SB 426 - This act creates the Math and Science Tutoring Act which establishes a pilot program for the establishment and support of nonprofit math and science tutoring centers serving students in any St. Louis City public school whose school wide average assessment scores are less than fifty percent proficient.Master teachers will staff the program and train the volunteer tutors to provide services that complement the student's school assignments. The center must provide transportation for the student's return trip after a tutoring session.
The Mathematics and Science Tutoring Center Fund is created which is to consist of $300,000 appropriated by the General Assembly to start up the center. The Workforce Development Division within the Department of Economic Development shall develop an application process to certify approved math and science tutoring centers for distribution of the appropriated funds. Beginning January 1, 2014, any business in the state engaged in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics occupation may make a donation to a center and retain half of the amount from its withholding tax. The Department of Revenue must develop a form to accompany the tax return of any business that retains withholding taxes under this act.
The provisions of this act shall expire six years after the effective date.
This act is substantially similar to HB 1466 (2012).
JIM ERTLE