SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An omnibus education bill drawing praise from different groups across the state was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jay Nixon.
While the underlying bill adds civics to high school testing requirements, some of the other provisions added as amendments during session were singled out for praise.
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed a provision that requires school districts to develop a system to identify and counsel students who are at risk of not being ready for college-level work or entry-level career positions.
“Remedial classes are a hidden cost of college for students and a drag on our economy and taxpayers, who are paying twice in too many cases to educate our students,” said Dan Mehan, Missouri Chamber president and CEO. “That’s why demanding more rigor in high school coursework makes good sense on so many different levels and why the business community has made addressing that problem a critical priority.”
The bill requires each school district in Missouri to develop a system by 2018 for identifying ninth-grade students who are at risk of not being ready for college-level work or for entry-level career positions. Students could work with their school’s guidance counselors to develop a personal plan of study, setting goals to stay on track.
The chamber said it would address the problem of remediation on its own too, through a program called Show-Me Scholars. The program will encourage students to take more rigorous classwork in high school by bringing in business leaders as mentors.
Nixon praised a provision of the bill allowing the state to establish a Quality Rating System for preschools. Missouri became the last state in the country to do so.
“This legislation is long overdue, and I’m pleased we’re taking action to provide the tools parents need to find the right preschool for them and their children,” Nixon said.
Nixon also praised the passage of an expansion of Missouri’s A+ scholarship program. The expansion would allow students at nonpublic high schools to use the scholarship program to attend the state’s public community colleges to cover tuition for two years.
“This bill also helps even more hard working Missouri students attend community college without paying a nickel for tuition through the A+ Program,” he said.
The bill also established the Legislative Task Force on Dyslexia, and directed the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary education to develop guidelines for the screening of students with dyslexia and related disorders and for the classroom support of such students.
The bill also includes provisions that would enhance the academic and financial standards required of charter schools.
