HCS HB 417 -- CREDENTIALS OF TEACHERS AND STUDENT COURSE WORK
EVALUATIONS

SPONSOR:  Muschany (Cunningham, 86)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Student Achievement by a vote of 6 to 1.

This substitute creates an additional process for teacher
certification in personal finance for applicants with credentials
specified in the substitute.  These teachers must also complete
professional development requirements in proportion to their
hours in the classroom if they are employed less than full time.
School districts are allowed to offer hiring incentives or salary
schedule modifications to attract and retain teachers who have
credentials that correlate with improved student achievement.
The teachers may be required to teach for up to three years in
return for the incentive.

Guidelines are established for the evaluation of a student's
course work and grade level placement upon transfer into a school
district.  A restriction on placing information on high school
diplomas is repealed.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that incentives make it easier to
attract teachers.  Permitting adjunct teachers from the business
community will help high schools provide the personal finance
course now required for graduation.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Cunningham (86);
Missouri School Boards' Association; Cooperating School Districts
of Greater St. Louis; Missouri Council of School
Administrators/School Administrators Coalition; and Missouri
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that two unfunded
teacher loan forgiveness programs are on the books now, which, if
funded, could do more to increase teachers in shortage areas than
incentives would.  It is difficult to permit flexibility for
incentives in a way that won't be subject to abuse.

Testifying against the bill were Missouri National Education
Association; and Missouri State Teachers Association.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:19 am