MO HB994

Repeals the current section 167.131 and enacts five new sections to create a new school accreditation classification system that separately accredits individual schools and school districts, to be implemented after the fifth cycle of the current school improvement program.

Allows accredited districts or cooperative associations to sponsor or operate charter schools in unaccredited school districts, with unaccredited districts required to offer first refusal on leasing or purchasing unused facilities to authorized charter schools.

Establishes a coordinating agency role for corporations to manage student transfers from unaccredited districts to accredited districts, including maintaining an open-enrollment period and assigning students based on available seats and transportation.

Requires unaccredited school districts to pay tuition and transportation for resident students attending accredited schools in the same or adjoining county, unless students attend charter schools in their district, participate in a transfer program, or accept an educational voucher.

Authorizes students in unaccredited districts to accept educational vouchers to attend private schools, with voucher amounts capped at the state adequacy target, requiring participating schools to register with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and report student assessment results.