MO HB1256

Establishes the "Local Economic and Academic Partnership (LEAP) Program" within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to encourage public schools to partner with local businesses, higher education institutions, trade unions, and other schools for workforce training and economic development.

Creates an 11-member LEAP Council appointed by the joint committee on education, consisting of six business owners/senior managers and five education representatives, responsible for reviewing and approving partnership applications within 30 days.

Provides incentives for participating schools including full attendance credit regardless of absences if students meet performance measures, 100% average daily attendance reimbursement for online/hybrid courses, and replacement college and career readiness score credit for locally-developed assessments.

Authorizes schools to employ "visiting scholars" as classroom teachers through the LEAP Council based on exceptional talent or outstanding distinction in their field, with a one-year license requiring administrator verification of employment.

Establishes a "Local Economic and Academic Partnership Fund" for program administration with funds not reverting at biennium end; program automatically sunsets after six years unless reauthorized by the general assembly.