Missouri law aims to help teachers of traumatized children

The state took its first step toward backing the approach Wednesday, when Gov. Jay Nixon signed legislation to create a pilot program to support schools and train teachers trying to help troubled children.

The idea is to help teachers better identify when issues at home — such as child abuse, neighborhood violence or other traumatic events — might be hampering children's ability to learn.

The bill, set to take effect in August, directs the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to give teachers in five schools intensive training in the method, and to provide online resources and offer training to other interested schools.

The push for teachers to better understand how trauma affects children follows major research on the consequences of childhood stress and comes amid a nationwide push to roll back zero-tolerance policies that emphasize harsh discipline for even minor misbehavior.

Montecillo, who's leaving the Legislature when her term ends in January to return to teaching, said trauma affects children throughout the state and can range from abuse from parents to natural disasters such as the deadly tornado that struck Joplin in 2011.