Mo. Code Regs. tit. 5 § 25-100.340

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 1, January 2, 2025

Section 5 CSR 25-100.340 - Early Childhood Education Standards

PURPOSE: This rule establishes policies and standards for state-funded prekindergarten education program grants.

(1) Any program that receives state funding to deliver prekindergarten education shall meet the following quality early childhood education (ECE) standards:

(A) The prekindergarten program shall include-

1. Voluntary, universal access for all children to participate;

2. A schedule that identifies daily instructional time and the duration of the academic year;

3. A work schedule for the teachers that covers the entire instructional time identified in the annual calendar and daily schedule; and

4. The daily work schedule for qualified teaching assistant(s) or paraprofessional(s) that must cover the entire instructional time identified in the annual calendar and daily schedule;

(B) The program shall use a comprehensive department-approved curriculum or department-approved supplemental curriculum that aligns with all areas of the Missouri Early Learning Standards;

(C) The program shall conduct assessments aligned with the Missouri Early Learning Standards;

(D) Any teacher in a prekindergarten classroom shall have-

1. A current Missouri early childhood or early childhood special education teaching certificate;

2. A bachelor's degree or higher in ECE, early childhood special education, or child development;

3. A bachelor's degree or higher in any field with a minimum of thirty-six (36) college credit hours in ECE or child development; or

4. An associate's degree in ECE or child development; associate's degree in any field with a minimum of eighteen (18) college credit hours in ECE or child development; or sixty (60) college credit hours with a minimum of twenty-four (24) college credits in ECE or child development with-

A. Active enrollment in pursuit of one (1) of the credentials listed in paragraphs (1)(D)1.-3.; and

B. Teaching under the supervision and mentorship of an individual who meets one (1) of the credentials listed in paragraphs (1)(D)1.-3.;

(E) Any prekindergarten classroom with eleven (11) to twenty (20) children shall have a teaching assistant or a paraprofessional;

(F) Any teaching assistant in a prekindergarten classroom shall have-

1. A current Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; or

2. Nine (9) college credit hours in ECE or child development;

(G) Any paraprofessional in a prekindergarten classroom shall have a department paraprofessional credential;

(H) The program shall participate in the Quality Assurance Report (QAR) and will demonstrate quality within two (2) years of participation in QAR;

(I) All teachers, assistant teachers, and paraprofessionals shall complete a minimum of eighteen (18) clock hours annually of professional development in at least four (4) Missouri professional development content areas; and

(J) The policies and standards identified in this regulation shall not supersede requirements set forth by the funding for prekindergarten education.

5 CSR 25-100.340

Adopted by Missouri Register January 16, 2024/volume 49, Number 02, effective 12/20/2023, exp. 6/16/2024 (Emergency).

Amended by Missouri Register May 15, 2024/volume 49, Number 10, effective 6/30/2024.