SPONSOR: Richey
This bill establishes the "Competency-Based Education Grant Program", likewise created in the State Treasury is the "Competency-Based Education Grant Program Fund". By application, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall award grants from the Fund to eligible school districts for the purpose of providing Competency-Based Education Programs. DESE shall facilitate the creation, sharing, and development of course assessments, curriculum, training and guidance for teachers, and best practices for the school districts that offer competency-based education courses(Section 161.380, RSMo).
This bill also establishes the "Competency-Based Education Task Force" to study and develop Competency-Based Education Programs in public schools. The Task Force members shall be appointed to two year terms and shall include two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two Senators appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate, the Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and four members appointed by the Governor. Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.
The Task Force shall conduct interviews and at least three public hearings to identify promising Competency-Based Education Programs and obstacles to implementing such programs. Before December 1 of each year, the Task Force shall present its findings and recommendations to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tem of the Senate, the Joint Committee on Education, and the State Board of Education(Section 161.385).
This bill specifies that, school districts and charter schools shall receive state school funding under the foundation formula for high school students who are taking Competency-Based Courses offered by their school district or charter school.
Attendance of a student enrolled in a Competency-Based Course shall equal the product of the district or charter school's prior year average attendance percentage multiplied by the total number of attendance hours normally allocable to a non-competency-based course of equal credit value (Section 162.1255).
This bill is similar to SB 33 (2021) and to SB 582 (2020).
Statutes affected: