SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 668
91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR BENTLEY.
Pre-filed December 1, 2001, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
2647S.01I
AN ACT
To amend chapter 160, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the department of elementary and secondary education.
Section A. Chapter 160, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 160.560, to read as follows:
160.560. 1. The provisions of this section shall be known and may be cited as the "Mastering Math Program".
2. Beginning July 1, 2003, the department of elementary and secondary education shall provide four-year, competitive matching grants to assist public school districts:
(1) In integration of algebraic and pre-algebraic concepts throughout the district's elementary school, middle school and junior high school curriculum; and
(2) With the establishment or enhancement of middle school or junior high school programs providing a curriculum that focuses on algebra to be offered no later than the ninth grade in the school's curriculum.
3. Grant applications may be submitted on behalf of a school building, a combination of school buildings or for all schools in the district.
4. Grant applications shall include, but shall not be limited to:
(1) A description of the school's current mathematics program, which shall, at a minimum, specifically address the focus on algebra or pre-algebra concepts in the curriculum;
(2) An evaluation of the areas of needed instructional improvement or enhancement;
(3) A description of the process of instructional improvement, including a statement regarding parental involvement in program implementation; and
(4) A description of the method for evaluating student progress, which shall, at a minimum, include stated goals for improvement in student performance.
5. Continued funding to a grantee after the second year of the grant shall be based upon improvement in student performance on the eighth grade mathematics portion of the state-wide assessment established pursuant to section 160.518.
6. Upon the conclusion of the grant and based on improvement in student performance on the mathematics portion of the state-wide assessment established pursuant to section 160.518 during the period of the grant, the department of elementary and secondary education may reimburse the grantee for its local match under the grant, with such reimbursement funds to be placed to the credit of the school district's operating funds.
7. The department of elementary and secondary education shall establish standards by rule promulgated pursuant to chapter 536, RSMo, for improvement of student performance relating to continued grant funding and refund of matching funds pursuant to this section.
8. Grants shall be distributed in equal amounts within geographic areas established proportionately based upon student population; provided that funds may be reallocated by the department of elementary and secondary education if an area has insufficient applications or insufficient eligible applications to obligate all funds for the area.