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Matt Grant for Congress — Missouri — District 2
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Quick-Start Cards — Missouri K-12 Education Navigator

Quick-Start Cards — Missouri K-12 Education Navigator

Use these cards to jump straight to what matters for your role. Each card lists your top tasks, key commands, essential reference files, and answers to common questions.

All Roles Overview

graph TD NAV[Missouri K-12<br/>Education Navigator] NAV --> P[Parent] NAV --> T[Teacher] NAV --> SP[Specialist] NAV --> ST[Student] NAV --> BL[Principal /<br/>Building Leader] NAV --> SS[School Staff] NAV --> DA[District Admin] P --> P1[Rights & Advocacy] T --> T1[Certification & Standards] SP --> SP1[IEP / 504 / ELL] ST --> ST1[Graduation & College] BL --> BL1[CSIP & Safety] SS --> SS1[Compliance & Training] DA --> DA1[Accreditation & Funding]

Parent

graph LR PA[Parent] --> A[Know Your Rights] PA --> B[Request an Evaluation] PA --> C[Write a Letter] PA --> D[Check Graduation Credits] PA --> E[Understand Discipline Rules]

Top 5 Things You Can Do

  1. Look up your rights -- type /rights or ask "What are my rights regarding [topic]?"
  2. Request a special education evaluation -- type /letter evaluation-request to generate a formal letter
  3. Draft any parent letter -- type /letter [type] (options: evaluation-request, records-request, iep-meeting, dispute, 504-request, attendance-excuse)
  4. Audit graduation credits -- type /graduation to walk through your student's credit status
  5. Check A+ Scholarship eligibility -- type /a-plus to see if your student qualifies

Key Files

Common Questions

Q: How do I request my child be evaluated for special education? A: Submit a written request to your school. Use /letter evaluation-request to generate one. The district has 60 calendar days from your signed consent to complete the evaluation.

Q: Can my child transfer to another school district? A: Yes. Missouri allows voluntary interdistrict transfers (RSMo 162.1010). If your district is unaccredited, your child may transfer to an accredited district at the sending district's expense (RSMo 167.131).

Q: What is the A+ Scholarship? A: A tuition-reimbursement program at Missouri community colleges. Students need a 2.5 GPA, 95% attendance, 50 hours of tutoring/mentoring, and Proficient on the Algebra I EOC, among other requirements. Type /a-plus for a full eligibility check.

Teacher

graph LR TE[Teacher] --> A[Certification & Renewal] TE --> B[Evaluation / MEES] TE --> C[Professional Development] TE --> D[Learning Standards] TE --> E[Rights & Tenure]

Top 5 Things You Can Do

  1. Check certification requirements -- ask "What do I need for my IPC?" or "How do I add an endorsement?"
  2. Understand your evaluation -- ask "Explain the MEES process" or "What are the 8 Missouri Teaching Standards?"
  3. Find professional development -- type /pd [topic] to get PD suggestions aligned to your needs
  4. Look up Missouri Learning Standards -- ask about any subject or grade level standards
  5. Calculate retirement eligibility -- type /retire to check Rule of 80 and your options

Key Files

Common Questions

Q: How do I move from an IPC to a CCPC? A: Teach for 4 years on your IPC, complete a mentoring program, get a recommendation from your employing district, and fulfill professional development requirements. Your district HR office processes the application through DESE.

Q: When does tenure kick in? A: After 5 consecutive years of satisfactory employment in the same district (RSMo 168.104). Tenured teachers can only be terminated for cause with due process.

Q: Am I a mandated reporter? A: Yes. All school employees must report suspected child abuse or neglect immediately to the Children's Division hotline at 1-800-392-3738 (RSMo 210.115). Failure to report is a Class A misdemeanor.

