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Legislation
MSTA Action
Click on the PDF icon for a complete copy of the May 21, 2010, FINAL ACTION
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| Budget dominates session but more cuts to come | Charters, open enrollment are non-factors | Bills passed this session | No changes to formula, summer school | Ed. departments to remain separate | School safety measure finally passes | Parents as Teachers changes due to cuts | Career Ladder survives tight budget |
Charters, open enrollment are non-factors
School-choice supporters touted charter school expansion and passing an open enrollment law as their top priorities at the start of the 2010 legislative session, but neither idea had much support.
The Senate version of the open enrollment bill received a hearing in February, but the Senate Education Committee never voted on it. Open enrollment surfaced as an amendment in the House. Despite a few hours of debate in the House, members defeated it by a 122-34 vote.
Missouri allows charter schools only in the St. Louis and Kansas City school districts. School-choice supporters attempted to expand charters, although the academic achievement of these schools has been mixed, and a charter school in St. Louis recently closed due to financial mismanagement.
Supporters proposed to expand charter schools in districts that have been classified as unaccredited by the State Board of Education, or those that have a Title I school in level three, four, or five of the Missouri School Improvement Program. They would also expand sponsorships for charter schools to community colleges and the mayor of St. Louis.
School-choice supporters failed in promoting their agenda this session, but we can expect these issues to resurface next year.