Proposed Rules

The following are Proposed Rules that the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has submitted to the Secretary of State for Publication in the Missouri Register. These rules will not go into effect until the public has had an opportunity to submit written comments, and to attend a public hearing if one is scheduled.  

Any person may offer comments on a Proposed Rule. The instructions for submitting comments, and the location and date of a hearing if one is scheduled, are located after the text of each rule. Please note that the official text of a Proposed Rule is the version that appears in the Missouri Register, not the draft copy on this site. Refer to the official copy if you wish to submit comments.

We hope you find this site helpful and informative.

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Proposed Recission: 5 CSR 20-400.210 Application for Certificates of License to Teach on the Basis of Certification by the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE)

Summary: This rule is being rescinded, and the language of this rule is being moved to 5 CSR 20-400.500 because all other routes to certification are described in that rule. 

Date Posted: August 3, 2026

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Proposed Amendment: 5 CSR 20-400.380 Mentoring Program Standards

Summary: Section 160.720 and 161.375 RSMo Supp. 2013, and section 161.092, RSMo Supp. 2014, establish the completion of a Mentoring Program as a requirement of certification. This guideline identifies minimum requirements for implementation of an effective mentoring program for beginning teachers as mentees and clarifies the role of mentor teachers for school districts and charter schools in the state of Missouri. A well-designed and implemented Mentoring Program with on-going support will improve practice, helping new educators have the skills and knowledge to positively impact student achievement.

Date Posted: August 3, 2026

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Proposed Amendment: 5 CSR 20-400.500 Application for Certificate of License to Teach

Summary: The purpose of this amendment is to increase clarity of the rule that describes various paths to certification. 

Date Posted: August 3, 2026

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Proposed Amendment: 5 CSR 20-400.530 Certification Requirements for a Teacher of Middle School Education (Grades 5-9)

Summary: These revisions are intended to standardize and clarify the requirements for certification in Middle School Education in order to make the path to certification more accessible and, in turn, increase the number of well-prepared teachers available to Missouri’s 5-9 students.

Date Posted: August 3, 2026

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Proposed Amendment: 5 CSR 20-400.540 Certification Requirements for Teacher of Secondary Education (Grades 9–12)

Summary: These revisions are intended to standardize and clarify the requirements for certification in Secondary Education in order to make the path to certification more accessible and, in turn, increase the number of well-prepared teachers available to Missouri’s 9-12 students.

Date Posted: August 3, 2026

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Proposed Amendment: 5 CSR 20-400.550 Certification Requirements for Teacher of K-12 Education

Summary: These revisions are intended to standardize and clarify the requirements for certification in Secondary Education in order to make the path to certification more accessible and, in turn, increase the number of well-prepared teachers available to Missouri’s K-12 students.

Date Posted: August 3, 2026

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Proposed Amendment: 5 CSR 20-400.570 Certification Requirements for English Language Development (Kindergarten – Grade 12)

Summary: These revisions are intended to clarify the expectations for certification in English Language Development and to make certification in the area accessible to more educators.

Date Posted: August 3, 2026

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  • State Board of Education Agenda/Minutes
  • Incorporated by Reference Materials
  • Missouri Register
  • Code of State Regulations
  • Missouri Revised Statutes
  • Senate Bill 504
  • Periodic Rule Review - a five (5)-year rolling review of existing rules that began July 1, 2020, as set forth in Section 536.175, RSMo. The report contains the results of the review which includes:  whether the rule continues to be necessary; whether the rule is obsolete; whether the rule overlaps; duplicates or conflicts with other rules; whether a less restrictive or more narrowly tailored rule is appropriate; whether the rule needs amendment or rescission; whether incorporated by reference materials are proper; and whether rules affecting small business are still relevant. The report contains an appendix with the nature of the comments the department has received on the rules and the agency responses to the comments.