Specialist

graph LR SP[Specialist] --> A[IEP Compliance Check] SP --> B[504 Plan Guidance] SP --> C[ELL Identification] SP --> D[FBA / BIP Development] SP --> E[Transition Planning]

Top 5 Things You Can Do

  1. Run an IEP compliance check -- type /iep-check to walk through every required component
  2. Compare IEP vs. 504 -- type /compare IEP vs 504 for a side-by-side decision guide
  3. Review SPED timelines -- ask "What are the special education evaluation timelines?" (60-day eval, 30-day IEP, annual review, triennial)
  4. Build an FBA/BIP -- ask "Walk me through an FBA" for step-by-step functional behavior assessment guidance
  5. Plan transition services -- ask "What is required for transition planning?" (begins at age 16 per IDEA)

Key Files

Common Questions

Q: What triggers a Manifestation Determination Review (MDR)? A: An MDR is required before any disciplinary removal exceeding 10 cumulative school days in a year for a student with an IEP or 504 plan. The team determines whether the behavior was caused by the disability or by a failure to implement the plan.

Q: What are the 13 IDEA disability categories? A: Autism, Deaf-Blindness, Deafness, Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech/Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Visual Impairment. Missouri also uses "Young Child with a Developmental Delay" for ages 3-5.

Q: How long does the district have to complete an evaluation? A: 60 calendar days from the date parent consent is received. The IEP must be developed within 30 calendar days of the eligibility determination.

Student

graph LR STU[Student] --> A[Graduation Requirements] STU --> B[A+ Scholarship Check] STU --> C[College & Career Planning] STU --> D[Financial Aid / FAFSA] STU --> E[Know Your Rights]

Top 5 Things You Can Do

  1. Audit your graduation credits -- type /graduation to check your progress toward the 24-credit requirement
  2. Check A+ eligibility -- type /a-plus to verify GPA, attendance, tutoring hours, and test scores
  3. Explore careers and colleges -- ask "Help me plan for college" or "What CTE pathways are available?"
  4. Understand financial aid -- ask about FAFSA, Bright Flight, Access Missouri, or A+ benefits
  5. Know your discipline rights -- ask "What are my rights if I get suspended?" for due process information

Key Files

Common Questions

Q: How many credits do I need to graduate? A: Missouri requires a minimum of 24 credits: 4 ELA, 3 Math (including Algebra I+), 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 1 Fine Arts, 1 Practical Arts, 1 PE, 0.5 Health, 0.5 Personal Finance, and 7 electives. Your district may require more.

Q: What EOC exams do I have to take? A: English II, Algebra I (or Algebra II), Biology, and American Government. Participation is mandatory, but passing is not currently required for graduation.

Q: Can I earn college credit while in high school? A: Yes. Missouri supports dual credit/dual enrollment through district partnerships with colleges. You earn both high school and college credit. A+ benefits can also be used for dual enrollment courses at community colleges.

Principal / Building Leader

graph LR PR[Principal] --> A[School Improvement / CSIP] PR --> B[Teacher Evaluation / MEES] PR --> C[Safety Plans & Drills] PR --> D[Discipline Policy] PR --> E[Parent Engagement]

Top 5 Things You Can Do

  1. Build or review your CSIP -- type /csip to walk through each required component of your school improvement plan
  2. Create a safety plan -- type /safety-plan to build an emergency operations plan annex by annex
  3. Run a threat assessment -- type /threat to document a threat assessment using the CSTAG framework
  4. Get monthly compliance tasks -- type /comply [month] (e.g., /comply april) for that month's checklist
  5. Draft or review discipline policy -- type /policy discipline for a board-ready policy template

Key Files

Common Questions

Q: How often must I conduct safety drills? A: Fire drills monthly (minimum 2/semester), tornado and earthquake drills minimum 2/year each, lockdown/active threat drills minimum 2/year (RSMo 160.660), and bus evacuation drills minimum 1/year.

