Missouri House Bill HB371

Missouri 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/16/25

Caption

Requires the department of elementary and secondary education to develop, use, and report student grade-level equivalence data

Impact

One of the primary impacts of HB371 is the introduction of grade-level equivalence metrics, which will indicate how closely a student’s academic performance aligns with expected standards for their grade level. This metric will assist educators and parents in identifying students who are meeting, exceeding, or falling behind in their educational progress. The annual report cards will provide a comprehensive overview of various indicators, such as student enrollment, graduation rates, and other key performance metrics, making the educational institutions more accountable.

Summary

House Bill 371 necessitates the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to generate annual school accountability report cards for each public school district and charter school within the state. This legislation aims to standardize the reporting of educational statistics and accountability information to provide clarity for parents, taxpayers, and school personnel. The bill is designed to comply with both state and federal regulations, ensuring that essential information related to student achievement is accessible and transparent.

Contention

Notably, there may be some contention surrounding the data privacy aspect of this legislation. While the bill ensures that report cards are designed to avoid personal identification of students, there are concerns among educators and parents about how the data will be managed and utilized. Critics may argue that the focus on standardization and accountability could overshadow the need for tailoring educational approaches to meet local needs. Furthermore, the inclusion of standardized metrics could raise debates regarding the adequacy of these measurements in capturing the true educational experience of diverse student populations.