Two weeks ago, legislation to raise teacher pay and increase investments in kids and classrooms operating a traditional five-day school week was approved in committee with bipartisan support.
Right now, Missouri has the lowest paid teachers in America. As a result, our state is experiencing a teacher shortage crisis with nearly one out of every 10 courses being taught by a non-certified instructor. This is an increase of about 2,000 non-certified people hired as teachers since just last year. When about 10 percent of our classes are being taught by someone other than a certified teacher, it will be incredibly difficult for our students to reach their full potential. My legislation will provide an additional $128 million each year to help raise teacher pay and recruit qualified educators in every classroom.
Meanwhile, as you may have seen in the news, Missouri now has a record number of school districts that have abandoned a traditional five-day school week and cut their week down to just four days. New research has shown these shorter school weeks do not improve student achievement, and in some cases may actually decrease student success.
At a time when Missouri students’ math and reading scores have dropped significantly compared to before the pandemic – anything that simply maintains the status quo or even harms students’ learning should be a nonstarter.
Because Missouri schools receive a majority of their funding from local sources, I believe local taxpayers who fund these schools should have a say in how long they are open.
My legislation would also require non-rural school districts to hold a vote of the people before moving to a shorter school week. Voters know four-day school weeks are bad for kids and hard on parents, and my legislation will make sure these voters’ voices are heard.
MO. SEN. DOUG BECK
(D-1st District)
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