Q: What is required in a CSIP? A: A school profile, needs assessment, measurable goals aligned to MSIP 6, evidence-based strategies, PD plan, resource allocation, timeline, monitoring plan, evaluation plan, and evidence of stakeholder engagement. The CSIP is reviewed annually and fully revised every 5 years.

Q: When can I non-renew a non-tenured teacher? A: Non-tenured teachers may be non-renewed without cause at the end of their contract year, but you must provide written notice by April 15 (RSMo 168.126). Tenured teachers require termination for cause with full due process.

School Staff

graph LR SST[School Staff] --> A[Mandated Reporting] SST --> B[Background Check Info] SST --> C[Required Training] SST --> D[Role-Specific Rules] SST --> E[Student Privacy / FERPA]

Top 5 Things You Can Do

  1. Understand mandated reporting -- ask "What are my mandated reporting obligations?" (all staff must report to 1-800-392-3738)
  2. Review required annual training -- ask "What training do I need this year?" for a role-specific list
  3. Learn FERPA basics -- ask "What can I share about students?" for student privacy rules
  4. Check paraprofessional requirements -- ask "What qualifications do paras need?" (ESSA requirements for Title I)
  5. Look up crisis procedures -- type /crisis [type] for immediate action steps during an emergency

Key Files

Common Questions

Q: Am I a mandated reporter? A: Yes. Every school employee -- teachers, paras, bus drivers, custodians, food service, office staff, coaches, and regular volunteers -- is a mandated reporter (RSMo 210.115). Report suspected abuse or neglect immediately to 1-800-392-3738. Failure to report is a Class A misdemeanor.

Q: What qualifications do paraprofessionals need in Title I schools? A: One of three: (1) 60 semester hours of college credit, (2) an associate's degree or higher, or (3) a passing score on an approved paraprofessional assessment. All paras must work under the direct supervision of a certified teacher.

Q: What is FERPA and how does it affect me? A: FERPA protects student education records. You may not disclose personally identifiable student information without parent consent except under specific exceptions (e.g., school officials with legitimate educational interest, transfer schools, health/safety emergencies). When in doubt, do not share.

District Admin

graph LR DA[District Admin] --> A[MSIP 6 Accreditation] DA --> B[Funding Formula & Budget] DA --> C[ESSA / Title Compliance] DA --> D[Data Reporting / MOSIS] DA --> E[Policy Development]

Top 5 Things You Can Do

  1. Review accreditation status -- ask "Explain MSIP 6 standards" or "What triggers provisional accreditation?"
  2. Understand the funding formula -- ask "How does Missouri's school funding formula work?" for SAT, WADA, and local effort calculations
  3. Get monthly compliance tasks -- type /comply [month] for federal and state deadlines
  4. Draft district policy -- type /policy [type] (options: ai, discipline, bullying, attendance, device) for board-ready templates
  5. Check data reporting requirements -- type /data [report] for MOSIS/Core Data cycle guidance

Key Files

Common Questions

Q: What are the five MSIP 6 standards? A: (1) Academic Achievement, (2) Subgroup Achievement, (3) High School Readiness / College & Career Readiness, (4) Attendance, and (5) School Quality / Climate. DESE publishes an Annual Performance Report (APR) scoring each standard.

Q: What happens if a district loses accreditation? A: Consequences include a state-appointed advisory team or special administrative board, mandatory improvement plans with DESE oversight, student transfer provisions at the district's expense (RSMo 167.131), potential lapse of corporate organization (RSMo 162.081), and loss of local governance.

Q: What data systems must we report to? A: MOSIS (individual student-level data: demographics, enrollment, attendance, discipline, assessment, SPED, ELL) with Fall, Spring, and End-of-Year cycles; and Core Data (district/school-level staffing, salaries, revenue/expenditures, facilities) submitted annually. Errors can affect funding, APR scores, and accreditation.

Nonpartisan informational resource for Missouri — District 2 — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Source: dougdevitre/access-to-education.

Paid for by Matt Grant for Congress.