|
Missouri K-12 funding talks enter crucial phase
The School Funding Modernization Task Force reached the midpoint of its working group process. The four groups — each focused on a different component of the foundation formula — are now in discussion about potential changes that could shape a final recommendation for the future of how the state funds public education.
Led by former Deputy Commissioner of Financial & Administrative Services Kari Monsees, the groups will present draft recommendations to the full task force in December, with final full funding formula proposals due to Governor Mike Kehoe by December 2026.
What the working groups are considering
The student count group has the highest degree of consensus for potential changes to the formula. Members increasingly agree on fully utilizing enrollment-based funding following the passage of S.B. 727 in 2024, which will gradually shift funding based on a hybrid of attendance and enrollment by 2029.
Members of the student count group also explored eliminating “funding cliffs” by applying student weights for all qualifying students, not just those above a set threshold. What’s more, they discussed testing a multi-tiered special education weighting system tied to service intensity.
By contrast, the funding targets group is confronting a big task with a less-than-clear path forward. The group is examining adjustments to the state adequacy target (SAT), the legal definition for the minimum amount of funding per student for an adequate education.
For reference, most other states simply determine a base amount of funding per student in law; Missouri uses an opaque calculation based on spending from 10 “performance districts” to determine the SAT.
One idea floated was to alter the current model to use the top 100 scoring districts based on the state’s accountability framework, find their average expenditures, and divide based on weighted membership of certain student populations. This approach would make the measure more stable and reflective of student need, though preliminary modeling suggests it could raise the target to roughly $10,367 per student.
Monsees noted that such an increase would likely be offset by recalculating the local contribution districts are expected to make, but by how much remains the key question.
The local effort group is grappling with how to better account for district wealth. Members agreed that the current system’s reliance on property valuations from 2004 is outdated and distorts equity across communities. The group has discussed incorporating multiple factors — beyond property tax data — to more accurately reflect local revenue capacity and to ensure that wealthier districts contribute appropriately.
Finally, the performance incentive group is still early in its work but has discussed tying small bonuses to student literacy and math outcomes, particularly in grades three and eight, like what Tennessee has enacted.
Aligned’s Take: These discussions reflect several of the suggestions that Bellwether and Aligned made to the full task force earlier this year. Overall, we would like to see a proposal that emphasizes the following:
- A base amount of funding that is more transparent and consistent;
- The use of enrollment instead of attendance, with additional funding for English language learners and low-income students without thresholds;
- A multi-tiered system for special education funding; and,
- An update to the property values used to determine local effort.
Missouri report calls for expanded career technical education
A new statewide report recommends a series of steps to modernize Missouri’s career and technical education (CTE) system — from expanding career exploration in early grades to strengthening partnerships between schools and employers.
The recommendations come from a work group of K-12, higher education, and business leaders convened under Executive Order 25-16, issued by Governor Mike Kehoe in January 2025. The Governor charged the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development with reviewing the state’s CTE system and proposing improvements.
The Governor’s Workforce of the Future Challenge Report outlines three major priority areas:
1. Strengthen work-based learning and employer engagement.
The report calls for a statewide work-based learning innovation grant, new incentives for registered apprenticeships, and a central online toolkit to connect schools and employers.
These initiatives aim to expand internships, apprenticeships, and job-shadowing opportunities, particularly in rural and high-need areas.
2. Expand early career exploration and advising systems.
The work group recommends converting DESE’s nine part-time regional career advisors for grades 5–12 into full-time roles and hiring nine additional full-time advisors for grades K–4 — a combined $1.5 million annual investment.
Other proposals include a digital K–12 career exploration toolkit, enhanced school counseling capacity, and a state-level K–8 CTE director to support implementation.
3. Launch a statewide CTE awareness campaign.
The plan envisions a sustained effort to promote CTE as a pathway to high-wage careers, using student success stories, employer testimonials, and data on workforce demand.
Public input gathered through a statewide survey of 5,650 Missourians underscored strong support for these ideas — over 90% viewed CTE positively and cited the need for better advising, early exposure, and stronger school-employer partnerships.
If adopted, these proposals could represent the most comprehensive update to Missouri’s CTE system in more than a decade, aligning career preparation with the state’s long-term workforce needs.
In other news
| 
