HB 1040 -- Education Accountability

Sponsor:  Cunningham (86)

ASSESSMENTS AND ACCREDITATION

This bill permits districts to incorporate a student's
performance on the statewide assessments into the grade point
average or class standing of a student or, when a student scores
less than proficient, permits a district to require additional
coursework before graduation.  By January 1, 2006, the Department
of Elementary and Secondary Education will align assessment
standards to levels comparable with those used in the National
Assessment of Educational Progress, and by July 1, 2006, will
revise its accreditation standards to permit process and resource
standard waivers consistent with academic performance profiles.
The accreditation scoring rubric must not require points for the
Parents as Teachers Program and must reward districts that use
instructional technology to accomplish their advanced placement
goals.

STUDENTS

The bill permits parents and guardians of students to opt into a
higher compulsory school age of 18.  The bill also adds religious
exemptions to compulsory school attendance and clarifies that
students who successfully complete all grade levels or complete
school by examination are not subject to compulsory attendance.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

The bill clarifies that the nepotism provisions of the Missouri
Constitution apply to school districts.  Districts may count as
reimbursable miles any mileage less than one mile from school
when a student faces a transportation safety hazard such as a
major highway.  Districts that run their own bus operations may
use their buses for non-school transportation options under
certain conditions.  Districts serving the same students, such as
K-8 districts and the districts that provide high school to these
districts, must make a good faith effort to coordinate their
schedules.

OTHER PROVISIONS

The department must seek feedback on its rules and regulations
and give priority to the review of existing regulations that
could be relaxed in hard economic times without affecting student
achievement.  The Division of Family Services cannot meet with a
child in the same school or child care facility where abuse is
alleged to have occurred.  Currently, the division cannot meet
with a child at any school or child care facility.

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:14 am