This act requires each school district to identify students that are academically gifted based on criteria developed by the department of elementary and secondary education. Each school district may establish special programs or services for gifted students. Approval of such programs shall be made by the department based upon applications submitted by districts in a time and manner determined by the department. (Section 162.720)

This act requires the department to develop standards for high-quality mentoring for beginning teachers and beginning principals no later than June 30, 2008 for all public schools. Standards shall be based on the principles enumerated therein. Quality mentoring programs shall include, but not be limited to, the examples enumerated therein. The department shall involve representatives from the state teacher organizations, administration and principal organizations, Missouri advisory council as created by Section 168.015, RSMo, Missouri Staff Development Council, and from colleges and universities. (Section 168.350)

Currently, certain alternative retirement allowance provisions (commonly referred to as "25 and out" and the "31st year factor") of the Teacher and School Employee Retirement Systems terminate on July 1, 2008. This act extends the termination dates to July 1, 2013.

This act also replaces the term "pension" with the phrase "retirement benefit" throughout Sections 169.466 and 169.471, RSMo. The act also provides that the board of trustees for the public school retirement system in districts of 700,000 or over is authorized to increase retirement benefits for the system and to adopt additional retirement benefits for persons who have retired, including cost-of-living adjustments, as long as the board of trustees finds that the additional benefit will not require an increase in the contribution rate required by members or the board of education and is actuarially sound. If the board authorizes such an increase in benefits, it shall certify in writing to the board of education the findings upon which the board determines no increase in contributions. (Sections 169.070, 169.466, 169.471, 169.670)

This act requires the Department of Social Services in collaboration with the Departments of Health and Senior Services, elementary and secondary education, and mental health to develop a quality rating system for early childhood and before and after school programs licensed by the Department of Health and Senior Services that operate in this state by September 1, 2007. For purposes of this act, such programs and facilities are programs that are sponsored by public school districts. The licensing of such facilities shall be the baseline, while the highest rating includes accreditation. The departments shall utilize the model from the existing Missouri quality rating system pilots developed by the University of Missouri Center for Family Policy and Research to establish the system. The system will allow consumers and parents to evaluate and select high quality programs and creates a system of accountability for policymakers and those who fund such programs.

By July 1, 2014, one hundred percent of all licensed facilities shall be rated using the quality rating system established under this section. The Coordinating Board established under section 210.102, RSMo, shall develop a plan for a tiered system of reimbursement for child care subsidies. This plan shall be submitted to the General Assembly with recommendations for implementation to begin July 1, 2009.

The Quality Rating System Program Improvement Grant Fund is established and shall consist of all gifts, donations, transfers, moneys appropriated by the general assembly, and bequests to the fund. Money in the fund shall be used to provide grants directly to licensed providers seeking assistance for quality improvements to undergo evaluation under the quality rating system established under this act or to community-based organizations assisting providers with such improvements.

The Department of Social Services in collaboration with the Departments of Health and Senior Services, and Elementary and Secondary Education shall be responsible for promoting and distributing materials to educate the public and providers about the quality rating system established under this act. By January 1, 2009, the ratings of the quality rating system shall be posted on the Internet in a format easily understood and accessible by the public. (Section 210.205)

This act is similar to SB 161, SB 236, SB 244.

MICHAEL RUFF