2020 RSD Legislative Platform

 

2020 Legislative Platform

As the bedrock of strong local communities, public schools are critical to the continued development of a prepared work-force in Missouri. The investment and support of the public schools’ innovative approach toeducating our children is critical to the success of our state.

Addressing Students' Educational, Social and Emotional Well-Being

The success of all children in our public schools depends greatly on our ability to meet their social and emotional needs. In the absence of basic needs, educational progress may suffer.

• We support funding public schools’ trauma-informed approach and the necessary services to addressthe mental health needs of our students.
• We support funding to expand academic interventions to meet unique student needs and challengesby providing individualized instruction.
• We support funding of access to early childhood education programming and opportunities.

Ensuring Accountability and Innovation

In order to improve education in Missouri, it is imperative to provide equitable education that supports and promotes high quality teaching and learning.

• We support legislation requiring all educational institutions receiving public funds to be held to thesame accountabil-ity standards ensuring that all students receive an equitable and quality education.
• We support innovative and relevant practices that allow for exposure, exploration and an enhanced emphasis in areas that will improve employability skills, such as work-based learning, dual credit/enrollment, and business and post-secondary partnerships.
• We support a purposeful and meaningful accountability and assessment system that drives both improvement and innovation in education.

Supporting Local Control

Federal and state mandates are eroding local control. We call on the General Assembly to support publicschool districts to create initiatives that will promote success for all Missouri children.

• We support school districts’ ability to choose appropriate virtual learning providers that follow Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) guidelines, utilize Missouri standards and employ Missouri teachers.
• We support keeping local dollars in local communities under the accountability and oversight of locally elected school boards.
• We support local decisions by public schools on issues regarding bonding, local tax rate,compensation, school calendar, curriculum and district boundaries.

Funding for Missouri's Future

It is critical that the General Assembly continues to fully fund Missouri public schools and invest in the futureof more than 900,000 Missouri public school children.

• We want to ensure that full funding of Missouri public schools continues to be a priority includingsupport for DESE’s request of additional transportation funding.
• We support a statewide effort to grow the next generation of Missouri educators and retain teachers by increasing salaries for ALL Missouri teachers through new funding sources.