Missouri school choice expansion approved by Legislature, awaits governor’s signature

The Missouri Legislature passed a school choice expansion bill which now heads to the governor’s desk.

SB 727 was approved by the House 82-69 on Thursday. It passed the Senate 19-10 last month.

Noted school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis previously praised the bill, calling it a “big step in the right direction.”

“All families, regardless of income, should be able to take their children’s education dollars to the education providers of their choosing,” DeAngelis told The Lion. “If a state like Arizona – with one-seat GOP majorities in both chambers in 2022 – can pass universal school choice, then deep-red Missouri can get the job done, too.”

The Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, nicknamed MOScholars, launched in 2021 and provides tax-credit funded scholarships to low-income students in certain regions.  

SB 727 won’t make the program fully universal, but it raises the fundraising cap from $50 million to $75 million annually. It also expands student eligibility by removing geographic barriers and raises the household income cap for participating families from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level. 

The bill includes other education reforms related to issues such as teacher pay and retention and four-day school weeks. 

DeAngelis noted on social media three Missouri Democrats supported SB 727 in the House – and they aren’t the first to cross the aisle in support of educational freedom. 

Louisiana Rep. Jason Hughes, D-District 100, gave a fiery speech earlier this month in favor of universal school choice in a video that went viral. 

“As I watch children in poverty, trapped in failing schools, who can hardly read, I’d be damned if I will continue to defend the status quo,” said Hughes. “Too many of our children are dropping out and we wonder why we have to have a crime session. Because our students can hardly read!” 

A Nebraska Democrat also defended education freedom in his Legislature.  

“If we care about kids, if we say we want what’s best for kids, then get rid of the politics of it, and let’s just give them a chance,” argued Sen. Justine Wayne, D-District 13. 

The scholarship provisions in SB 727 are not expected to go into effect until the 2025-26 school year as the state treasure will have to rewrite current regulations.