SB 1384 - Under this act, charter schools and private schools that participate in the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program (defined as "private schools") shall be subject to the same procurement processes, wage standards, and contractual obligations as school districts. (Sections 160.405 and 166.706)

No more than 10%, rather than 20%, of the full-time instructional staff of a charter school may be uncertified to teach in the public schools of this state. School districts are authorized to employ uncertified instructional personnel, as long as no more than 10% of a school district's full-time teaching positions are filled by uncertified personnel and certain other conditions are satisfied. Private schools shall employ only certified instructional staff, except that up to 10% of a private school's full-time teaching positions may be filled by uncertified personnel. (Sections 160.420, 166.706, and 168.011)

Charter schools and private schools, in addition to school districts, shall be eligible for Innovation Waivers exempting them from certain requirements relating to assessments and accreditation. All school districts and charter schools shall be held to the same reporting standards on their Annual Performance Reports. (Sections 160.518, 160.522, and 166.706)

The State Board of Education shall classify and accredit charter schools and private schools in the same manner that school districts are classified and accredited. All public schools, private schools, and charter schools shall be classified using the same assessment systems and accountability measures. (Sections 161.092 and 166.706)

The governing body of a school district, private school, or charter school shall comply with all Missouri Sunshine Law requirements for public meetings, including providing advance public notice, and shall additionally provide online public access to all meeting minutes. (Sections 162.012 and 166.706)

School districts, private schools, and charter schools shall display annual financial reports on their websites, including information about revenues, expenses, contributions, contracts, and personnel salary schedules. (Sections 162.015 and 166.706)

Any charter school that accepts transferring students under any open enrollment program enacted by the General Assembly, as well as any private school, shall set its opening date each school year no earlier than 14 calendar days prior to the first Monday in September. (Sections 171.031 and 166.706)

OLIVIA SHANNON