Opinion -- Missouri Right to Education Initiative Wins Court Victory

By Missouri Right to Education

Missouri Right to Education announced a major legal victory today in its effort to guarantee high-quality public education as a fundamental right. A Missouri court ruled in favor of Spencer Toder, the initiative’s Director, in his lawsuit challenging the Secretary of State’s false and misleading ballot language.

At issue was whether the Secretary of State’s proposed summary fairly and sufficiently represented the amendment, which seeks to make high-quality public education – adequate, thorough, and uniform – a fundamental right in the Missouri Constitution. The court sided with Toder, with the state unable to provide evidence that the amendment would result in negative outcomes for “students with disabilities and low-income families,” as stated in the Secretary of State’s proposed summary.

“Only public schools guarantee that all students are provided education, regardless of financial status or ability,” Toder said. “It’s unacceptable that we consistently ask our public schools to do more with less. When passed, we will finally be able to hold the state accountable and ensure that every child in Missouri has access to a public school with the necessary resources for them to thrive. When our kids are well educated, companies will flock to Missouri and our economy will soar. High-quality public education is the foundation of every successful community.”

The ruling orders the State to adopt clear language that accurately reflects the purpose of the initiative: ensuring every child in Missouri has a right to a high-quality public education.

“We filed this ballot initiative because schools across the country are shutting down as politicians take money from public schools and send it to private schools as a handout to their wealthy donors,” said Toder. “We’re seeing it happen in states like Arizona and Florida and Missouri is running the exact same playbook. The only thing that can stop it is this constitutional amendment. It is important to ask why any politician or organization would want to stand in the way of providing high quality public education for all kids.”

Missouri is currently 49th in state funding for public education and 49th for teacher pay.

“The idea that further defunding our schools is good for our communities is insane, but this amendment will not only stop the state from taking resources away from our public schools, but will finally give us the ability to ensure that we are competitive nationally and that our children have all of the opportunities they deserve.”

Missourians can sign up to volunteer and donate to the initiative at moeducation.org

About Missouri Right to Education:
Missouri Right to Education is a nonpartisan, citizen-led effort committed to ensuring every child in Missouri has access to a high-quality public education. By amending the Missouri Constitution to guarantee this right, the initiative seeks to strengthen public schools, improve accountability, and build a stronger future for Missouri’s families, workforce, and economy. To qualify to be on the November 2026 ballot, Missouri Right to Education must collect approximately 172,000 signatures across six congressional districts by May 3rd, 2026.

 

Opinion -- Missouri Ballot Initiative Would Establish Right to High Quality Public Education

By Missouri Right to Education

The Missouri Right to Education campaign is preparing to begin signature collection to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot that would guarantee every child in Missouri the right to high-quality public education.

Missouri is facing a number of challenges as we work to strengthen our communities and grow our economy. With an aging population and Missourians now dying at a faster rate than they are being born, it is essential that we give people every reason to make Missouri their home.  With the biggest driver of home selection being access to quality education, it is essential that Missouri raises its national profile through a constitutional commitment to that end.

Our constitution currently requires the legislature to provide free public schools, but there is no reference to our children having the “right” to adequate, thorough, and uniform high-quality education. Without a constitutional amendment enshrining the right to education, parents lack strong legal standing to hold the state accountable should it not uphold that right.

“This amendment is not about politics,” said Spencer Toder, Director of Missouri Right to Education. “It is about putting Missouri’s kids’ futures in writing. This will give teachers, parents, and communities the power to advocate for our students and make sure they get the kind of education that prepares them for a successful life.” 

The proposed amendment’s language has been submitted to the Secretary of State. To ensure voters have clear and accurate ballot language for the amendment, the campaign has filed a legal challenge to the state’s initial summary, which Toder asserts is false. “Why Secretary Hoskins would attempt to mislead voters who just want kids to have a right to education is beyond me, but we are confident that the courts will require fair and accurate language, and once that process is complete, we will begin signature gathering.”

The campaign emphasizes that the amendment does not add new programs or restrict educational opportunities. Its sole purpose is to ensure Missouri’s children have access to strong public schools across the state, no matter where they live. Missorians who are interested in getting involved in the effort can sign up to volunteer and contribute at MOEducation.org.

“The passing of this amendment will be a beacon to growing businesses across the country that Missouri is serious about fostering the most educated and prepared workforce possible.” Toder said. “Through a right to education, we will ensure a brighter future for Missouri.”