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Missouri attorney general opposes proposed federal rule supporting LGBTQ foster kids
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey this week joined with 18 other states to oppose a proposed federal rule that aims to protect LGBTQ youth in foster care and provide them with necessary services. The attorneys general argue in a letter to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services that the proposed rule — which […]
Funding lag creates barrier for Missouri private school tax credit program
When students returned to classrooms around Missouri in August, only 601 had secured a scholarship through the MOScholars program as a returning recipient — half as many as were in the program in May. There were also 247 first-time participants. Three months into the school year, MOScholars has ballooned to 829 returning students and 675 […]
Transgender minors sue University of Missouri for refusing puberty blockers, hormones
Two transgender boys filed a federal lawsuit Thursday seeking to reverse the University of Missouri’s decision to stop providing gender-affirming care to minors. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, alleges halting transgender minors’ prescriptions unconstitutionally discriminates on the basis of sex and disability status. University of Missouri […]
Missouri treasurer refuses Morningstar data request, accusing company of anti-Israel bias
Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek is refusing to turn over information about a state-sponsored education savings plan to an investment company he accuses of having questionable ties to China and an anti-Israel bias. Malek expressed his concerns about Morningstar in a letter to the company refusing its request for information about MOST 529, the Missouri-sponsored […]
Missouri education leaders say social-emotional learning guidelines an ‘ongoing discussion’
Missouri education leaders knew establishing social-emotional learning guidelines for public schools would draw controversy, with some celebrating the idea and others decrying it as government overreach. So when the Missouri State Board of Education decided earlier this month to change course and pursue social-emotional learning as an optional framework instead of a statewide standard, the […]
Missouri education board returns St. Louis-area school districts to local control
Two St. Louis-area school districts will return to full local governance after years of state education officials overseeing their boards. The Missouri State Board of Education decided Tuesday that Riverview Gardens School District and Normandy Schools Collaborative had shown enough progress to return to traditional school-board elections. The state currently has appointed board members at […]
Missouri Board of Education seeks to clarify social-emotional learning
Missouri’s proposed social-emotional-learning standards are being refined to focus on student behavior after the State Board of Education reviewed over 1,800 public comments on the program. Some board members referred to the current draft as a “beginning,” and the board decided not to vote on passing the standards during its meeting Tuesday. The public was […]
Missouri commissioner of education announces resignation
Missouri Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven announced on Tuesday that she plans to resign at the end of June. After making her announcement during the State Board of Education meeting, Vandeven told reporters it was “the right time to move on personally and professionally to a new opportunity [she] hasn’t discovered yet.” Her resignation caps […]
Missouri education board set to discuss social-emotional learning standards
Missouri’s board of education will decide Tuesday whether to implement social emotional learning standards for K-12 students. But though board members praised the potential guidelines during an August meeting as teaching “the basics of what it means to be human,” the proposal has also inspired plenty of negative feedback among the 1,800 public comments submitted […]
Missouri lawmakers push for study of Lincoln University funding inequity
In 1890, Missouri had a choice: Allow Black students to attend the University of Missouri, its 1862 land-grant university, or open a second college for Black students with a federal grant. So, Lincoln University in Jefferson City received the designation — and years of separate and unequal treatment from the state began. Federal officials estimate […]
Missouri Capitol renovation plan mentions accessibility. Does this include reporters?
A common anecdote used by disability activists is that the Roman Colosseum is wheelchair accessible. Translation: Historic buildings have no excuse. But Missouri’s Capitol has long had a myriad of stairways that create a maze for anyone utilizing a wheelchair. I’ve seen parents struggle lifting a stroller over a small set of stairs above the […]
As Missouri providers halt transgender care for minors, some feel duped by legislative deal
Harry Castilow said his family did “all the things you’re supposed to do” when his teenage son Jay came out as transgender. Jay began his social transition in 2021 when he was 15, choosing his name and living as a teenage boy. He went to therapy throughout that first year and got appointments with a […]