Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri SB1442: Modifies provisions relating to literacy of elementary school students
Status: In committee, May 15, 2026
SS/SCS/SB 1442 - This act modifies provisions relating to literacy of elementary school students. EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS (Section 161.097) The act requires educator preparation programs to instruct teacher candidates on the selection and use of "high-quality" reading curricula and instructional materials that do not include the three-cueing system, as such term is defined in current law, as a primary instructional strategy. The act prohibits educator preparation programs from including instruction in, or endorsement of, the three-cueing system as an instructional strategy for decoding. Beginning July 1, 2027, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall annually review and publicly report on the compliance of educator preparation programs with literacy and reading instruction requirements of current law and those established in the act. The review shall evaluate whether instruction is grounded in the components of evidence-based reading instruction and whether prohibited practices, such as the three-cueing system, are excluded from coursework. Educator preparation programs not in compliance with these requirements shall not be approved to certify new teachers. STATE AID FOR READING INSTRUCTION (Section 161.241) The act provides that the current Evidence-Based Reading Instruction Program Fund may be used for initiatives that provide training and materials to teachers regarding structured literacy and dyslexia-informed practices. Such fund may also be used for reading tutoring programs inside regular school hours, rather than only outside regular school hours. IDENTIFICATION OF READING DEFICIENCIES (Sections 167.268, 167.340, and 167.645) The act requires school districts and charter schools to provide suggestions for parent-guided home reading to all parents of students identified as having a reading deficiency, in addition to parents of students with a substantial reading deficiency. (Section 167.268) The ac
What the bill says
From the introduced text:
SECOND REGULAR SESSION SENATE BILL NO. 1442 103RD GENERA L ASSEMBLY INTRODUCED BY SENATOR HUDSON. 6063S.01I KRISTINA MARTIN, Secretary To repeal sections 161.097, 161.241, 167.268, 167.340, 167.645, 170.014, and 186.080, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof six new sections relating to literacy of elementary school students. Section A. Sections 161.097, 161.241, 167.268, 167.340, 167.645, 170.014, and 186.080, RSMo, are repealed and six new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 161.097, 161.241, 167.268, 167.340, 167.645, and 170.014, to read as follows: 161.097. 1. The state board of education shall establish standards and procedures by which it will evaluate all teacher training institutions in this state for the approval of teacher education programs. The state board of education shall not require teacher training institutions to meet national or regional accreditation as a part of its standards and procedures in making those evaluations, but it may accept such accreditations in lieu of such approval if standards and procedures set thereby are at least as stringent as those set by the board. The state board of education's standards and procedures for evaluating teacher training institutions shall equal or exceed those of national or regional accrediting associations. EXPLANATION-Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in this bill is not enacted and is intended to be omitted in the law. SB 1442 …