Bill > HB267

This bill modifies regulations for public school teachers in Missouri, focusing on two key areas: teacher externships and substitute teacher certification. For teacher externships, the bill requires the departments of economic development and elementary and secondary education to develop guidelines for externships that can be considered equivalent to graduate-level course credits for salary purposes. Schools would be required to compensate teachers who complete certified externships at a rate equivalent to graduate course credits. Regarding substitute teaching, the bill expands certification options by allowing individuals with at least 36 college semester hours or completion of a 20-hour online training program to obtain a substitute teaching certificate. The bill also creates more flexible pathways for substitute certification, including provisions for retired educators and professionals with technical or military expertise to substitute teach. Additionally, the bill extends the period during which retired educators can work as substitute teachers without losing retirement benefits, changing the sunset date from 2025 to 2030. The legislation aims to address teacher workforce needs by providing more opportunities for professional development and substitute teaching while maintaining background check and qualification standards.

Education, Government Affairs

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB267&year=2025&code=R