Senator Jill Carter’s “Education Freedom Act” Advances to the Missouri House

JEFFERSON CITY —On April 17, the Missouri Senate passed Senate Bill 360, the Education Freedom Act, sponsored by State Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby. 

This landmark legislation reforms Missouri’s statewide education assessment system, school accountability measures and the powers of the State Board of Education, emphasizing local control and flexibility in the state’s education system. The bill now heads to the Missouri House of Representatives for further consideration.

“Senate Bill 360 empowers local schools to innovate and tailor assessments to their unique needs while ensuring accountability to students, parents and communities,” said Sen. Carter. “By reducing state overreach and prioritizing flexibility, the Education Freedom Act positions Missouri’s education system to better serve students and educators.”

Key provisions of SB 360 include replacing the current statewide assessment system with a summative assessment that meets federal requirements. This would allow school districts and charter schools to develop or adopt local assessment systems while requiring districts to publish annual data dashboards on their websites. The bill also eliminates outdated accountability report card requirements and modifies school accreditation processes, enabling districts to seek accreditation from approved national agencies.

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