Missouri Legislature Expands School Choice, Boosts Teacher Pay and More 

“This legislation represents a multi-pronged approach to expanding educational opportunity for students and families, improving early literacy and supporting teachers. By increasing investments and extending the reach of student-centered policies, Missouri leaders are making clear their commitment to families and the success of every student and every educator. 

“We are grateful to Senators Andrew Koenig, Bill Eigel and Cindy O’Lauglin, Speaker Dean Plocher and Representatives Phil Christofanelli and Mark Matthiesen for listening to the voices of constituents and taking meaningful steps to improve K-12 education and change lives.” 

About the Legislation 

Missouri’s SB 727 expands public and private educational opportunity, invests in early literacy programs and increases teacher pay and incentives. Key provisions include: 

Early Literacy 

• Establishing an “Elementary Literacy Fund” up to $5 million per year to provide grants to school districts and charter schools for home reading programs for K-5 students. 

Educational Opportunity 

• Expanding the geographic area in which charter schools can be established to include Boone County (Columbia), which could extend public school choice to more than 27,000 additional students. 
• Expanding Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts by
  • Increasing funding from $50 million to a potential maximum of $75 million, which could potentially provide up to 4,000 more students with ESAs. 
  • Raising income eligibility from 200% of the federal reduced-price lunch threshold ($$ for a family of four) to 300% ($$ for a family of four). 
  • Removing geographic restrictions to make the program statewide. 

Teacher Pay & Incentives 

• Creating a scholarship program for students in teacher preparation programs in exchange for agreeing to teach in a hard-to-staff school once they graduate. 
• Increasing the minimum teacher salary from $25,000 to $40,000 beginning in the 2025-26 school year, then increasing salaries by $1,000 each subsequent year until the 2027-28 school year. 
• Increasing the minimum salary for teachers with a master’s degree and at least 10 years of experience from $33,000 to $46,000, then increasing salaries by $1,000 each subsequent year until the 2027-28 school year. 

The legislation now heads to Gov. Mike Parson’s desk for signature.