MO HB639

Repeals sections 167.640 and 167.645 and replaces them with section 167.650, establishing comprehensive student progression requirements focused on reading proficiency and retention policies.

Mandates school districts establish standards for evaluating student performance, including specific reading performance levels by grade, with retention required for students not meeting grade-level reading standards by end of third grade unless exempt for good cause.

Identifies six categories of good cause exemptions from mandatory retention: limited English proficient students with less than three years of ESOL instruction, students with disabilities, students demonstrating acceptable performance on alternative reading assessments, students showing grade-level reading through portfolios, students with disabilities who received intensive remediation for over two years, and students who received intensive remediation for two or more years with prior retention.

Requires school districts to provide intensive reading interventions including minimum 90 minutes daily of scientifically research-based reading instruction, small group instruction, tutoring, summer reading camps, and a Reading Enhancement and Acceleration Development (READ) Initiative for at-risk K-3 students.

Mandates school districts implement midyear promotion policies for retained students who demonstrate grade-level reading ability, provide high-performing teachers to retained students, establish intensive acceleration classes for below-basic level readers, and report annually to parents and state board on retention rates and good cause exemptions.