SCS/SBs 42 & 108 - This act contains several provisions relating to public education.

HUNTER EDUCATION - This portion of the act authorizes any school district to adopt a policy to allow employees of the Missouri Department of Conservation to conduct hunter education classes on school property, not during school hours, and to allow such employees to carry unloaded firearms on school property for the purpose of conducting those hunter education classes. (Section 160.261)

GRANTS FOR MATH INSTRUCTION - This act establishes a four year, competitive grant program to school districts for improving math curriculum and instruction up to grade 9.

Applications may be made for grant funding for individual schools, a combination of schools or an entire school district. The act specifies certain elements which must be included in any application, including a process of instructional improvement and stated goals for improving student performance. Funding beyond the second year shall be based upon improvement in student performance on the 8th grade mathematics assessment.

Upon conclusion of the grant, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may reimburse the local match, based upon improvement in student performance. The Department shall establish standards for student performance improvement needed for continued grant funding and reimbursement of local match.

Funds shall be distributed in equal amounts within geographic areas based proportionately on student population, but may be reallocated from an area if there are not sufficient applications. (Section 160.560)

This portion of the act is similar to SB 97 (2001).

YOUTH-AT-RISK COMMITTEE - Kansas City School District is authorized to create after school and summer educational programs in the subjects of art, science and mathematics for at-risk youth. (Section 167.271)

This portion of the act has an emergency clause and is similar to SB 153 (2001).

MISSOURI ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE ACADEMY - This act establishes the summer program that will be known as the Missouri Engineering and Science Academy for high school students with high ability and interest in math and science. The Academy curriculum will be developed by faculty of the University of Missouri - Rolla (UMR), and the program will be managed and funded through UMR.

The act establishes a science summer program at UMR for in- service science teachers to enhance their understanding of the impact of natural resource development and land use changes in Missouri. The act specifies program goals. The program will be taught, managed and funded by UMR. Participation in the program can be included in a teacher's Career Ladder development plan, if approved by the school board. (Section 172.880)

This portion is similar to SB 108 (2001).

INTERNET AT SCHOOL OR PUBLIC LIBRARIES - This act requires public schools that provide access to the Internet to either use filtering software, or to purchase Internet service through a provider that filters the material that can be accessed. A public library may either use filtering software or otherwise restrict minors' access to the Internet by local rule.

Any school official who neglects or refuses to comply with these legal duties shall be subject to the same criminal penalty provided in Section 162.091, RSMo (a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not more than $500 or up to one year in jail). Any public school employee or public library employee or Internet service provider who complies with the law shall not be liable if a minor gains access to pornographic material through the use of the school's computer. (Section 182.825)

This portion is similar to SB 42 (2001).

PROGRAMS PROVIDING CHILD CARE - This act exempts child care programs being held on elementary and secondary public school property from complying with the safety, health and fire provisions of Chapter 210, RSMo.

MOREnet CONSORTIUM - Private education institutions are authorized to participate in the MOREnet consortium, provided that the institutions reimburse MOREnet for costs incurred and comply with general operational guidelines of MOREnet.
JULIA SOMMER GRUS