SPONSOR: Richey
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Emerging Issues by a vote of 12 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Administrative Oversight by a vote of 10 to 0.
This bill establishes the "Show Me Success Diploma Program" as an alternative pathway to graduation for high school students. Students may earn the Show Me Success Diploma beginning at the end of a student's tenth grade year. By July 1, 2022, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop detailed requirements for students to become eligible for the Show Me Success Diploma.
Students who earn a Show Me Success Diploma may elect to remain in high school. Alternatively, a student having earned the diploma may instead enroll in a qualifying postsecondary educational institution. For each student enrolled in such an institution, an amount equal to 90% of the pupil's proportionate share of the state, local, and federal aid that the district or charter school receives for such pupil, shall be deposited into an account that lists the pupil as the beneficiary.
The bill establishes the "Competency-Based Education Task Force" to study and develop competency-based education programs in public schools. The Task Force members will be appointed before October 31, 2021: two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker, two members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tem, four members appointed by the Governor. The Commissioner or his or her designee shall also serve on the Task Force. The members of the Task Force will represent the geographic diversity of the state.
The requirements, duties and obligations of the Task Force are outlined in the bill. A report shall be presented 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 by the first of December annually.
This bill is similar to SB 34 (2021).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill allows students who are high-performing or who may want to move onto technical or other post-secondary education to do so quickly. The bill also benefits the student by allowing him or her to receive a portion of the funds that would have been spent on educating the student. Testifying for the bill were Representative Richey; Excel In Education In Action.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Brittany Whitley, Missouri Science & Technology (Most) Policy Initiative, provided informational testimony in writing.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: