MO HB2965

State board of education must convene a work group to develop academic performance standards for one credit of Black history and one credit of Black literature education for high school students

Work group membership includes grades 9-12 educators teaching Black history and literature, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education representatives, and nonprofit organizations focused on Black history and literature studies

Academic performance standards must be adopted and implemented beginning in the 2027-28 school year

All Missouri school districts must require students to complete one credit of Black history and one credit of Black literature after completing grade nine to receive a high school diploma

School districts may waive the requirements for out-of-state transfer students who provide documentation of completing substantially similar coursework