Bill > HB2534

This bill requires teacher education programs and practicing teachers in Missouri to receive specialized training in social and emotional learning (SEL) and social work in education. Specifically, the bill mandates that teacher education programs include at least three credit hours in social and emotional learning courses and three credit hours in social work when receiving state aid. For practicing teachers, starting in the 2027-28 school year, local school districts must provide in-service training of at least three hours on SEL and three hours on social work in education. All teachers, principals, and licensed educators will be required to attend these trainings or complete self-review of related materials each school year. The bill also expands the Missouri Advisory Board for Educator Preparation (MABEP)'s role in overseeing these new educational requirements. Additionally, the bill requires that the state's online training program for substitute teachers, which is currently 20 hours long, must now include at least three credit hours in social and emotional learning and three credit hours in social work in education. These provisions aim to enhance educators' understanding of students' social, emotional, and psychological needs, potentially improving classroom dynamics and student support.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2534&year=2026&code=R