Section 160.560

Title XI EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES

Chapter 160

Effective - 28 Aug 2022   

  160.560.  Diploma program, purpose — requirements — rules. — 1.  The department of elementary and secondary education shall establish the "Show-Me Success Diploma Program".

  2.  Under the show-me success diploma program, the department of elementary and secondary education shall develop the "Show-Me Success Diploma" as an alternative pathway to graduation for high school students that may be earned at any point between the end of a student's tenth grade year and the conclusion of the student's twelfth grade year.

  3.  Before July 1, 2023, the department of elementary and secondary education shall develop detailed requirements for students to become eligible for the show-me success diploma that include at least the following:

  (1)  Demonstrated skills and knowledge in English, science, and mathematical literacy to be successful in college-level courses offered by the community colleges in this state that count toward a degree or certificate without taking remedial or developmental coursework; and

  (2)  Satisfactory grades on approved examinations in subjects determined to be necessary to prepare a student to enter postsecondary education without taking remedial or developmental coursework.

  4.  School districts and charter schools may offer a course of study designed to meet the requirements to obtain a show-me success diploma to students entering the ninth grade.  Students who elect to pursue a show-me success diploma shall participate in a course of study designed by the school district to meet the requirements established under subsection 3 of this section.  The show-me success diploma shall be available to any such student until the end of that student's twelfth grade year.

  5.  Students who earn a show-me success diploma may remain in high school and participate in programs of study available through the school district or charter school until that student would otherwise have graduated at the end of grade twelve.  For purposes of calculation and distribution of state aid, the school district or charter school of a pupil having earned a show-me success diploma who remains enrolled in the school district or charter school shall continue to include the pupil in the pupil enrollment of each such school district or charter school and shall continue to receive funding for a pupil who earns a show-me success diploma until that pupil would otherwise have graduated at the end of grade twelve.  Students who elect to remain in high school under this subsection shall be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities, including interscholastic sports, through the end of grade twelve.

  6.  Students who pursue but do not meet the eligibility requirements for a show-me success diploma at the end of grade ten or eleven shall receive a customized program of assistance during the next school year that addresses areas in which the student demonstrated deficiencies in the course requirements.  Students may choose to return to a traditional academic program without completing the show-me success diploma.

  7.  The department of elementary and secondary education shall provide training, guidance, and assistance to teachers and administrators of the schools offering the show-me success diploma and shall closely monitor the progress of the schools in the development of the program.

  8.  Pupils who earn a show-me success diploma and do not remain enrolled in the district or charter school and instead enroll, or show proof that they will enroll, in a postsecondary educational institution eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the U.S. Department of Education shall be included in the district's or charter school's state aid calculation under section 163.031, until such time that the pupil would have completed the pupil's twelfth grade year had the pupil not earned a show-me success diploma.  The funding assigned to a pupil under this subsection shall be calculated as if the pupil's attendance percentage equaled the district's or charter school's prior year average attendance percentage.  For a pupil who, as provided in this subsection, is included in the district's or charter school's state aid calculation but who is not enrolled in the district or charter school, an amount equal to ninety percent of the pupil's proportionate share of the state, local, and federal aid that the district or charter school receives for the pupil under this subsection shall be deposited into an account established under sections 166.400 to 166.455 that lists the pupil as the beneficiary.  The state treasurer shall provide guidance and assist school districts, charter schools, pupils, and parents or guardians of pupils with the creation, maintenance, and use of an account that has been established under sections 166.400 to 166.455.

  9.  The department of elementary and secondary education shall promulgate all necessary rules and regulations for the administration 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 August 28, 2022, shall be invalid and void.

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(L. 2022 S.B. 681 & 662)