• The Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP) General Information

    Columbia Public Schools makes every attempt to meet the curricular needs of all of its students by offering a wide range of course offerings and opportunities, both face-to-face and online. (See a list of the current CPS face-to-face course offerings in the Columbia Public Schools 22-23 Registration Guide  and a list of the online offerings on the CPS Online web page)

    In cases where student needs are not being met by these course offerings, the recently passed Senate Bill 603 (referred to as "MOCAP") attempts to address this gap.  MOCAP was passed with the intent of:

    • Expanding the range of courses and opportunities offered to students
    • Offering courses for students when there are no qualified teachers to teach the course
    • Allowing students to take a course not offered at the local school district

    In brief, MO Senate Bill 603 states that:

    Students who have been enrolled full time in a public or charter school for at least one semester immediately prior, may enroll part-time or full-time in the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP). Enrollment must be approved by Columbia Public Schools. A student with a documented medical or psychological condition that prevented the student from attending school during the previous semester shall be exempt from the requirement that a student is enrolled full-time in and attended a public school for at least one semester in order to enroll in Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program courses.

    Talking a Course Through MOCAP as a CPS Student

    If you feel that your or your child might benefit from this program, enrollment takes place at the same time as enrollment takes place for other CPS courses. Here is what you need to do: 

    1. Check that it is not too late to apply: The deadline for adding a MOCAP course(s) to a student's schedule is the same as for adding a face-to-face course(s), which is the sixth day after the start of the semester.
    2. Contact your child’s counselor or the CPS MOCAP Coordinator for details on the application process. The CPS MOCAP Coordinator is Dr. Tim Majerus. He can be reached at tmajerus@cpsk12.org or at 573-214-3987.  
    3. If your student has an IEP, the IEP team will need to meet to consider the request. Dr. Majerus will initiate this process once he receives your request.

    Any request to take a MOCAP course that is denied by Columbia Public Schools can be appealed.  Information about the appeals process will be sent to parents along with notification of the denial.  For more information about the appeals process, please contact Dr. Kristi Shinn, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, 573-214-3932, kshinn@cpsk12.org.

    Related Resources

    Link to SB 603:   http://www.senate.mo.gov/18info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=69472003

    Link to DESE's MOCAP Information Page:  https://mocap.mo.gov/about.html