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State Board of Education shouldn’t ignore education professionals
A letter from MSTA Executive Director Bruce Moe
The State Board of Education named the members of the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Blue Ribbon Commission this week. The Commission will be comprised of 22 members, 18 of which have been appointed with four legislators who will be announced at the next State Board meeting in May. The State Board followed through with their initial plan that limits the inclusion of active education professionals. The Blue Ribbon Commission primarily includes business and industry members but also legislators, members of the State Board of Education, the governor’s staff - only two educators and one school board member.
The Blue Ribbon Commission is charged with delivering a report to the State Board of Education in October 2022. They will provide a summary of the Commission’s work along with clear action steps, suggested legislative and policy changes, and any other specific and measurable strategies recommended to address teacher recruitment and retention challenges in Missouri.
The State Board of Education has been working on issues regarding teacher recruitment and retention over the past four years. The Missouri State Teachers Association has been an active partner in those efforts, with membership on the DESE-organized Teachers Table and providing valuable survey information from thousands of Missouri educators.
This isn’t new ground for the State Board of Education to cover. Beginning in March of 2019, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education presented the State Board of Education with a Teacher Workforce Outreach Plan with updates in May, September and December of that year. The plan provided direction and focus for addressing challenges and issues regarding Missouri’s teacher workforce. This included 26 strategies and 90 action steps. The DESE-led effort - to prepare, develop and support educators to ensure an effective teacher in every classroom and an effective leader in every school - was largely halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The work done on this plan in collaboration with students, parents and educators has been shelved and replaced by a panel comprised of individuals who work outside of education. The absence of professional educators from all stages of their careers on this commission is another step in the wrong direction for a State Board of Education that adopted legislative priorities to study alternatives to traditional salary schedule, such as incentive pay, pay for performance, health benefit design, tenure, and differential pay based on subject area and geography. Not only do teachers not support these harmful changes, but Missouri citizens spoke loud and clear at the ballot box in 2014, defeating Amendment 3 which would have put many of these divisive ideas into law. Over 75% of Missourians rejected the well-funded ballot measure aimed at weakening Missouri’s public schools. The Blue Ribbon Commission could address many educators’ concerns by quickly discounting these highly unpopular ideas. Eliminating long-standing due process protections for educators will only exacerbate Missouri’s educator retention problems.
Also unveiled by the State Board of Education was a Climate and Culture Task Force which will help advise the Commission. The State Board is correct to identify that climate and culture inside and outside the classroom has an impact on the wellbeing of our educators and the respect for the profession. This is a stated goal of the commission. Yet, the State Board has decided against the inclusion of more educators on this commission. They should be more inclusive on decisions regarding how best to support recruitment and retention efforts in their own profession.
MSTA’s efforts to support recruitment and retention for Missouri teachers continue, including important work toward growing MSTA’s Future Teachers of America and Student MSTA on College and University campuses. Future Teachers of America (FTA), a program to introduce the profession to high school students, was founded by MSTA in 1937. Student MSTA (SMSTA) is a student organization for college and university students looking toward a career in education. MSTA has also directed considerable effort toward supporting new education professionals, including mentor guidance and leadership development.
During the current legislative session, MSTA has supported increased funding for public education, the restarting and funding for the Career Ladder Program, and funding for increasing the minimum teacher salary. In budget requests to the legislature, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education didn’t even request increased funding for the formula or student transportation reimbursement for school districts that are currently underfunded by over $200 million at a time when the state has a record budget surplus.
While the composition of this Blue Ribbon Commission is disappointing, MSTA members will continue to have a voice in this process as we work with all members of the commission, providing important information and input from education professionals. No one has more insight, and more at stake in the work of the Blue Ribbon Commission than Missouri’s educators. We should have more seats at the table.
Members of the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Blue Ribbon Commission
Maxine Clark, Clayton, Founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop
Aaron Decker, Poplar Bluff, Vice President and Retail Lending Officer at Southern Bank
Amy Estes, Rosebud, Regional Manager at Ayusa Global Youth Exchange
Kurt Hellweg, Springfield, Chairman of the Board of International Dehydrated Foods, Inc., American Dehydrated Foods, Inc. (“ADF”), Food Ingredients Technology Company, LLC, and IsoNova Technologies, LLC.
