Section 170.307, RSMo requires LEAs to provide mental health awareness training in Missouri schools. This training must be provided as part of the districts health and/or physical education curriculum.

Students graduating in the 2022-23 school year, and each year after must receive a minimum of two hours of mental health awareness training that aligns with DESE’s Social-Emotional Learning Standards and the requirements of 5 CSR 20-200.275 Mental Health Awareness Training. Mental health awareness training must include the following domains:

• Defining Mental Health
• Identifying Strategies for Achieving and Maintaining Sound Mental Wellness
• Decreasing the Stigma of Mental Health Concerns
• Recognizing How to Connect to Services When Needed

Mental Health Awareness Curriculum

Prevention of Sexual Abuse

Pursuant to Section 170.045, RSMo, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) developed a guidance document regarding sexual abuse training in consultation with the Missouri Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children. This document may be used to help districts choose programs and resources meet the requirements of Section 170.045, RSMo.

The Guidance Document and Webinar series can be found at the Health and Physical Education Webpage under the "Sexual Health" title. 

Online Learning Education Plans

Pursuant to Section 161.670, RSMo, "The Missouri course access and virtual school program shall ensure that individual learning plans designed by certified teachers and professional staff are developed for all students enrolled in more than two full-time course access program courses or a full-time virtual school."

Contact Information for Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP) can be found at this link: https://mocap.mo.gov/contact-us.html 

Computer Science Legislation 

The department of elementary and secondary education shall, before July 1, 5 2019, develop a high school graduation policy that allows a student to fulfill one unit of academic credit with a district-approved computer science course meeting the standards of subsection 2 of this section for any mathematics, science, or practical arts unit required for high school graduation. The policy shall require that all students have either taken all courses that require end-of-course examinations for math and science or are on track to take all courses that require end-of-course examinations for math and science under the Missouri school improvement program in order to receive credit toward high school graduation under this subsection.

 (3) A school district shall communicate to students electing to use a computer science course for a mathematics unit that some institutions of higher education may require four units of academic credit in mathematics for college admission. The parent, guardian, or legal custodian of each student who chooses to take a computer science course to fulfill a unit of academic credit in mathematics shall sign and submit to the school district a document containing a statement acknowledging that taking a computer science course to fulfill a unit of academic credit in mathematics may have an adverse effect on college admission decisions.

Graduation Handbook

Career Readiness Course Task Force

167.910. There is hereby established the "Career Readiness Course Task Force" to explore the possibility of a course covering the topics described in this section being offered in the public schools to students in eighth grade or ninth grade. Task force members shall be chosen to represent the geographic diversity of the state. All task force members shall be appointed before October 31, 2018. The task force members shall be appointed as follows: ...

An elementary school counselor, appointed by a statewide association of school  counselors;

 Two school counselors from a school giving instruction in a grade or grades not lower than the sixth nor higher than the eighth grade, appointed by a statewide association of school counselors;

 A secondary school counselor, appointed by a statewide association of school  counselors;

 A secondary school career and college counselor, appointed by a statewide association of school counselors

Recent legislation, section 167.902 RSMo, requires that the department of economic development shall annually identify occupations in which a critical need or shortage of trained personnel exists in the labor markets in this state and provide such information to the state board of education. Upon receipt of such data, the state board of education shall, in collaboration with the department of economic development, compile the following data and information:

1.  Information on how to obtain industry-recognized certificates and credentials;
2.  Information on how to obtain a license and the requirements for a license when licensure is required for an occupation;
3. Access to assessments and interest inventories that provide insight into the types of careers that would be suitable for students;
4. Resources that describe the types of skills and occupations most in demand in the current job market and those skills and occupations likely to be in high demand in future years;
5. Resources that describe the typical salaries for occupations and salary trends;
6.  Information on how to obtain financial assistance for postsecondary education;
7.  Information on how to choose a college, school, or apprenticeship that aligns with the student's career goals and values;
8. Information on self-employment;
9. Resources related to creating a resume, interviewing, networking, and finding job opportunities; and
10.  Information on the skills and traits necessary to succeed in various careers.

High-Demand Occupations for FY2025

The educational materials and data derived from the state board of education's collaboration with the department of economic development under subsection 1 of this section shall be distributed by the board to each high school in this state for the purpose of emphasizing areas of critical workforce needs and shortages in the labor markets in this state to high school students to support such students' career pathway decisions. Each high school shall provide its students with the information provided to the school by the state board of education before November first of every school year. 

