Establishes the Missouri Education Intervention Task Force
If enacted, SB1059 will significantly alter the governance framework for struggling school districts in Missouri. The task force will take over governance from local school boards, potentially limiting local control over educational methods and funding. The task force will also require districts in need to submit spending requests to the task force for approval, thus centralizing power at the state level for districts that fail academic benchmarks.
Senate Bill 1059, introduced by Senator Schroer, seeks to establish the Missouri Education Intervention Task Force. The bill aims to address the academic performance of underperforming school districts, designated as 'districts in need'. The task force will have the authority to oversee these districts, implement corrective actions, and explore alternative governance models to improve educational outcomes. Annually, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will provide a list of the ten lowest-performing districts for the governor's consideration in designating districts in need.
There are concerns regarding the bill's approach to governance, particularly from local education leaders and community advocates. Critics argue that placing districts under a task force's control may undermine local expertise and community input in educational decision-making. Moreover, the emphasis on strict accountability measures, such as mandating summer school for underperforming students, raises questions about equity and the potential overburdening of teachers and resources in these districts.