Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri SB1600: Requires school districts to screen all students at least once before third grade for the purpose of identifying gifted students
Status: In committee, February 5, 2026
SB 1600 - Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, this act requires school districts to conduct universal screenings of all students at least once before 3rd grade for the purpose of identifying gifted students. These screenings shall use valid, reliable, and current testing methods; provide a body of evidence from at least two distinct areas such as general mental ability, academic achievement, creativity, reasoning, problem solving, or various forms of referral; and be reviewed by personnel trained in gifted education or assessment. A child's failure to satisfy the gifted criteria of a single assessment shall not preclude further evaluation or consideration. Additionally, beginning in the 2026-27 school year, each school district shall adopt a board-approved policy that establishes procedures for universal screening of students for gifted program selection and that notifies parents of the screening process annually. A school district's criteria for identifying gifted students shall be guided by recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Education of Gifted and Talented Children established in current law. This act is identical to HCS/HB 1757 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON
What the bill says
From the introduced text:
SECOND REGULAR SESSION SENATE BILL NO. 1600 103RD GENERA L ASSEMBLY INTRODUCED BY SENATOR NURRENBERN. 6926S.01I KRISTINA MARTIN, Secretary To repeal section 162.720, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to testing of gifted students. Section A. Section 162.720, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 162.720, to read as follows: 162.720. 1. (1) This subdivision shall apply to all school years ending before July 1, 2024. Where a sufficient number of children are identified as gifted and their development requires programs or services beyond the level of those ordinarily provided in regular public school programs, districts may establish special programs for such gifted children. (2) For school year 2024-25 and all subsequent school years, if three percent or more of students enrolled in a school district are identified as gifted and their development requires programs or services beyond the level of those ordinarily provided in regular public school programs, the district shall establish a state-approved gifted program for gifted children. 2. For school year 2024-25 and all subsequent school years, any teacher providing gifted services to students in districts with an average daily attendance of more than EXPLANATION-Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in this bill is not enacted and is intended to be omitted in …