Each year the Department of Workforce Development provides DESE with a list of high-demand occupations that require more than a high school diploma and less than a bachelor’s degree. Many of these programs are provided at local high schools and area career centers as well as at the community college level. High Demand Occupations for individuals with at least a high school education and less than a bachelor’s degree.  

1. Information on how to obtain industry-recognized certificates and credentials

Career centers across the state provide training on a variety of occupations, including those occupations in which a critical need or shortage of trained personnel exists in the labor market of Missouri.  Training in most of these occupations results in industry-recognized credentials and certificates that are valued by employers.  The map found at this link has connections to each career center.  Individuals and schools are encouraged to contact their local career center to determine what occupational training is available and to get information on licensing requirements.  

Missouri Public School Career Centers Map

2. Information on how to obtain a license and the requirements for a license when licensure is required for an occupation

Information on how to obtain industry-recognized certificates and credentials

Information on how to obtain a license and the requirements for a license when licensure is required for an occupation 

3. Access to assessments and interest inventories that provide insight into the types of careers that would be suitable for students

4. Resources that describe the types of skills and occupations most in demand in the current job market and those skills and occupations likely to be in high demand in future years

5. Resources that describe the typical salaries for occupations and salary trends

6. Information on how to obtain financial assistance for postsecondary education

7. Information on how to choose a college, school, or apprenticeship that aligns with the student's career goals and values

8. Information on self-employment

9. Resources related to creating a resume, interviewing, networking, and finding job opportunities

10. Information on the skills and traits necessary to succeed in various careers

Information on the above (3-10) can be found at Missouri Connections

Additional Resources: 

• MERIC Occupations Studies Several resources can be found on the MERIC site including occupational data, career resources, target industry real time briefs, and workforce studies are found.

• MERIC Industry Studies Resources including information on employment and projections, industry and business in Missouri, industry clusters, target industry briefs, information on exports, and various special projects can be found here.

• Critical Shortage Areas: MERIC 2020-2030 Statewide Industry Projections

Academic and Career Counseling Recognition

167.266.  Beginning with the 2018-19 school year, the board of education of a school district or a charter school that is a local educational agency may establish an academic and career counseling program in cooperation with parents and the local community that is in the best interest of and meets the needs of students in the community. School districts and local educational agencies may use the Missouri comprehensive school counseling program as a resource for the development of a district's or local educational agency's program. The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop a process for recognition of a school district's academic and career counseling program established in cooperation with parents and the local community no later than January 1, 2019.

Look for further details on the School Counseling Page under the Awards Tab

Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Model Policy Publication

Dear Missouri School District:

Pursuant to Section 170.048, RSMo, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) developed a model policy regarding youth suicide awareness and prevention. This model policy may be adopted by Missouri school districts to meet the requirements of Section 170.048, RSMo which provides as follows:

By July 1, 2018, each district shall adopt a policy for youth suicide awareness and prevention, including plans for how the district will provide for the training and education of its district employees.
Each district's policy shall address, but not be limited to, the following: 
(1) Strategies that can help identify students who are at possible risk of suicide; 
(2) Strategies and protocols for helping students at possible risk of suicide; and 
(3) Protocols for responding to a suicide death.

This model policy is intended to serve as a template for districts in developing suicide prevention policy. Districts are encouraged to adapt and customize the model policy to best address and meet the needs of their school community.

Substitution of Academic Credit with CTE Course up to 4 Courses

170.017. The department of elementary and secondary education shall, by July 1, 2015, develop a high school graduation policy that allows a student to fulfill one unit of academic credit with a district-approved agriculture or career and technical education course for any communication arts, mathematics, science, or social studies unit required for high school graduation in any combination up to fulfilling one requirement in each of the four subject areas. The substitution may not be made where the course for which the agriculture or career and technical education course is being substituted requires an end of-course statewide assessment. The credit cannot be substituted for any course which requires a statewide end-of-course assessment. The policy required under this section shall be in addition to the optional waiver of one unit of academic credit for a three-unit career and technical program of studies.

Graduation Handbook (page 27) provides further guidance on this legislation.

Additional information on Waivers and Substitutions for Academic Programs for Career and Technical Programs of Study can be found on page 26 of the Graduation Handbook.  Schools are cautioned to check with local board policy.