MO HB1920

Unaccredited school districts may redirect funds from specified state education funding sources toward early childhood programming upon adopting a resolution, notifying the state board of education, and receiving state board approval of the programming rationale.

Unaccredited districts must report data required by the state board of education and reapply annually to continue early childhood programming in subsequent school years.

The state board of education may approve pilot projects allowing unaccredited districts to award teaching credentials at the district level for districts with demonstrated history of employing alternative certification teachers, paraprofessionals, or permanent substitute teachers.

Teacher candidates in district pilot programs are not required to meet minimum college credit requirements in education but must achieve prescribed certification examination scores; districts may recognize specialized credentials such as Montessori training.

The pilot program automatically sunsets six years after the effective date unless reauthorized by the general assembly, with a subsequent sunset of twelve years if reauthorized, and the state board must ensure districts have adequate instructional support capacity before approving pilots.