Kathy Osborn, St. Louis, President and CEO of the Regional Business Council
Keith Pritchard, Waynesville, Chairman of the Board of Security Bank of Pulaski County
Dred Scott, Kansas City, President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City
Ruth Stricklen Pullins, Kansas City, Chief Human Resources Officer for University Health
Mark Walker, Springfield, Chairman and CEO of TransLand
Bob Wollenman, St. Joseph, Managing Partner of Deluxe Truck Stop
Kim Bailey, Raymore, Missouri State Board of Education Member
Donald Claycomb, Linn, State Board of Education Member
Mary Schrag, West Plains, Missouri State Board of Education
Jamie Birch, Ashland, Governor Mike Parson’s Deputy Policy Director
Paul Katnik, Jefferson City, Assistant Commissioner DESE Office of Educator Quality
Darrion Cockrell, St. Louis, Elementary physical education teacher, 2021 Teacher of the Year
Misty Grandel, Fordland, High School language arts teacher, 2020 Teacher of the Year
Rhonda Gilstrap, Blue Springs, President Blue Springs School District Board of Education
4 Legislators, 2 House and 2 Senate to be named later
PSRS/PEERS Board members approved
Two candidates for the PSRS/PEERS Board of Trustees obtained the signatures necessary to qualify to be candidates for Board seats. Incumbent Board member and Chairman Jason Steliga and Allie Gassmann will begin four-year terms on the board starting July 1, 2022.
Steliga, an elected PSRS member, joined the Board on October 21, 2015. He has 18 years of teaching experience, and is presently teaching at Park Hill South High School, located in Riverside, MO. Gassmann is a parent educator for the Columbia Public Schools’ Parents as Teachers (PAT) program. She will serve as an elected PEERS member of the Board.
With two open seats and two qualified candidates, no election was required. The petition audit committee comprised of representatives from various Missouri education associations, including MSTA approved the signatures submitted on behalf of two candidates.
House continues to move education bills
This week the House gave first round approval to several education related bills.
HB2325 (Patterson) establishes the Workforce Diploma Program to assist students in obtaining a high school diploma and develop employability and career technical skills. An unclear amendment was added that would create a policy that would allow students to receive credit for participation in out-of-classroom learning experiences as approved by the State Board of Education, a school board, or a charter school. It is still unclear how this program would be carried out in practice.
HB2365 (Shields) removes the label of pilot program from the early learning quality assurance reporting program and authorizes the program to provide continuous improvement and ongoing updated consumer education.
HB2152 (Henderson) provides a definition for "school innovation team" and for "school innovation waiver" and allows school innovation teams to submit a plan to the State Board of Education (SBOE) for a state innovation waiver for a variety of purposes. Plans submitted to the SBOE must include the provision of law for which the waiver is being requested, as well as demonstrate the necessity of the waiver, provide measurable performance targets and goals, and demonstrate support for the plan.
These bills will need an additional vote in the House before they are sent to the Senate for committee hearings and possible debate by the full Senate.
The House passed HB2376 (Kelly) which states that the residency of children in state custody, for the purpose of determining state and local funding, shall be determined by the location of where the child resides. If a child resides in a residential treatment facility and is unable to attend the resident public school due to safety or behavioral concerns, and the residential facility provides the education for the child, then the facility is entitled to at least 80% of all state money paid to the resident district on a per-pupil basis along with any addition funding provided through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
During debate, an amendment was added to expand gifted programs. By July 1, 2024, school districts are required to establish a state-approved gifted program if 3% or more of the students are identified as gifted. By July 1, 2024, district schools with an average daily attendance of more than 350 students must have a teacher certificated to teach gifted education. In districts with an average daily attendance of 350 or less any teacher providing gifted instruction is not required to be certified to teach gifted education but must participate in six hours per year of professional development regarding gifted services and the expense of the training will be paid by the school district.
Also added was an amendment that removes the label of pilot program from the early learning quality assurance reporting program and authorizes the program to provide continuous improvement and ongoing updated consumer education.
HB2376 will now go to the Senate for consideration.
