Four Day School Weeks and School Staffing Shortages
In this brief, we explore the relationship between four-day school week policies and teacher shortages in Missouri.
District Leave Benefits and Early Career Female Teachers in Missouri
In this brief, we analyze how varying school district leave benefits might affect the Missouri teacher pipeline - especially among early career female teachers.
Reforming Missouri’s Minimum Teacher Salary
This brief examines the state’s minimum teacher salary and the new proposed plan to increase the state’s minimum salary. Specifically, we examine the Governor’s proposal to increase from $25,000 to $38,000.
Examining the Geographic Eligibility Component of the MO Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program
In this brief, we describe the parts of the state that will have students who are potentially eligible to use the new Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program. We pay particular attention to those parts of the state that are ineligible due to the program’s geographic and population limitations.
Voter Support for the MO Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program
In this brief, we use data from the October 2021 SLU/YouGov Poll to present evidence outlining differences in voter opinion by demographic factors such as voter race and political affiliation.
Public Pre-K Access and Enrollment: Assessing Take-up of Missouri’s Early Childhood Education Funding Expansion
In this brief, I describe the take-up of early childhood education funding from Missouri House Bill 1689. While public pre-K enrollment expanded in Missouri prior to the pandemic, many school districts have not leveraged this newly available state funding to support pre-K growth
Technology Implications for Missouri Public Schools in the Era of COVID-19
In this policy brief, we consider the gap in technology access for Missouri’s school districts brought to light by the recent coronavirus pandemic. We further describe how trends in Missouri’s internet access lag those of our neighboring states and the nation, specifically regions with similar rural populations, and why rectifying these gaps is vital to meet students’ educational needs.
Higher Education Admissions and the COVID-19 Pandemic: The National Landscape
In this policy brief, we describe the national landscape of recent higher education policy changes and how such decisions may impact the future of higher education admissions.
Recessionary School Funding in Missouri: Lessons from the Great Recession
In this brief, we discuss the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic recession, as well as how federal fiscal aid from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act helped mitigate similar budget cuts following the Great Recession. We note that districts with varying local wealth experienced heterogeneous school funding recoveries and discuss other policy implications in education.
Brain Food: Student Meal Provision Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
In this policy brief, we summarize the issue of growing food insecurity among Missouri children, detailing the role of some of the federal programs that support them. As more families become food insecure in the wake of the pandemic, we also note evidence of the impact of hunger on critical student outcomes.
Do Missourians Support School Choice?
In this policy brief, we describe the results of the recent SLU/YouGov Poll and respondents’ opinions on charter schools, open enrollment policies, and private school choice.
Amid COVID-19 Recession, Missouri Voters Still Support Increased School Spending
In this policy brief, we describe the results of the recent SLU/YouGov Poll and respondents’ opinions on school finance and teacher salaries in light of the COVID-induced recession.
MISSOURI SCHOOL RATINGS AND COVID’S IMPACTS ON FAMILIES
In this policy brief, we describe the results of the recent SLU/YouGov Poll and respondents’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they rate their local schools and schools across the state.