Establishes the Show Me Success Diploma Program, the Competency-Based Education Grant Program, the Competency-Based Education Task Force, and a competency-based credit system for high school students
Impact
In addition to the diploma program, SB660 creates a 'Competency-Based Education Grant Program Fund' to support school districts in implementing competency-based educational programs. This grant system is intended to ensure that school districts can develop and offer innovative educational solutions tailored to their students' needs. Additionally, the bill establishes a 'Competency-Based Education Task Force' tasked with studying and recommending further development of competency-based education initiatives across the state, including strategies to align assessments with local and state educational goals.
Summary
Senate Bill 660 establishes several educational initiatives in Missouri, most notably the 'Show Me Success Diploma Program.' This initiative provides an alternative pathway for high school students to graduate by demonstrating their competency in essential subjects such as English, science, and mathematics. The program allows students to earn a diploma at their own pace between the end of the tenth grade and the conclusion of the twelfth grade. It is designed to support students who may struggle with traditional educational timelines, providing them with a flexible educational pathway that aims to better prepare them for postsecondary education or the workforce.
Contention
While supporters of SB660 argue that it will enhance educational outcomes by allowing students to graduate based on their mastery of skills rather than time spent in the classroom, there are points of contention surrounding the funding and implementation of such programs. Critics may express concern over the potential for inequitable access to these resources among different school districts, particularly those with fewer financial means. There may also be apprehensions about how the competency-based assessments will be standardized to ensure all students, regardless of their background, receive equal opportunities to succeed.
Quality Basic Education Act; require State Board of Education to review and update policies, guidelines, and processes for awarding units of high school credit to students based on a demonstration of subject area competency