MO HB897

Allows high-risk or alternative charter schools to include alternative arrangements for students to obtain credit toward graduation, including off-campus instruction, embedded credit, work experience through internships, and independent studies, subject to state board approval.

Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to conduct a study after three years of operation for any charter school granted alternative credit arrangements to assess student performance, graduation rates, educational outcomes, and workforce or higher education entry.

Extends the School Flex Program to charter schools, allowing eligible students ages 17-21 without a high school degree to attend minimum 2 instructional hours daily while pursuing college, technical education, or employment aligned with their career plan.

Adds preference provisions allowing charter schools focused on dropout prevention or recovery to enroll nonresident high-risk or dropout students from residential care facilities, transitional living group homes, or independent living programs whose last school enrollment was in the charter school's district.

Grants charter schools focused on dropout prevention preference for admitting resident pupils over nonresident pupils and allows preference for admission of high-risk students and dropouts as defined in statute.