MO HB743

Establishes the A+ Schools Program within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to award grants to public secondary schools meeting specific performance commitments regarding graduation, rigorous coursework, and post-secondary outcomes.

Requires participating schools to establish measurable performance standards, eliminate general course tracks, maintain rigorous academic standards, and develop partnership plans with business, labor, and community representatives for student support and workplace readiness.

Authorizes reimbursement of tuition, books, and fees for eligible students attending public community colleges, vocational/technical schools, or accredited nonprofit two-year private vocational/technical schools, provided students meet attendance, grade, and federal funding requirements.

Creates an alternative eligibility pathway for students in unaccredited school districts whose high schools do not meet A+ requirements, allowing them to apply for reimbursement if they achieve at least an 18 on the English portion of the ACT and meet other qualifications, with school officers designated to validate eligibility.

Requires schools meeting program requirements for three consecutive years to receive regulatory waivers promoting operational flexibility, including exemption from pupil testing requirements and state board accreditation classification requirements.