Public Education

If the policy amendment passes, "hate speech, false science, and false historical claims” would be allowed in educational materials — but books would still be banned for containing drug use, descriptions of crime and sexual conduct.

The Francis Howell School Board approved new curricula for its Black history and literature classes Thursday. It comes after the board voted to pull the classes last December, objecting to Southern Poverty Law Center social justice standards in the courses.

The Francis Howell School Board plans to vote this month on the new curricula for its Black history and literature courses the district threatened to pull unless social justice standards from the Southern Poverty Law Center were removed. Some parents say while the changes aren’t bad, they’re worried the board won't approve them.

The legislation, which has passed the Missouri House and died in the Senate the past few years, would allow public school students to enroll in a participating school district that they do not reside in.

Missouri public schools enroll thousands of fewer students compared to before the pandemic, in part, because of a homeschooling boom and declining birth rates.

The legislation, which passed the House last year but died in the Senate, would allow students to transfer to a new school district beyond the one they reside in.

Over 100 educators heard from Gov. Mike Parson and state lawmakers at the Capitol on Tuesday.

The legislation makes several changes regarding K-12 education, including the creation of a portal that contains every school district’s curriculum and other information. It also would prohibit the teaching of critical race theory and other diversity-related concepts.

About 1 in 3 female students surveyed at a St. Louis County public high school reported they had missed school because they couldn’t afford to buy tampons or pads, often at least one day per month.

Former educators said they have never encountered the teaching of critical race theory in their classes.