FIRST REGULAR SESSION
93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES KRAUS (Sponsor), YATES, MUNZLINGER, McGHEE, BAKER (25), LeVOTA, STORCH, LOW (39), JOLLY, YOUNG, SCHOEMEHL, MOORE, MEINERS, JOHNSON (47), BROWN (50), CUNNINGHAM (86), BLAND, HUGHES AND AULL (Co-sponsors).
Read 1st time March 1, 2005 and copies ordered printed.
STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 167, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to effective involvement by parents and families in support of their children's education.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 167, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 167.700, to read as follows:
167.700. 1. The state board shall, in consultation with the boards of education of school districts, educational personnel, local associations and organizations of parents whose children are enrolled in public schools throughout this state and individual parents and legal guardians whose children are enrolled in public schools throughout this state, adopt a policy by December 1, 2005, which encourages effective involvement by parents and families in support of their children and the education of their children. The policy adopted by the state board shall be considered when the board:
(1) Consults with the boards of education of school districts in the adoption of policies under subsection 3; and
(2) Interacts with school districts, public schools, educational personnel, parents and legal guardians of pupils, and members of the general public in carrying out its duties under this section.
2. The policy adopted by the state board under subsection 1 must include the following elements and goals:
(1) Promotion of regular, two-way, meaningful communication between home and school;
(2) Promotion and support of responsible parenting;
(3) Recognition of the fact that parents and families play an integral role in assisting their children to learn;
(4) Promotion of a safe and open atmosphere for parents and families to visit the school that their children attend and active solicitation of parental and familial support and assistance for school programs;
(5) Inclusion of parents as full partners in decisions affecting their children and families; and
(6) Availability of community resources to strengthen and promote school programs, family practices, and the achievement of pupils.
3. The board of education of each school district shall, in consultation with the state board, educational personnel, local associations and organizations of parents whose children are enrolled in public schools of the school district and individual parents and legal guardians whose children are enrolled in public schools of the school district, adopt policies no later than March 1, 2006, which encourage effective involvement by parents and families in support of their children and the education of their children. The policies adopted under this subsection shall:
(1) Be consistent, to the extent applicable, with the policy adopted by the state board under subsection 1; and
(2) Include the elements and goals specified in subsection 2.
4. The state board and the board of trustees of each school district shall, at least once each year, review and amend their respective policies as necessary.