House and Senate move education bills
The House and Senate gave approval to several education bills this week. They will require approval from the opposite chamber prior to being sent to the governor for his consideration.
House
HB2202 (Fitzwater) modifies the definition of “computer science course” by including any elementary, middle, or high school course that embeds computer science content within other subjects. This bill requires, for all school years on or after July 1, 2023, certain coursework, and instruction in computer science in public and charter high schools. Courses and instruction offered under the bill must meet certain standards established by the State Board of Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Beginning July 1, 2023, computer science courses successfully completed and counted toward state graduation requirements will be considered to be equivalent to one science or practical arts credit for the purpose of satisfying admission requirements at any public institution of higher education in the state. The bill establishes the “Computer Science Education Task Force”. The mission of the Task Force is to develop a state strategic plan for expansion of computer science education programs statewide.
HB1856 (Baker) establishes the “Extended Learning Opportunities Act”. The bill defines “extended learning opportunity” as an out-of-classroom learning experience as approved by the State Board of Education, school board, or a charter school and that provides a student with: Enrichment opportunities; Career readiness or employability skills opportunities including, but not limited to, internships; pre-apprenticeships; or apprenticeships; or any other approved educational opportunities.
The bill requires that by the 2023-24 school year the State Board of Education and local school boards must inform students of the opportunity to participate and earn credit for extended learning opportunities. The State Board of Education must adopt a policy and local school districts are required to distribute and implement extended learning policies that include an application process, a list of eligible entities offering extended learning opportunities, the process for receiving credit, and criteria for approval and completion.
Senate
SB710 (Beck) requires individualized health care plans to be developed by school nurses in public schools and charter schools. These plans will be developed in consultation with a student’s parent or guardian and appropriate medical professionals that address procedural guidelines and specific directions for emergency situations relating to the student’s epilepsy or seizure disorder. Plans are to be updated at the beginning of each school year and as necessary. Notice must be given to any school employee that may interact with the student, including symptoms of the epilepsy or seizure disorder and any medical and treatment issues that may affect the educational process.
All school employees must be trained every two years in the care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders. Training is required to include an online or in-person course of instruction approved by the Department of Health and Senior Services. School personnel must obtain a release from a student’s parent to authorize the sharing of medical information with other school employees as necessary.
The bill protects school employees from being held liable for any good faith act or omission while performing their duties.
Suicide prevention training bill passes out of House committee
The House Health and Mental Health Committee voted HB2136 (A. Kelley) out of committee do pass. Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, each school district may offer at least two hours of suicide prevention training for all practicing teachers. All teachers, principals, and licensed educators may attend such a training or complete training on suicide prevention through self-review of suicide prevention materials.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may develop materials to be used for training or offer districts materials developed by a third party. HB2136 also requires public schools, charter schools, and public institutions of higher education that issue pupil identification cards to have printed on the card specific phone numbers including those for the National Suicide Prevention and the Crisis Text Line.
This legislation allows for greater awareness in suicide prevention information as well as access to quality professional development, while not placing additional mandates on local school districts.
MSTA testified in support. MSTA Adopted Resolutions support providing student programs which appropriately support students in the aftermath of student suicide, in suicide prevention, and identification/awareness of the signs of suicide.
Retirement bills heard in committee
The House Pensions Committee heard two bills this week that could improve benefits for PSRS members.
HB2161 (Dinkins) and HB2430 (R. Black) would allow retirees that work 32 or more years to receive a 2.55% factor when figuring their retirement benefits. A similar benefit was available to PSRS retirees, but it expired in 2014. That benefit allowed people working 31 or more years to earn the 2.55% factor. The proposal being considered this year would raise the years of experience necessary to receive the 2.55% factor.
The legislation would allow students to continue to receive a robust education from master teachers, while those educators would benefit from an increase in their retirement allowance, while saving the retirement system money. A financial analysis that was done last year on the same proposal showed a savings to PSRS of $16.8 million per year.
MSTA testified in support of the legislation. MSTA Adopted Resolutions support reinstating the 2.55 factor for 31 or more years of service, if actuarially sound.
Senate passes congressional maps
The Missouri Senate gave approval to a House bill this week that would outline a new map for the state’s eight congressional districts. The House passed the bill in January and the Senate has spent many hours and late nights debating how to separate the state into new districts which is required every ten years following the census.
The bill will now go back to the House to be voted on and if approved sent to the Governor for his signature. Filing for state and federal offices for the August primary elections will close at 5:00 on March 29.
MSTA sends letters in support of federal bill for home loan program for educators
The Missouri State Teachers Association sent letters to the Missouri congressional delegation in support of the Homes for Every Local Provider, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act. The legislation is a bipartisan bill sponsored in the U.S. Senate by Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA).
This legislation would create a new federal program that would provide a one-time use home loan program for teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers and medical first responders. The new home loan program would operate in a similar fashion to the current Veteran Administration guaranteed loans.
The HELPER Act would eliminate a mortgage down payment requirement, eliminate mortgage insurance premium requirements and would need to be reauthorized every five years by congress.
The legislation is supported by a large number of national and state public service associations as well as the National Realtors Association.
There is also a companion bill that has bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives.
School board elections
Missouri will hold local school board elections on April 5, and you can be involved and make a difference to ensure that people who have the best interests of students and teachers are in a position to make decisions concerning public education. Each CTA can choose their own level of involvement in school board elections, ranging from not participating to fully endorsing a candidate. Other ways to get involved include hosting a candidate forum, administering questionnaires to candidates, interviewing candidates, endorsing candidates based on questionnaires and interviews and input from your entire CTA, and actively campaigning for candidates.
There are several things that all education employees must remember regarding political activities. Missouri teachers are prohibited by state law from serving as a treasurer or campaign manager for a school-board candidate in a school district employing the teacher. Education employees must always refrain from engaging in political activities using any district resources, including email and no political activity may take place during school hours. Please make sure you follow these important rules and if there are any funds raised or used to support a candidate, there may be certain reporting requirements under law and rule of the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Education debt
Student loan repayment was paused during the pandemic but is currently scheduled to resume on May 1, 2022. In an October survey to MSTA members, 57% of the nearly 6,700 participants said they did have student loan debt. Of those who had debt, 26% had loans totaling $40,000 or more.
Public service loan forgiveness and other programs can help lessen the burden, but sorting through options can be time consuming. MSTA is partnering with Savi to provide members with a service that will help them easily navigate the student loan repayment process.
All members can visit msta.bysavi.com and enter their salary and monthly student loan payments to receive a free estimate on the monthly savings possible through Savi.
MSTA members also have free access to:
• A personalized repayment calculator
• Forgiveness eligibility detection
• A basic federal enrollment guide
• Online support and help centers
• A student loan dashboard
• Live educational workshops
MSTA members are eligible to receive a 33% discount on Savi’s premier tier of offerings, including:
• Digital Applications with Savi e-file enrollment
• Maximized forgiveness credits
• One-on-one support from Savi student loan experts
• Ongoing plan monitoring and management
• Annual enrollment reminders and policy updates
The cost for this service is $60/year.
For more information, visit msta.bysavi.com.