Education

in committee · Missouri · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1729: Establishes provisions relating to college and career readiness assessments

SB 1729 requires Missouri high schools to administer college and career readiness assessments, including a career-focused test leading to a nationally recognized work readiness certificate, before graduation. Students can choose between taking the ACT assessment or a WorkKeys test (which leads to a National Career Readiness Certificate), but cannot take both for the same assessment cycle. Public colleges and universities may accept WorkKeys credentials as credit toward technical degrees. The bill affects all Missouri public high school students and establishes a choice between two assessment pathways for career readiness.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates career readiness assessments with college credit options, expanding student pathways to higher education and careers without restricting curriculum or funding.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Missouri · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1751: To appropriate money for the expenses, grants, refunds, and distributions of the State Board of Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the several divisions and programs thereof

SB 1751 - Elementary and Secondary Education . Governor Senate GR $ 4,849,076,843 $ 5,064,544,779 FEDERAL 1,498,102,242 1,498,102,242 OTHER 2,210,368,475 2,210,368,475 . ______________ ______________ TOTAL $ 8,557,547,560 $ 8,773,015,496 . House Final GR FEDERAL OTHER . ______________ ______________ TOTAL ADAM KOENIGSFELD

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for education departments' expenses and programs, directly advancing public education funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for State Board of Education and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, directly advancing school funding as per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget School Funding

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 3174: Establishes provisions relating to emergency responses in schools

HB 3174 requires all public school districts and charter schools to implement a wearable panic alert system for emergency responses. The bill mandates that schools provide each employee with a wearable device to instantly contact emergency services, trigger real-time location tracking (room/floor level), and activate automated visual, audio, and digital alerts throughout the school. Schools must also create detailed digital emergency response maps showing building layouts, emergency equipment locations, and asset tags for devices, sharing these maps with law enforcement at no cost. A dedicated "Panic Alert System Fund" will manage implementation costs, with schools required to train staff annually before each school year begins.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates emergency safety systems in schools, enhancing physical protection for students/staff within educational environments, aligning with education safety protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3235: Modifies and repeals provisions relating to duties of the joint committee on education

HB 3235 modifies Missouri's education funding structure by replacing prior committee duties with a new scholarship program for public school students. It establishes eligibility criteria prioritizing students with disabilities (via IEPs), those qualifying for free/reduced lunch, military dependents, and others, with specific distribution order rules. Organizations administering scholarships must spend at least 90% of contributions on student accounts, limit administrative costs, and provide annual reports on test scores, graduation rates, and parent satisfaction. The bill also requires participating students to take state assessments and mandates transparency for state agencies tracking program outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates scholarship program prioritizing students with disabilities, free/reduced lunch, and military dependents, directing funds to support educational access and targeted student needs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 1660: Prohibits public institutions of higher education from accepting standardized test scores from entities that require applicants with lifelong or static disabilities to undergo evaluations within the prior two years to receive federally protected accommodations

SB 1660 - Beginning in the 2027-28 academic year, this act prohibits public institutions of higher education from accepting standardized test scores from testing entities that require an applicant with a lifelong disability or static disability, as such terms are defined in the act, to complete a comprehensive disability evaluation within two years before taking the test in order to receive accommodations allowed under federal law. This act is identical to HB 1640 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves barrier requiring frequent disability evaluations for standardized test accommodations, expanding access to higher education for students with lifelong/static disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3488: Establishes provisions relating to students at risk of suicide or self-harm

HB 3488 requires public and charter schools serving grades 7-12 to develop suicide and self-harm prevention policies by 2027, including strategies to identify at-risk students and protocols for responding to crises. Starting July 1, 2025, schools must print the national suicide lifeline number (988) and local police nonemergency numbers on student ID cards, with optional inclusion of text line codes (741741) or local hotlines. By 2027, schools must establish mandatory reporting procedures for staff to alert designated personnel about students at risk of suicide or self-harm, requiring immediate parental notification and risk assessments before releasing students. The bill also mandates the education department to create and periodically update a model prevention policy by 2021, incorporating school feedback.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school mental health policies and crisis protocols, protecting student well-being as part of educational safety standards per education-focused subjects.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school suicide prevention policies, requires lifeline numbers (988) on IDs, and establishes mental health protocols - directly advancing mental health services in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3310: Modifies the required school year start date for school districts in which a charter school operates

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates minimum school days and start dates for most districts, ensuring consistent academic calendars and preventing early starts that could disrupt education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Choice

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signed · Missouri · House Jul 13, 2026

HB 3279: Modifies provisions relating to the Missouri community service commission

HB 3279 establishes the "Missouri Community Service Act" and creates a new Missouri Community Service Commission. The commission directly affects state agencies, community organizations, and Missourians - especially youth - by coordinating community service programs addressing education, public safety, human needs, and the environment. Key mechanisms include requiring the commission to develop an annual service plan, oversee federal grant applications, manage a dedicated state fund (with no biennial sunset), and mandate diverse membership (including a youth representative and nonpartisan appointments). The bill shifts oversight from prior sections to this new structure, focusing on expanding service opportunities through state-local collaboration.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates Missouri Community Service Commission to coordinate programs addressing education, explicitly listing it as a key subject area for commission oversight and service planning.85% confidence

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 3489: Establishes provisions relating to college and career readiness assessments

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses state funds for mandatory assessments and credits, directly funding education programs per bill language.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates career assessments, exempts ACT, uses state funds for programs, and links certificates to college credits - advancing educational pathways and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 3416: Establishes the "Strengthening HBCUs Act"

HB 3416 creates a dedicated "Strengthening HBCUs Fund" in Missouri's state treasury, funded by redirecting 1% of excursion gambling boat proceeds and 1% of net lottery proceeds - previously allocated to other education funds - to support historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in Missouri. The fund provides state funding for two specific purposes: capital projects eligible under the federal HBCU Capital Financing Program or activities covered by the federal Strengthening HBCUs Program. Missouri HBCUs meeting federal eligibility criteria (as defined in the bill) may use these funds on an equal basis, with the requirement that they supplement - not replace - existing state appropriations. The fund is designated to remain available year-to-year without reverting to general revenue, and interest earned on investments is credited back to the fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing gambling/lottery revenue to fund HBCU capital projects, increasing targeted education funding without new taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates dedicated state fund for HBCUs using redirected gambling/lottery funds, directly increasing funding for higher education institutions per bill's purpose and subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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