Missouri Governor Signs Three Education Measures Sponsored by Rep. Kathryn Swan

Springfield students with HB 2379 - Dyslexia Screening bill - signed by the Governor

From the Office of Representative Kathryn Swan

District 147

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 23, 2016

Missouri Governor Signs Three Education Measures Sponsored by Rep. Kathryn Swan

Springfield, Mo. – During a recent visit to the Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation, Governor Nixon signed three significant education bills: HB 2379, HB 1646, and SB 638. Rep. Kathryn Swan (R-Cape Girardeau) sponsored HB 2379, HB 1646 and served as the House Handler for SB 638.

HB 2379 establishes the Legislative Task Force on Dyslexia and directs the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary education to develop guidelines for the screening of students for dyslexia and related disorders and guidelines for the classroom support of such students. Rep. Swan says, “With an estimated 20% of schoolchildren coping with dyslexia, this legislation will help identify those students and help them to be more successful in school.”

HB 1646 is the “Missouri Civics Education Initiative” which adds American Civics to the current testing requirements for students receiving a certificate of graduation from public and private high schools in Missouri.

A third measure (HB 1613) sponsored by Rep. Swan, aims to reduce the need for remedial or developmental coursework after high school graduation. Amended to SB 638, the measure requires school districts to implement a system for identifying students in the ninth grade who are “at risk of not graduating on time and/or not being ready for college-level work or entry-level career positions.” Districts are required to provide academic and career counseling to these students attempt to prepare them to be college or career-ready upon graduation. Districts are also encouraged to work with students and parents to develop personal plans of study prior to ninth grade that are based on a student’s interest and career goals.

SB 638 includes the following additional provisions:

• • A quality rating system for early childhood education providers serving children ages birth to kindergarten. Missouri is currently the only state in the nation without a quality rating system for early learning providers.

  • Allows nonpublic high schools to apply for certification as an A+ school,

  • Requirement that the Pledge of Allegiance be recited at least once daily.

  • Enhancement of the academic and financial standards and increased accountability of charter schools.

  • Changes to the funding of gifted education in school districts experiencing decreased program enrollment.

  • Establishment of the Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative.

  • Requirement of thirty minutes of CPR Instruction prior to high school graduation.

Rep. Swan indicated, “The key provisions in these three bills can remove barriers to learning for our Missouri children, giving them a greater opportunity for success in school, career and in life.”

The legislation will become effective on August 28, 2016.