The House defeated HB2171 (Francis) which requires students to develop an Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP) which must be reviewed annually, by school personnel and the student's parent or guardian. The ICAP must now include a declaration of a student's postsecondary plan. This bill would also require students in public and charter schools to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before being eligible for a certificate of graduation.
Senate Education Committee votes out two omnibus education bills
The Senate Education Committee created two large education omnibus bills, combining bills that had been heard or voted out of the committee at earlier hearings.
HB2202 (Fitzwater) began as a bill that would modify computer science courses and requires certain coursework and instruction in computer science and computational thinking in public and charter high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. Courses and instruction offered under the bill would be required to meet standards established by the State Board of Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The bill also creates a computer science education task force that will make recommendations for legislation to the General Assembly.
Bills that were added into the omnibus committee substitute:
SB660 (Arthur) creates the show me success diploma program as an alternative pathway to graduation for high school students. Language from this bill also establishes the competency-based education grant program and the competency-based education task force and allows for competency-based credits for high school students.
SB681 (O’Laughlin) requires the State Board of Education in consultation with the Missouri Advisory Board for Educator Preparation to align literacy and reading instruction coursework for teacher education programs. All reading and special education certificates shall include training in reading. The State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and the Commissioner's advisory council is required to develop a plan to establish a comprehensive system of services for reading instruction. The State Board of Education will also create an Office of Literacy and take other actions relating to improving literacy. The bill also creates the evidence-based reading instruction program fund. SB681 included the creation of school innovation waivers, allowing school districts to submit a state innovation waiver plan to the State Board of Education for certain purposes. Any plan for a school innovation waiver must contain information that includes the specific provision of law for which a waiver is being requested and an explanation for why such provision of law inhibits the goal stated in the plan. The State Board shall not authorize the waiver of any statutory requirements relating to teacher certification, teacher tenure, or any requirement imposed by federal law. The bill changes the term "reading intervention plans" to "reading success plans" throughout the bill and will apply to charter schools. Each school district and charter school will have a policy for reading success plans. The reading success plans will provide all parents of students with a plan that includes suggestions for regular parent-guided home reading.
At the beginning of the school year, each school will provide a reading success plan to any student who exhibits a substantial deficiency in reading or has been identified as being at risk of dyslexia. If a student has a substantial reading deficiency at the end of 3rd grade, promotion or retention of the student will be discussed by the student's parent or guardian and appropriate school staff. Schools will provide students identified as having a substantial reading deficiency with certain additional services. Each school district and charter school must ensure that intensive reading instruction is provided through a reading development initiative to each kindergarten through 5th grade student who is assessed as exhibiting a substantial reading deficiency. Such instruction shall comply with criteria listed in the bill. Schools must provide professional development services to enhance the skills of elementary teachers in responding to children's unique reading issues and need to increase the use of evidence-based strategies.
SB958 (Bean) provides that a school employee trained by a nurse and contracted for the transportation of school children shall have the discretion to administer an epinephrine auto syringe on any student who is having a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. Language from this bill also provides that school districts have the authority to use vehicles other than school buses to transport school children.
SB703 (Eslinger) requires DESE to establish for students prior to their 9th grade year to develop an individual career and academic plan of study, with help from the student's parent or guardian and the school's guidance counselors. The bill states that no student shall receive a certificate of graduation unless the student has completed and submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, with exemptions under certain circumstances.
Also passed by the committee was HB2304 (E.Lewis) which includes all of the language and bills that were included in HB2202 (Fitzwater) listed above as well as the bills listed below.
HB2304 was passed by the House and included language relating to changes to obtaining a substitute certificate to teach. This bill is similar to the changes that were adopted by the State Board of Education. Applicants for certification must complete a background check and have at least 36 college hours or have completed a 20-hour online training, individuals must also have a high school diploma or equivalent. The bill also allows retired teachers to substitute part-time or as a temporary substitute and not have those hours and salary affect their retirement allowance until June 30, 2025.
SB769 (O’Laughlin) authorizes the creation of up to four pilot recovery high schools to be established and operated by individual public school districts or groups of districts.
SB806 (Hoskins) expands gifted education.
