HCS SCS SB 64 -- ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

SPONSOR:  Goodman (Wallace)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Student Achievement by a vote of 7 to 0.

This substitute changes the laws regarding elementary and
secondary education.  In its main provisions, the substitute:

(1)  Establishes a procedure for school districts to set an
opening date of school earlier than 10 days before Labor Day by
holding a hearing;

(2)  Revises the calendar requirements for make-up days by
requiring six additional days to be scheduled for inclement
weather purposes and requires making up half of any days missed
in excess of six;

(3)  Authorizes an exemption to the calendar requirements for the
2006-2007 school year for districts affected by inclement weather
on or after January 12, 2007;

(4)  Requires mentoring standards to be established for beginning
teachers by June 30, 2008, and establishes benchmarks for quality
programs;

(5)  Establishes a new initial license category for teacher
applicants who have completed the American Board of Certification
for Teacher Excellence Program; and

(6)  Codifies procedures for handling the educational needs of
children who are placed in residential care facilities by the
state but do not require special education services.  The
substitute includes provisions on how needs will be handled at
different types of facilities and requires facilities and
districts to cooperate on a general plan.

The provision of the substitute regarding the calendar
requirements for the 2006-2007 school year contains an emergency
clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of $15,000
in FY 2008, $0 in FY 2009, and $0 in FY 2010.  Estimated Cost on
Other State Funds of Unknown - Greater than $100,000 in FY 2008,
FY 2009, and FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that there is a direct link between
tourism and the start of school.  As schools open earlier, the
economy suffers.  The bill has a larger measure of local control
than earlier versions.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Goodman; Missouri Chamber of
Commerce and Industry; Tri-County Lodging Association; Missouri
Attraction Association; Missouri Camp Alliance; Missouri Travel
Council; Missouri Canoe and Floaters Association; Missouri
Citizens for the Arts.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am