MO HB1843

Requires parents in metropolitan or urban school districts with more than 400,000 inhabitants spanning multiple counties to enroll children in public, private, parochial, or parish schools by age five beginning in the 2013-2014 school year.

Exempts families intending to provide home school instruction that complies with state requirements, including at least 1,000 hours of annual instruction with 600 hours in core academic subjects.

Home school parents must maintain records including a plan book, portfolio of student work, and evaluations of academic progress, with at least 400 of the 600 core hours occurring at the home school location.

Allows children ages 14-16 with legal employment to be excused from full-time attendance, and permits children ages 5-7 to be withdrawn from school via written parental request.

Prohibits state departments and agencies from dictating curriculum requirements for private, parochial, parish, or home schools, allowing such schools to include or exclude content consistent with their religious doctrines.