P-20 COUNCIL: This act allows the Governor to establish the "P-20 Council" as a private-not-for profit corporation on behalf of the state. The purpose of the P-20 Council will be to create a more efficient and effective education system to more adequately prepare students for entering the workforce and will be reflected in the articles of incorporation and bylaws.

The Council's board of directors will consist of thirteen members, including the Director of the Department of Economic Development, the Commissioner of Higher Education, the Chairperson of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the President of the State Board of Education, the Chairperson of the Coordinating Board of Early Childhood, and the Commissioner of Education as well as seven members appointed by the Governor as described in the act.

The Council may receive and borrow money, enter into contracts, and spend money for activities appropriate to its purpose. Duties of the Council may include: studying the potential for a state-coordinated economic and educational policy; determining where obstacles make state support of certain programs difficult; creating programs; and exploring ways to better align academic content. The Council must submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly containing information about its operations.

Any debts incurred by the Council will not be considered debt of the state. The Council is subject to an annual audit by the State Auditor and must pay for the cost.

This act allows the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Department of Higher Education to contract with the Council for activities described in the act.

This act repeals the statute requiring the Commissioner of Higher Education, the Chair of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the Commissioner of Education, the President of the State Board of Education, and the Director of the Department of Economic Development to meet and discuss ways to create a more efficient and effective education system.

GIFTED CHILDREN: School districts must identify students who are academically gifted. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must develop a list of identification criteria for school districts to follow, with an emphasis on early identification. School districts may establish appropriate programs or services for academically gifted students who require programs or services beyond what is provided in the regular public school program. The State Board of Education will develop standards for such programs or services, which will be approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Each school district must report annually to the Department on the programs or services provided to academically gifted students.

SPECIAL EDUCATION DUE PROCESS HEARINGS: This act provides local school boards the authority to identify a designee to bind the school district in a settlement agreement reached during the resolution session of a special education due process hearing.

Current law requires a five business day notice for the introduction of evidence at a special education due process hearing, with the exception of an expedited hearing. This act removes the exception for expedited hearings and applies the five-day notice period to expedited hearings as well.

This act will bring Missouri into compliance with the federal regulations implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

This act contains provisions identical to SCS/SBs 1225 & 1226, SB 1221 (2008) and contains provisions similar to HB 1745 (2008), HB 265 (2007), HB 267 (2007), SB 140 (2007), and SB 148 (2007).

MICHAEL RUFF

SA 2: THE DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION MUST RECALCULATE STATE SCHOOL AID FOR THE RIVERVIEW GARDENS SCHOOL DISTRICT TO CORRECT AN ERROR BY THE DISTRICT IN PLACING FUNDS RECEIVED BY THE STATE FOR SCHOOL AID FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 IN THE INCIDENTAL FUND, RATHER THAN THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND.

SA 3: THIS AMENDMENT ALLOWS SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MAINTAIN PERMANENT RECORDS IN A DIGITAL OR ELECTRONIC FORMAT. SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER'S GUIDELINES, SUGGESTIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN USING DIGITAL OR ELECTRONIC STORAGE MEDIA AND MUST NOT USE THEM BEYOND THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED OR RECOMMENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

SA 4: THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES MUST WORK TO INCREASE INFLUENZA VACCINATION AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN AGED SIX MONTHS TO FIVE YEARS IN CHILD CARE FACILITIES.

SA 5: ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY PROVIDES FALSE INFORMATION TO AN EMPLOYEE OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF MISSOURI OR THE PUBLIC EDUCATION EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF MISSOURI FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING RETIREMENT BENEFITS CONTRARY TO LAW WILL BE GUILTY OF A CLASS D FELONY.

SA 6: THIS AMENDMENT ESTABLISHES THE FOSTER CARE EDUCATION BILL OF RIGHTS. IT ALSO REQUIRES THAT A CHILD IN FOSTER CARE OR A RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY RECEIVE A FULL SCHOOL DAY OF EDUCATION, WHICH IS DEFINED AS SIX HOURS UNDER THE GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION OF TEACHERS IN THE EDUCATION PROCESS, UNLESS OTHERWISE DETERMINED.

SA 8: EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT MUST PROVIDE AGE-APPROPRIATE INSTRUCTION FOR ALL STUDENTS IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELVE REGARDING APPROPRIATE INTERNET USAGE. INSTRUCTION MUST INCLUDE, WHEN AGE APPROPRIATE, HOW TO PROTECT INFORMATION, THE SAFE USE OF EMAIL AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION, THE DANGERS OF ONLINE PREDATORS AND CYBERHARASSMENT, AND HOW TO BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY WHEN USING THE INTERNET. THE DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION MUST PROPOSE MODEL CURRICULUM FOR EDUCATING CHILDREN ON CHILD ONLINE SAFETY.