MO Rev Stat § 170.018 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title XI - Education and Libraries|Chapter 170 - Instruction — Materials and Subjects|Section 170.018 - Computer science, academic credit for math, science, or practical arts — work group — endorsement on teacher certificate — fund, grants — rulemaking authority.

Effective - 18 Dec 2018   170.018. Computer science, academic credit for math, science, or practical arts — work group — endorsement on teacher certificate — fund, grants — rulemaking authority. — 1. (1) For purposes of this section, "computer science course" means a course in which students study computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, hardware and software designs, implementation, and impact on society.  (2) The department of elementary and secondary education shall, before July 1, 2019, develop a high school graduation policy that allows a student to fulfill one unit of academic credit with a district-approved computer science course meeting the standards of subsection 2 of this section for any mathematics, science, or practical arts unit required for high school graduation. The policy shall require that all students have either taken all courses that require end-of-course examinations for math and science or are on track to take all courses that require end-of-course examinations for math and science under the Missouri school improvement program in order to receive credit toward high school graduation under this subsection.  (3) A school district shall communicate to students electing to use a computer science course for a mathematics unit that some institutions of higher education may require four units of academic credit in mathematics for college admission. The parent, guardian, or legal custodian of each student who chooses to take a computer science course to fulfill a unit of academic credit in mathematics shall sign and submit to the school district a document containing a statement acknowledging that taking a computer science course to fulfill a unit of academic credit in mathematics may have an adverse effect on college admission decisions.  (4) The department of elementary and secondary education and the department of higher education and workforce development shall cooperate in developing and implementing academic requirements for computer science courses offered in any grade or grades not lower than the ninth nor higher than the twelfth grade.  2. (1) The department of elementary and secondary education shall convene a work group to develop and recommend rigorous academic performance standards relating to computer science for students in kindergarten and in each grade not higher than the twelfth grade. The work group shall include, but not be limited to, educators providing instruction in kindergarten or in any grade not higher than the twelfth grade and representatives from the department of elementary and secondary education, the department of higher education and workforce development, business and industry, and institutions of higher education. The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop written curriculum frameworks relating to computer science that may be used by school districts. The requirements of section 160.514 shall not apply to this section.  (2) The state board of education shall adopt and implement academic performance standards relating to computer science beginning in the 2019-20 school year.  3. Before July 1, 2019, the department of elementary and secondary education shall develop a procedure by which any teacher who holds a certificate of license to teach under section 168.021 and demonstrates sufficient content knowledge of computer science shall receive a special endorsement on his or her license signifying his or her specialized knowledge in computer science.  4. (1) For purposes of this subsection, "eligible entity" means:  (a) A local educational agency, or a consortium of local educational agencies, in the state, including charter schools that have declared themselves local educational agencies;  (b) An institution of higher education in the state; or  (c) A nonprofit or private provider of nationally recognized and high-quality computer science professional development, as determined by the department of elementary and secondary education.  (2) There is hereby created in the state treasury the "Computer Science Education Fund". The fund shall consist of all moneys that may be appropriated to it by the general assembly and any gifts, contributions, grants, or bequests received from private or other sources for the purpose of providing teacher professional development programs relating to computer science. The state treasurer shall be custodian of the fund. In accordance with sections 30.170 and 30.180, the state treasurer may approve disbursements. The fund shall be a dedicated fund and, upon appropriation, moneys in the fund shall be used solely for the administration of grants to eligible entities as described in this section. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 33.080 to the contrary, any moneys remaining in the fund at the end of the biennium shall not revert to the credit of the general revenue fund. The state treasurer shall invest moneys in the fund in the same manner as other funds are invested. Any interest and moneys earned on such investments shall be credited to the fund.  (3) The state board of education shall award grants from the computer science education fund to eligible entities for the purpose of providing teacher professional development programs relating to computer science. An eligible entity wishing to receive such a grant shall submit an application to the department of elementary and secondary education addressing how the entity plans to:  (a) Reach new and existing teachers with little computer science background;  (b) Use effective practices for professional development;  (c) Focus the training on the conceptual foundations of computer science;  (d) Reach and support historically underrepresented students in computer science;  (e) Provide teachers with concrete experience with hands-on, inquiry-based practices; and  (f) Accommodate the particular needs of students and teachers in each district and school.  5. The department of elementary and secondary education shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable, and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after December 18, 2018, shall be invalid and void. ­­-------- (L. 2018 1st Ex. Sess. H.B. 3)  Effective 12-18-18