HB2114 (R. Black) allows any teacher retired from the PSRS to be employed in a position covered under PEERS without stopping their retirement benefit to earn up to the annual earnings limit applicable to a Social Security recipient before the calendar year of attainment of full retirement age under federal regulations. The bill would also allow critical shortage provisions for work after retirement to be used for up to 4 years instead of two years.
Bill Summaries
House
Elementary and Secondary Education Committee
HB1836 (Wiemann) modifies the Trauma Informed School Initiative to require participating schools to keep a record of specific incidents and to inform parents within 48 hours of a child's removal from a classroom due to an outburst.
HB2844 (T. Smith) allows school district employees and contractors that are performing services for the school district to provide routine first aid and administer medication or medical services without any liability for their actions. The actions provided must follow proper procedure and be performed in good faith according to standard medical practice.
Executive Session
HB1933 (Basye) defines the "civil rights era" and requires that a civil rights era model curriculum be developed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The bill outlines specific concepts and goals that the civil rights curriculum will focus on including but not limited to: the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, and other efforts that deprived people of fundamental civil rights. Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, DESE shall have the model curriculum available and school districts must adopt and use the curriculum or a substantially similar one for instruction. The amount of instruction that qualifies as a unit is determined by each school district. Voted do pass with committee substitute.
HB2211 (Hurlbert) expands the voucher program created last session to include an elementary or secondary school student who is a resident of any county with at least 100,000 inhabitants. This will expand the program to include the counties of Boone, Cass, Clay, Franklin, Greene, Jasper, and Platte upon enactment. Voted do pass with committee substitute.
HB2292 (Baker) allows a school district to offer an elective social studies unit on the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament of the Bible, or the New Testament of the Bible. The course will include the contents, history, literary style and structure, and influences on American history. No requirement shall be made by the district on the text translation students must use. This bill requires that any course offered shall follow applicable laws maintaining religious neutrality, and shall not endorse, favor, promote, or show hostility to any particular religion, nonreligious faith or religious perspective. Voted do pass.
Senate
Executive Session
SB692 (Thompson Rehder) modifies make-up hours for half-day educational programs. The minimum hours of actual pupil attendance and minimum scheduled make-up hours shall be reduced by one-half. Voted do pass.
SB1142 (Hough) beginning July 1, 2023, this act requires a public school or charter school with pupils in grades seven to twelve, as well as a public institution of higher education, that issues pupil identification cards to print certain suicide prevention phone and text numbers on such cards. Voted do pass with committee substitute.
SB1055 (Arthur) under current law, a dual credit scholarship shall reimburse each eligible student for up to fifty percent of the tuition and cost paid by the student to enroll in a dual credit course. Current law also limits the amount of the scholarship per student to $500 annually for all dual credit courses taken by such students. The bill provides that each eligible student shall be offered a dual credit or dual enrollment scholarship equal to the tuition and fees paid by the student to enroll in the dual credit or dual enrollment course. The act also repeals the $500 limitation. Voted do pass.
SB1175 (Eslinger) requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a patriotic and civics training program for teachers based upon the 1776 Report. Each teacher that completes the program will receive a one-time bonus of $3,000. Voted do pass.
HB1856 (Baker) states that each local school board and charter school is required to inform students and parents of the ability to earn credit through extended learning opportunities, which are defined as out-of-classroom learning experiences approved by a local school board or a charter school to provide enrichment, career readiness skills, or other approved educational opportunities. These opportunities do not require the permission of the student's school so long as the student and at least one parent sign an agreement detailing all program requirements. Extended learning opportunities will count as credit toward graduation requirements and the achievement of state standards. Students are required to submit a written request and proof of completion to a school administrator to receive credit. Each local school district and charter school shall adopt, distribute, and implement policies related to the approval of extended learning opportunities by outside entities, a list of approved entities, a process for requesting credit, criteria for the approval of extended learning opportunities by districts and charter schools, and criteria for awarding a certificate of completion and credit. Voted do pass with committee substitute.
SB1057 (May) establishes a mental health awareness training requirement for students in high school. Instruction is required to be included in the district's existing health or physical education curriculum. Instruction must be based on a program established by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Voted do pass.
HB2202 (Fitzwater) see earlier story. Voted do pass with committee substitute.
HB2304 (E. Lewis) see earlier story. Voted do pass with committee substitute.