Read 1st time January 13, 2000, and 1000 copies ordered printed.
ANNE C. WALKER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 162, RSMo, relating to school districts by adding thereto one new section relating to teacher shortage districts.
Section A. Chapter 162, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 162.1145, to read as follows:
162.1145. 1. The school board of any school district may, by a majority vote, declare the district to be a "teacher shortage district" pursuant to this section. The board shall accompany such declaration with a fact statement supporting the need for such declaration, including but not limited to facts stating the district's difficulty in finding qualified, certified teachers willing to work in the district.
2. In the next school year beginning after declaration of teacher shortage district status, the school board may employ noncertificated instructional personnel, provided that no more than twenty-five percent of the full-time equivalent instructional staff positions at the school shall be filled by noncertificated personnel. All noncertificated instructional personnel shall be supervised by certified instructional personnel. The district shall ensure that all noncertificated instructional personnel have experience, training and skills appropriate to the instructional duties of the employee. Appropriate experience, training and skills of noncertificated instructional personnel shall be determined considering:
(1) Teaching certificates issued by another state or states;
(2) Certification by the National Standards Board;
(3) College degrees in the appropriate field;
(4) Evidence of technical training and competence when such training is appropriate; and
(5) Level of supervision and coordination with certificated instructional staff.
3. In its accreditation review of schools pursuant to the Missouri school improvement program or any successor
program, the department of elementary and secondary education shall not deduct points for lack of certified
teachers in any school district declaring itself to be a teacher shortage district pursuant to this section; except that,
if more than twenty-five percent of the instructional personnel employed by the district are noncertificated, then
the department may so deduct.
Missouri House of Representatives