Education

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2841: Modifies provisions governing the Missouri assessment program test

HB 2841 revises Missouri's statewide assessment system for public schools to focus on performance-based testing that measures problem-solving, critical thinking, and practical skills - rather than rote memorization - in subjects like reading, math, science, and history. The bill prohibits using existing tests approved under prior law and requires assessments to evaluate what students "know and can do," with scores for English learners not counted until they complete three years of instruction in English-speaking schools. It also creates a "waiver" program for schools meeting high performance standards for three consecutive years, allowing them to bypass certain testing requirements and operational rules under the "Outstanding Schools Waivers" plan. Additionally, the bill mandates alternate assessments for students with special needs to evaluate independent living skills and includes provisions for military-dependent students relocating mid-year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill replaces rote memorization with performance-based testing measuring critical thinking/skills, aligning with educational reform goals to enhance student learning outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 2965: Requires the department of elementary and secondary education to develop a curriculum on Black history and Black literature to be used by school districts

HB 2965 requires Missouri school districts to implement a new graduation requirement starting in the 2027-28 school year. The bill mandates the state education department to develop a curriculum framework for Black history and Black literature courses in grades 9-12, to be adopted by the state board of education by 2027-28. All Missouri high school students must complete one unit of credit each in Black history and Black literature to earn a diploma, with limited waivers for transfer students who completed similar courses elsewhere. This policy directly affects public high school students and school districts across Missouri.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates new graduation requirements for Black history and literature curriculum, expanding educational content and access in K-12 schools. This directly strengthens curriculum standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2773: Requires school districts to provide instruction in cursive writing

HB 2773 requires all public elementary schools in the state to teach cursive writing, ensuring students can produce legible cursive handwriting by the end of fifth grade. Students must pass a teacher-created test demonstrating proficiency in both reading and writing cursive. The law directly affects elementary students and school districts, mandating this instruction as part of their curriculum. It does not specify teaching methods but sets a clear proficiency standard for fifth-grade students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates cursive writing curriculum standard, advancing K-12 educational requirements and student skill development per bill's explicit mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3091: Removes obsolete administrative entities in various state departments

HB 3091 creates a "Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program" through scholarships for students in environmental fields. It establishes a "Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Fund" to provide financial support to minority and underrepresented students (prioritizing groups identified by the National Academy of Sciences) pursuing degrees in environmental engineering, environmental sciences, environmental chemistry, or environmental law enforcement. The program is administered by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development with funds from general revenue, federal sources, or private donations. The bill also creates an advisory committee to oversee scholarship selections and requires annual reporting on administrative entities (though this appears disconnected from the scholarship provisions in the provided text).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new scholarship fund requiring state budget allocation for minority student programs, directly funding a new initiative.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates scholarship programs for minority students in environmental fields, directly funding higher education access and support for underrepresented groups.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates scholarship fund for environmental education, promoting workforce development in environmental fields per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Student Financial Aid

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passed · Missouri · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 2748: Modifies requirements for physical education in schools

HB 2748 requires all elementary school students (including those in alternative programs and with disabilities, as appropriate under disability laws) to participate in at least 60 minutes daily of supervised moderate physical activity starting in the 2026-27 school year. It also mandates a minimum 20-minute daily recess in elementary schools and allows middle school students to meet activity requirements through 225 minutes weekly of physical activity. The bill establishes a state recognition program for schools showing fitness improvements and permits districts to meet requirements through recess, physical education, or approved activities. These changes directly affect public school districts, students, and physical education staff across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates increased physical activity and recess requirements for K-12 students, enhancing student health and wellness as part of educational programming, directly advancing school-based health initiatives within education policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 1600: Requires school districts to screen all students at least once before third grade for the purpose of identifying gifted students

SB 1600 requires Missouri school districts to screen all students at least once before third grade to identify gifted students. The bill mandates universal screening using multiple measures - including academic achievement, creativity, and teacher referrals - and requires review by at least three trained staff members. It also prohibits identifying gifted students solely based on advanced course participation and sets standards for teacher certification in gifted education for larger districts. The policy directly affects all K-2 students and school districts statewide, with screening requirements taking effect for the 2027-28 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates universal gifted student screening before third grade using multiple measures, expanding access to advanced programs for all students and preventing exclusion based on advanced course participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Missouri · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 3037: Modifies provisions of the "Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program" tax credit

