To repeal sections 160.514 and 160.526, RSMo 1994, relating to academic standards, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to the same subject.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:

     Section A. Sections 160.514 and 160.526, RSMo 1994, are repealed and two new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 160.514 and 160.526, to read as follows:

     160.514. 1. By rule and regulation, and consistent with the provisions contained in section 160.526, RSMo, the state board of education shall adopt no more than seventy-five academic performance standards which establish the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for students to successfully advance through the public elementary and secondary education system of this state; lead to or qualify a student for high school

graduation; prepare students for postsecondary education or the workplace or both; and are necessary in this era to preserve the rights and liberties of the people.

     2. The state board of education shall convene work groups composed of education professionals to develop and recommend academic performance standards. Separate work groups composed of professionals with appropriate expertise shall be convened for each subject area listed in section 160.518. Active

classroom teachers shall constitute the majority of each work group. Teachers serving on such work groups shall be selected by professional teachers' organizations of the state. Additional teachers who are not members of such organizations may serve by appointment of the state board of education.

     3. The state board of education shall develop written curriculum frameworks that may be used by school districts. Such curriculum frameworks shall incorporate the academic performance standards adopted by the state board of education pursuant to subsection 1 of this section. The curriculum frameworks shall provide guidance to school districts but shall not be mandates for local school boards in the adoption or development of written curricula as required by subsection 4 of this section.

     4. Not later than one year after the development of written curriculum frameworks pursuant to subsection 3 of this section, the board of education of each school district in the state shall adopt or develop a written curriculum designed to ensure that students attain the knowledge, skills and competencies

established pursuant to subsection 1 of this section. Local school boards are encouraged to adopt or develop curricula that are rigorous and ambitious and may, but are not required to, use the curriculum frameworks developed pursuant to subsection 3 of this section. Nothing in this section or this act shall prohibit school districts, as determined by local boards of education, to develop or adopt curricula that provide for academic standards in addition to those identified by the state board of education pursuant to subsection 1 of this section.

     5. Upon completion of the curriculum frameworks developed pursuant to subsections 1 and 3 of this section, such frameworks shall be subject to approval or disapproval by the general assembly by concurrent resolution during the regular session of the general assembly next following such completion and prior to any implementation of such frameworks.

     160.526. 1. In establishing the academic standards

authorized by subsection 1 of section 160.514 and the statewide assessment system authorized by subsection 1 of section 160.518, the state board of education shall consider the work that has been done by other states, recognized regional and national experts, professional education discipline-based associations and other professional education associations. [Further, in

establishing the academic standards and statewide assessment system, the state board of education shall adopt the work that has been done by consortia of other states and, subject to appropriations, may contract with such consortia to implement the provisions of sections 160.514 and 160.518.]

     2. The state board of education [shall,] may by contract enlist the assistance of such national experts, as approved by the commission established pursuant to section 160.510, to receive reports, advice and counsel on a regular basis pertaining to the validity and reliability of the statewide assessment system. The reports from such experts shall be received by the commission, which shall make a final determination concerning the reliability and validity of the statewide assessment system. Within six months prior to implementation of the statewide assessment system, the commissioner of education shall inform the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house about the procedures to implement the assessment system, including a report related to the reliability and validity of the assessment instruments, and the general assembly [may] shall, within the next thirty legislative days, approve or veto such implementation by concurrent resolution adopted by majority vote of both the senate and the house of representatives.

     3. The commissioner of education shall establish a

procedure for the state board of education to regularly receive advice and counsel from professional educators at all levels in the state, district boards of education, parents, representatives from business and industry, and labor and community leaders pertaining to the implementation of sections 160.514 and 160.518. The procedure shall include, at a minimum, the appointment of ad hoc committees and shall be in addition to the advice and counsel obtained from the commission pursuant to section 160.510.