HB 679 -- PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION

SPONSOR:  Kraus

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elementary
and Secondary Education by a vote of 15 to 0.

This bill requires the State Board of Education to adopt a policy
by December 1, 2005, that encourages effective family involvement
in education.  The policy will apply when the state board
interacts with school districts, parents, and members of the
general public.  The state board will consult with local
districts to assist in the development of similar district
policies, which must be adopted no later than March 1, 2006.
Both the state board and local school boards' policies must
promote, among other goals, communication, support and
recognition of the role parents play, and inclusion of parents as
full partners in educational decision-making.  These policies
must be reviewed at least once a year.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that successful schools are ones in
which parents feel welcome.  The bill will focus districts'
attention and help them evaluate their efforts to make families
part of the education process.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Kraus; Missouri
Congress of Parents and Teachers; Missouri School Boards
Association; Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City;
Missouri National Education Association; Missouri State Teachers
Association; Missouri Federation of Teachers and School-Related
Personnel; Missouri School Administrators Coalition; and Missouri
Association of Elementary School Principals.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say the Missouri School
Improvement Program does have some elements that address parental
involvement, but it is unlikely that a district would lose
accreditation based solely on low scores for parental
involvement.

Others testifying on the bill was Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education.

Becky DeNeve, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:20 pm