HB 3037 modifies Missouri's tax credit program for donations to scholarship organizations, allowing taxpayers to claim a 100% credit for contributions (up to 50% of their state tax liability) toward scholarships. The bill sets a $75 million annual cap on total credits, adjusted yearly based on state education funding changes, with unused credits carryable forward for up to four years. Donors cannot designate which student receives a scholarship, and the program activates only when transportation funding meets specific thresholds tied to 2021 levels. This affects taxpayers donating to educational assistance organizations seeking to fund student scholarships through state tax incentives.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit program, reducing state revenue by allowing 100% credit for donations, directly decreasing tax collections under taxation policy.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credits for scholarship donations, expanding K-12 educational access via private school funding mechanisms with $75M annual cap.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2866: Creates, repeals, and modifies provisions governing elementary and secondary education

HB 2866 establishes Missouri's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, which provides tax credits to Missouri taxpayers who donate to qualifying charitable organizations that fund education scholarships. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 100% of their contribution (capped at 50% of their state tax liability), with a total annual spending limit of $150 million adjusted yearly based on school funding. The program directs scholarship funds to eligible students through educational assistance organizations, limiting certified organizations to 15 per year and allocating tax credits on a first-come, first-served basis. It directly affects taxpayers making donations, charitable organizations administering scholarships, and families seeking education options beyond traditional public schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 100% tax credits for education donations (capped at 50% of tax liability), directly offering tax relief to donors per bill's tax credit mechanism.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates scholarship program expanding educational access through tax-credit funded accounts for eligible students, directly advancing educational choice and funding options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2772: Establishes the "Youth Workforce Development Program"

HB 2772 establishes the "Youth Workforce Development Program" to provide job training, certifications, and life skills to at-risk youth aged 12-21 in counties with over 1 million residents or cities outside counties. The program, administered by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, offers vocational training, high school diplomas, internships with local businesses, and mental health support - specifically requiring juvenile detention facilities to provide these services to youth held there. A dedicated state fund finances the program, covering costs like transportation, childcare, mental health services, and internship stipends, with annual reports tracking participant employment rates and recidivism. The program targets youth involved in juvenile justice, those with school suspensions, homelessness, or other risk factors, aiming to improve workforce readiness and reduce future system involvement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides vocational training, diplomas, and mental health support for at-risk youth through education department, expanding access to educational opportunities and workforce development programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health support in juvenile detention facilities as part of workforce program, directly advancing mental health services within healthcare framework.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides job training, certifications, and internships for at-risk youth to enhance workforce readiness and employment opportunities, directly advancing labor & employment standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Early Childhood K-12 Education Mental Health Child Labor Workforce Development

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vetoed · Missouri · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 2002: Appropriates money for the expenses, grants, refunds, and distributions of the State Board of Education and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

HB 2002 is Missouri's 2026-2027 state budget for public education, allocating over $4.28 billion to fund public school operations through the School Foundation Program. It directly affects all Missouri public school districts, child care facilities providing pre-K programs, and the State Board of Education, with specific funding for classroom instruction, transportation, small schools, and voluntary open enrollment. Key provisions include $7.5 million for open enrollment programs (requiring receiving districts to receive state adequacy payments), $16.2 million for pre-K grants prioritizing low-income children, and strict rules prohibiting use of student data for marketing. The bill transfers funds from multiple state accounts, including General Revenue, Lottery Proceeds, and Sports Wagering for Education, to support these education programs during the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $4.28B for public education funding, directly advancing state budget allocation for essential services like classroom instruction and transportation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $4.28B for public school operations including classroom instruction, transportation, and $7.5M for open enrollment programs, directly funding education services.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly allocates funds for transportation within public education budget, supporting school transportation services as a specific funding category.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue State Budget Early Childhood School Choice School Funding

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