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Education and child care legislation on the move
Week 6 is in the books and it was a doozy. Tuesday the General Assembly received a joint address from the Israeli Consul General, Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, who called for continued support of the Israeli state by Missourians while highlighting similarities in the economies, values, and history of Israel and Missouri.
On Wednesday the General Assembly received the annual State of the Judiciary Address by Chief Justice Mary Russell, who highlighted the expungement of marijuana-related offenses and asked legislators to increase pay for jurors.
On another note, we all want another Chiefs win this weekend, but The Hill takes a look at what all those private jets mean for emissions.
The State Board of Education also met with week where they received a presentation on the effects of the four-day school week. Short answer - they are neither helping or hurting student achievement.
House Floor Activity
Childcare Tax Credit
As referenced above, the House dedicated floor time Tuesday to debating HB 1488, sponsored by Representative Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph), which introduces the "Childcare Contribution Tax Credit Act." that includes:
- A tax credit for contributions to child care facilities in an amount equal to 75% of the contribution above $100
- A tax credit for businesses providing or compensating for the cost of child care for employees up to 30% of the cost, with an additional 15% increase for facilities located in child care deserts
- A tax credit for child care providers in an amount equal to the provider's withholding tax for 3 or more employees and an amount equal to 30% of new capital expenditures above $1,000.
Following a brief debate, the House passed the bill with a 113-39 vote on Thursday. It now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
House Committee Activity
Teacher Recruitment & Retention
The House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee met Wednesday to discuss HB 1447, sponsored by Representative Ed Lewis (R-Moberly). The bill aims to improve teacher recruitment and retention by raising minimum salaries. It proposes a minimum starting salary of $38,000 annually, increasing annually for inflation. Teachers with a master's degree and ten years of experience would have a minimum salary of $44,000, rising by $1,000 yearly until 2029-30, when it reaches $48,000. The bill establishes a "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Fund" for districts to match funds to cover salary increases, up to 70%, until June 30, 2028. It also modifies the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Fund" and career ladder program.
This bill also includes Aligned priority language that allows for differentiated teacher pay on the local salary schedule. The practice of compensating teachers by a "step and lane" salary schedule has been in place since the early 20th century and remains the most common method of determining compensation in public pre-K-12 education. This schedule awards increases based on years of experience and earning graduate credit hours and degrees. All teachers at the same step and lane on the schedule are not factored in regardless of grade level, content area, or professional experience outside the classroom. This practice is unlike other professions such as medicine, law, engineering, and higher education, where different areas of specialization see varying salary levels.
Aligned, Quality Schools Coalition, Missouri NEA, MSBA, MO Retired Teachers Association, Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City, and St. Louis Public Schools testified in support. There was no opposition.
The committee also heard HB 1431 sponsored by Representative Willard Haley (R-Eldon) which includes the teacher pay provisions in HB 1447.
Early Childhood Education
HB 1486 (Shields), reported on in first section, was passed out of the House Rules-Legislative Oversight Committee.
Senate Committee News
Open Enrollment and Nonresident Transfers
The Senate Select Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children met to discuss SB 1051, sponsored by Senator Curtis Trent (R-Springfield). This bill, which mirrors HB 1989, allows nonresident pupils to enroll in public and charter schools in Missouri under certain conditions. It establishes transfer procedures between districts and creates an online portal to track applications. Students can transfer to participating districts, including charter schools, without the districts needing to add staff or programs. Transportation is the responsibility of parents unless the student qualifies for assistance. The bill also proposes a fund for transportation costs. Students can participate in open enrollment, provided it doesn't conflict with desegregation plans.
The American Federation for Children, Quality Schools Coalition, and YES! Every Kid testified in support.
The St. Clair and Santa Fe School Districts, North Kansas City School District, Missouri NEA, Missouri School Boards Association, and Missouri State Teachers Association testified in opposition.
Accountability Measures in Public Schools
The Senate Select Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children met to discuss SB 1366, sponsored by Senator Curtis Trent (R-Springfield). This bill proposes changes to school accountability metrics, emphasizing student growth and achievement for public and public charter schools in the state. The bill proposes separate formulas for elementary schools and high schools. Elementary schools would be measured 50% on academic achievement and 50% on year-over-year academic growth. Secondary student achievement would be measured at 60% for specified college and career readiness credential metrics and 40% for a combination of student achievement on end-of-course exams and the five-year student graduation rate.
The Quality Schools Coalition, two parents, and Aligned testified in support.
The Missouri NEA testified in opposition.
Reports
Read the full unabridged legislative report here.
See all tracked legislation here.
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