MSBA supports reform of the MOCAP program to increase educational outcomes for students and accountability to Missouri taxpayers.
What is MOCAP: Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP) allows private virtual course providers to register with DESE and then allows students to take these courses at the expense of the local school district.
Why it matters to your students and community: The MOCAP program allows for-profit companies to educate Missouri students at public expense with little, if any, oversight. Vendors can register with Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to be listed on DESE's website, but DESE has limited ability to refuse a vendor. DESE is not allowed to accredit these vendor programs and has limited oversight over them resulting in unknown educational outcomes.
Legislation to Watch:Senate Bill 95 (Onder) and House Bill 729 (O’Donnell) morph the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP) into unlimited virtual charter schools by cutting educational professionals out of the decision-making process and allowing parents to enroll directly in for-profit virtual course vendors with the invoice going to the state. These schools have even less accountability for student learning, safety and fiscal responsibility than existing charter schools, and because they are not required to provide buses and buildings and food service and nurses and counselors, their profit margins are greater, but students receive less. Senate Bill 95 and House Bill 729 make it easier for companies to profit from the state of Missouri and Missouri’s students, but do not require these providers to provide a quality education to all students.
MSBA supports reform of the MOCAP program by:
MSBA Advocacy Position VI. K.