Education

in committee · Missouri · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2878: Modifies provisions governing the school calendar

HB 2878 sets minimum requirements for school calendars in Missouri public school districts. It mandates a minimum of 169 school days (or 142 days for four-day-week districts) and 1,044 hours of student attendance annually, plus 36 make-up hours for weather-related closures. The bill prohibits districts from opening before 21 calendar days prior to the first Monday in September, with limited exceptions requiring public notice and board approval for earlier dates. Violations result in the state withholding 25% of a district’s annual state funding for each day of non-compliance. The law does not apply to year-round schools or districts with state board-approved exemptions for unusual circumstances.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates minimum instructional days/hours (169 days, 1,044 hours) to ensure consistent educational time and prevent shortened calendars, strengthening curriculum delivery standards.85% confidence

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2933: Modifies and establishes provisions relating to the operation of school districts

HB 2933 allows school districts to vote on withdrawing from a special school district that provides specialized education services. If approved by voters, the school district can replace the special district’s tax levy with its own local tax (capped at the district’s proportional share) to fund special, vocational, and technical education programs within its boundaries. The district must continue providing these services after withdrawal, return special district assets, and assume proportional debt, with the change taking effect July 1 of the following school year. This process requires a school board resolution, county election authority involvement, and a 12-month waiting period if withdrawal is rejected.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures continuation of specialized education services through local funding mechanism while requiring service provision and asset return.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · Missouri · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 2776: Establishes provisions relating to the granting of certain teaching certificates

HB 2776 creates a new pathway for teachers holding temporary teaching certificates in Missouri to earn full certification. It requires completing an approved 18-hour online training program (developed by the state or eligible charitable organizations) and either passing a teaching exam or meeting specific evaluation criteria through school district assessments. This change directly affects current temporary certificate holders seeking to teach in Missouri public schools, streamlining their transition to full certification without requiring additional degree programs. The bill also updates existing certification rules but focuses on simplifying the process for temporary certificate holders to qualify for permanent teaching roles.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates streamlined path for temporary teachers to gain full certification, supporting educator career advancement and school staffing needs95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3079: Allows speech-language pathologists employed by a public school to qualify for benefits under the Public Schools Retirement System of Missouri

HB 3079 allows speech-language pathologists working in Missouri public schools or charter schools to qualify for retirement benefits under the Public Schools Retirement System. The bill requires the state education department to recognize these professionals as equivalent to certified teachers for employment, benefits, and retirement eligibility, provided they hold a valid state license. It ensures they receive the same retirement contributions, service credit, and benefits as teachers. The bill takes effect July 1, 2027, and directly affects licensed speech-language pathologists in Missouri public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends retirement benefits to school-based speech-language pathologists, equating them with teachers for benefits, supporting educator welfare and retention.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands retirement benefits for school professionals, treating them equivalently to teachers, strengthening employment standards and benefits.90% confidence

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introduced · Missouri · House Nov 25, 2025

HB 2: Appropriates money for the expenses, grants, refunds, and distributions of the State Board of Education and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

HB 2 allocates $6.74 billion in state and federal funds for Missouri's public education system during fiscal year 2026. It directly funds the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, including programs like the School Foundation Program (which supports public schools), Summer EBT benefits, and administrative operations. The bill specifies exact funding sources (e.g., General Revenue, Lottery Proceeds, and State School Moneys Funds) and prohibits using funds for sharing student data for non-educational purposes. This appropriation ensures constitutional compliance while covering expenses, grants, refunds, and distributions for K-12 education across the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $6.74B for public education funding, directly advancing state budget priorities for essential services without defunding or tax increases.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationHB 2 allocates $6.74 billion for Missouri's public education system, directly funding schools, programs like School Foundation Program, and Summer EBT benefits without restrictions on core educational services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue State Budget K-12 Education School Funding

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signed · Missouri · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2014: Appropriates money for supplemental purposes

HB 2014 is a fiscal appropriations bill that allocates state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It directs $20 million to the Special Education Program, $35.1 million to Early Childhood Special Education, $10.4 million for school safety and career readiness initiatives, and $7.1 million for highway maintenance under the Department of Transportation. The bill specifies exact funding sources (like General Revenue Fund and Federal Funds) for each program but does not create new policies or change existing laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $20M+ to education, safety, and infrastructure programs without defunding, aligning with funding essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $20M special education, $35.1M early childhood special education, and $10.4M for school safety/career readiness initiatives, directly funding educational programs without restrictions.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $7.1M specifically for highway maintenance under DOT, directly funding transportation infrastructure as a core component of the bill's appropriations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue State Budget School Safety Special Education Roads & Highways

introduced · Missouri · House Nov 25, 2025

HB 17: Appropriates money for capital improvement

HB 17 appropriates $12.9 million in state funds for capital improvement projects across Missouri's education system for fiscal year 2025-2026. It directly affects specific schools and programs, including facility upgrades at Special Acres School for the Severely Disabled ($1.59M), Autumn Hill State School ($2.09M), career technical schools in cities of 36,500-40,000 population ($220K), and a disability learning center ($2.10M), among others. The funding comes from General Revenue and Budget Stabilization Funds and is designated as one-time spending, meaning it does not increase future annual budgets. All projects reference previously authorized funding from earlier legislative sessions (e.g., HB 2017, HB 2).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $12.9M for education capital projects, directly increasing state funding for public infrastructure under budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $12.9M for school facility upgrades including special education and career technical schools, directly funding infrastructure improvements in education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2930: Requires students to provide proof of income when renewing an empowerment scholarship account

HB 2930 requires students renewing Missouri's empowerment scholarship to provide proof of household income, demonstrating that their annual income does not exceed 300% of the income standard for free and reduced-price lunch programs. This requirement applies to all renewal applications and determines eligibility for the next school year; exceeding this threshold makes a student ineligible. The bill does not alter the existing list of allowable expenses, which include tuition, textbooks, educational therapies, and approved technology at qualifying schools. It directly affects families seeking to continue using the scholarship for their children's education.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts scholarship access by income cap, limiting eligibility for educational funding without expanding access or support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2680: Requires career and technical education programs to offer courses leading to insurance licensing and certification

HB 2680 requires Missouri high school career and technical education (CTE) programs to offer courses leading to insurance licensing and certification. The bill mandates that the state education department develop a model curriculum framework for insurance certification, to be available for use starting in the 2027-28 school year. By the 2028-29 school year, all CTE programs must adopt this framework or a substantially similar one. This policy directly affects Missouri high school students enrolled in CTE programs, providing a structured pathway to obtain insurance industry credentials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates CTE curriculum expansion for insurance certification, enhancing career pathways and workforce readiness in education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2911: Modifies provisions of the Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act

HB 2911 modifies Missouri's Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act to create a tuition award program for eligible public safety workers. It provides up to 100% of resident tuition for associate or bachelor's degrees in approved fields (e.g., criminal justice for police, fire science for firefighters) to personnel with at least six years of service who hold current licenses/certificates and meet admission requirements. Dependents of personnel with ten years of service qualify for similar awards. Applicants must first apply for all other federal and state financial aid before accessing this tuition award.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides tuition support for law enforcement education to improve recruitment/retention, strengthening workforce quality in criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition funding for public safety workers' higher education in approved fields, directly supporting workforce development through education access and financial assistance.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tuition benefits for public safety workers' education, supporting workforce development and retention under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Higher Education Student Financial Aid Tags Public Safety

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