against library staff who follow this review process and prevents repeated challenges to the same material within four years. This law directly affects Missouri public school districts, their library programs, and students' access to information.

SB 1642 establishes a program for nonprofit organizations to operate adult high schools in Missouri, requiring the Department of Social Services to authorize up to five schools in specific geographic locations based on county population criteria. Organizations must meet detailed requirements, including providing industry certification, partnering with postsecondary institutions, and addressing barriers like homelessness or criminal history for disadvantaged adults. The bill sets academic standards for diplomas equivalent to traditional high school diplomas (without distinguishing marks), allows flexible pacing and limited online instruction, and mandates partnerships to support workforce development. While a minor provision requires maintaining complaint records for summer camps and day camps, the bill's primary focus is on creating adult education programs, not camp licensing.

HB 3310 establishes minimum requirements for school district calendars in most areas, mandating at least 169 school days (or 142 days for districts using a four-day week) and restricting start dates to no earlier than 14 days before the first Monday in September. It specifically excludes school districts operating charter schools from these rules, as outlined in the bill’s provisions. Violations could result in the state withholding 25% of a district’s state funding for each day of noncompliance. The bill also allows limited exemptions for unusual circumstances but does not apply to districts with year-round schedules or those operating charter schools.

This bill requires all public high schools to administer career readiness assessments, such as the WorkKeys test (which leads to a nationally recognized career certificate), before students graduate. Students who complete WorkKeys are exempt from taking the ACT assessment. School districts may offer additional free assessments using state funds. It also establishes that WorkKeys certificates can count as credit toward technical college degrees.

HB 3540 creates a voluntary mental wellness program called "Journaling for Joy" for school districts and charter schools. Starting in the 2027-28 school year, it allows schools to implement the program for students in third, sixth, and twelfth grades using approved curriculum that includes journaling workbooks, instructor guides, and structured prompts focused on emotional regulation and conflict resolution - without providing therapy or collecting identifiable mental health data. Schools must train teachers using department-approved materials, and the education department will track participation and non-identifiable outcomes like school climate through annual reports. The program expires on August 28, 2033, and requires annual state funding approval for implementation.

HB 3532 requires Missouri's general assembly to develop and provide public schools with educational resources about the state's legislative process. These resources must explain how Missouri's process is shaped by the U.S. Constitution, Missouri Constitution, and federal/state laws. The bill specifies materials may include real-world experiences, publications, place-based learning accommodations, civic engagement opportunities, and digital tools. The bill is in early stages, having been introduced and read for the second time in March 2026.

HB 3483 requires Missouri's legislature to develop educational materials for public schools about how the state's government works. The bill mandates that these resources explain Missouri's legislative process and how it is shaped by the U.S. Constitution, Missouri's Constitution, and federal/state laws. Materials may include real-world experiences, publications, place-based learning activities, civic engagement opportunities, and digital tools. This bill directly affects Missouri public schools and students by requiring new civic education content focused on government structure and processes. The bill is currently in its early stages, having been introduced on February 26, 2026.

HB 3322 improves educational stability for children in foster care by requiring foster care placements to prioritize the child's school attendance area. It ensures children can remain in their school of origin until placement disputes are resolved, and if a "best interest" decision isn't made within 30 days (60 days in summer), the child's current school district enrollment is automatically considered best - provided the previous school is more than 30 miles away (35 miles for special education). The bill also mandates school districts to accept credits from any school, issue diplomas when graduation requirements are met under juvenile court, and prevent grade reductions for absences tied to foster care changes or court activities.