Senate Education Committee Considers Sen. Arthur’s Show Me Success Diploma Program Legislation
On Jan. 26, the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Shelbina), heard public testimony on SB 34, introduced by Sen. Lauren Arthur (D-Kansas City). This legislation would offer an expedited degree process for high school students called the Show Me Success Diploma Program. Students can graduate with this diploma if they demonstrate skills necessary to excel in math, English, and science after high school. Students can earn this diploma as early as the end of their tenth grade year.
“Because students are being assessed based on proficiency, we know that they will be academically prepared for life after graduation. This means they won’t need remediation in college and/or their future employers can have confidence that they’re competent in those core areas,” said Sen. Arthur during her opening statement before the committee.
If a student is struggling with the program at the end of their tenth grade year, their school will be required to create a customized learning plan for that student. If a student completes the program, graduates early, and continues onto a postsecondary experience, 90 percent of the funds the school would receive for the student’s attendance will be deposited into a 529 account. That money can go towards that student’s postsecondary pursuits.
“This is one way that we can introduce more innovation and options in our school systems; it prepares students for the workforce, and potentially allows them to enter that workforce ahead of schedule leading to increased earnings,” said Sen. Arthur during her closing statement.
There were no testimonies for or against the legislation.
MDHEWD and Public Colleges and Universities Appear Before House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
On Jan. 26, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, chaired by Rep. Rusty Black (R- Chillicothe) heard testimony from the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD). During the hearing, Commissioner Zora Mulligan and Deputy Commissioner Leroy Wade shared information about MDHEWD and higher education institutions’ COVID-19 efforts, uses of federal relief funds, and requests for the FY 21 supplemental and FY 22 budgets. As part of the presentation, the department highlighted the significant work performed by department staff and institutions during the unprecedented time in Missouri’s history.
Following the department, public universities, State Tech, and MCCA shared their priority items for FY 22. A consistent theme among the institutions was the need for consistent financial support, including restoration of core funding. Also mentioned during the hearing was a desire to temporarily relax the tuition restrictions associated with the Higher Education Student Funding Act, commonly referred to as SB 389.
Most questions posed by lawmakers on the subcommittee focused on institution tuition rates, both for in-state and out-of-state students, and demographic breakdowns of students attending the institutions and/or using Missouri’s financial aid programs.
The department is tentatively scheduled to present the Governor’s recommended budget before the full House Budget Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 17.
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Governor Parson delivers State of the State address and Releases FY 22 Budget Recommendations
Gov. Mike Parson delivered the State of the State address on Jan. 27. During the address, the Governor highlighted his continued focus on workforce development and infrastructure, the administration’s recent successes, and Missouri’s statewide effort to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of the State of the State, the Governor provided an overview of his FY 22 budget proposal which would deliver critical funding for higher education and workforce initiatives while investing in the state’s economic future. This includes restoring core funding for all public colleges and universities—including a fund switch of one-time Federal Budget Stabilization Funds (FMAP) back to General Revenue for public universities and State Tech—and recommending $21.8 million for workforce initiative projects to support local workforce training needs through the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development’s MoExcels grant program.
The executive budget can be found here. Overall, the Governor recommended a total of $1.35 billion for higher education and workforce development.
Highlights for Higher Education:
- Restoration of core funding for all public colleges and universities. For public universities and State Tech, this is a fund swap of $67.5 million and $550,000 respectively to switch from FMAP to General Revenue; for community colleges, this is a continuation of this year’s GR funding
- $21.8 million for MoExcels
- $250,000 to allow five additional community colleges to offer AAS degrees in behavior health support
- $3 million for MU Precision Health to provide students with classroom, lab, and clinical training in nuclear medicine technology
Highlights for Workforce Development:
- $750,000 for WorkKeys assessments
- $85,500 to cover ongoing licensing costs to expand Career Ready 101 to all high school career and tech centers; Career Ready 101 helps students explore careers, master work readiness skills, and prepare for successful job searches
Recommended Increases in State Financial Aid Programs:
- $3.9 million for Bright Flight
- $2.5 million over FY 21 funding for Access Missouri
- $13.2 million for the A+ Scholarship Program
- $2.7 million for Fast Track
- $4,000 for the Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program
- $10,000 for the Veteran’s Survivors Grant Program
House Higher Education Committee Hold First Meeting Next Week
On Monday, Feb. 1, the House Higher Education Committee, chaired by Rep. Brenda Shield (R-St. Joseph), will meet to consider two pieces of legislation, one submitted by Rep. Ben Baker (R-Neosho) HB 355, the other by Rep. Chuck Basye’s (R-Rocheport) HB 233. Both bills would require the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development and institutions of higher education to collect and provide specified information related to costs and outcomes and establish an “Informed Student Document.” The hearing is set for noon and can be streamed here.
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