Creates provisions regarding accountability requirements for public schools and establishes the School Accountability Board
If passed, SB768 will lead to significant changes in how underperforming schools are classified and managed. Schools identified as perennially failing, defined as being in the bottom five percent for more than three years, will receive a specific label and face mandated actions. This may include closure and student transfer to better-performing schools, partnerships with nonprofit operators to create in-district charter schools, or financial reimbursement options for student transfers to alternative schools.
Senate Bill 768 aims to enhance accountability measures for elementary and secondary schools in Missouri by establishing the School Accountability Board. This board will consist of representatives from various educational organizations, business sectors, and experts in education policy and economic development. Its primary role will be to provide guidance to the state board of education and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on the implementation of the state's school improvement program and to inform policy related to school accountability.
The bill's provisions, particularly those concerning the identification and management of persistently failing schools, have sparked debate among stakeholders. Proponents argue that such measures are necessary to ensure accountability and improve educational outcomes for students, while opponents worry about the potential for punitive measures against schools rather than constructive support. Critics are particularly concerned that labeling schools as 'persistently failing' could have negative implications for community resources and local educational efforts.