MO SB1628

Establishes the "Missouri Universal Reading Screener" as a mandatory statewide literacy assessment for students in grades 1-3, administered three times annually and provided at no cost to school districts

Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, third-grade students with substantial reading deficiencies ("below basic" scores) must be retained unless they pass a summer retest or qualify for a good cause exemption (students with IEPs, 504 plans, English language learners under 2 years, or those already retained once)

Requires school districts with 3% or more gifted students to establish state-approved gifted programs starting in 2024-25, and mandates universal gifted screening for all students before grade 3 beginning in 2027-28

Teachers providing gifted services in districts with over 350 average daily attendance must be certified in gifted education; smaller districts require 6 hours of annual professional development instead

Requires districts to annually report retention policies, reading deficiency rates by grade level, number of students retained, and good cause exemptions granted by October 1 each year