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Bill Summary · HB 2704

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a statewide framework for identifying gifted students starting with the 2026-27 school year.
  • Requires universal screening of all students at least once before the beginning of grade three to identify giftedness.
  • Aims to ensure districts have approved gifted programs and certified gifted education staff where applicable.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Gifted program requirements (existing to future)

    • For school years 2024-25 onward, districts with 3% or more students identified as gifted and needing services beyond regular programs must establish a state-approved gifted program.
    • The state board of education will set standards for gifted programs and gifted services; district programs require approval by the state department of elementary and secondary education (DESE) via project applications.

  2. Certification and professional development (2024-25 onward)

    • Districts with an average daily attendance (ADA) over 350: any teacher providing gifted services must be certified in gifted education.
    • Districts with ADA 350 or fewer: teachers may provide gifted services without certification but must annually complete at least six clock hours of professional development focused on gifted services, paid for by the district.

  3. Universal screening requirement (2026-27 onward)

    • Each district must screen all students at least once before the start of grade three to identify gifted students.
    • Screening must use valid, reliable, and current tests and require evidence from at least two areas (examples include general mental ability, academic achievement, creativity, reasoning, problem solving, plus referrals from parents, teachers, students, or self-referrals).
    • Screenings must be reviewed by staff trained in gifted education or assessment (or both).
    • A student’s participation in advanced coursework (AP/IB) shall not be the sole basis for identifying gifted.

  4. Identification criteria and process (2026-27 onward)

    • Students must meet the definition of gifted as provided in section 162.675 to be identified as gifted.
    • If a student does not meet criteria on a single screening, districts must permit further data collection and consideration.

  5. District policy and parental notice (2026-27 onward)

    • Districts must adopt a board-approved policy detailing:
      • The universal screening process for gifted selection
      • Annual notification to parents/guardians about the screening process
      • Procedures for parents/guardians to request a review if their child did not qualify for services

  6. Immunity and rulemaking

    • Districts and district employees are immune from liability for decisions that a child did not qualify for gifted services.
    • DESE may promulgate necessary rules, with compliance standards tied to Missouri’s rulemaking framework (Chapter 536).

Who/what is affected

  • All Missouri school districts (beginning in 2026-27 for universal screening; earlier provisions apply to gifted program requirements and teacher certification/development based on district ADA and program approvals).
  • Teachers who provide gifted services (certified in districts with ADA > 350; or required to complete professional development in districts with ADA ≤ 350).
  • DESE and the Missouri State Board of Education (standards setting and program approval processes).
  • Parents/guardians and students (through notification requirements and potential opportunities to request reviews).

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • 2024-25 and later: Gifted program requirements and teacher certification/development standards apply based on district ADA (as described).
  • 2026-27 and later: Universal screening of all students before grade three; establishment of two-area evidence; policy requirements; parent notification; and appeal/review procedures become mandatory.
  • Rulemaking authority granted to DESE to implement specifics, subject to Missouri’s rulemaking process and nonseverability provisions.

Notable details

  • Screening must be multi-domain and not rely solely on AP/IB participation for gifted identification.
  • A single negative screening does not prevent future data collection or consideration for gifted identification.
  • Immunity from liability for denial of gifted services is provided to districts and staff.

This bill would align Missouri’s gifted identification practices with universal screening and standardized program oversight, with phased implementation beginning in the 2024-25 fiscal year for program requirements and moving to universal screening in 2026-27.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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