General Assembly

Missouri Senate Approves Measure to Allow Quicker State Takeover of Unaccredited Schools

This just in from the Senate Majority Caucus communications office: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 7, 2013 Senate Approves Measure to Assist Unaccredited Schools Bill Removes the Two-Year Waiting Period Before State Can Intervene JEFFERSON CITY— A bill aimed at helping students in failing school districts was given final approval by the Senate today by a … Continue reading →

Local and National Policymakers Struggle With Ways to Keep Students From Hurting Themselves and Others

One boy’s mother says he spends entire days at school alone in a room with no windows and the door closed so no one can see him. School staff say he has issues with touching people too often — including high fives and hugs — and so must be separated from his classmates. Another mother … Continue reading →

Originally posted on 20 Pounds Of Headlines:
KC Star: JEFFERSON CITY — A bill that would have allowed the state to immediately take over the failing Kansas City Public Schools died in the Missouri House on Friday without coming up for a vote. House Education Committee Chairman Scott Dieckhaus would not allow the legislation to proceed…

North Kansas City Board of Education to Meet This Evening

The North Kansas City School District’s Board of Education will meet Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. Before the meeting, board members will attend a dinner co-sponsored with the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA). This morning, the MSTA coordinated an event in Jefferson City during which district leaders had the opportunity to meet with state legislators. Missouri’s General Assembly … Continue reading →

Missouri House Convenes: Democrats & Republicans Differ on How to Support Schools, Agree on Importance of Education

Members of Missouri’s House of Representatives have ambitious plans to tackle tough education issues during their 2012 legislative session, which convened last Wednesday and runs through May. However, Republicans and Democrats in the House appear divided about the type of legislation needed. During his opening speech, Speaker of the House Steven Tilley (R-St. Genevieve), spoke … Continue reading →

Liberty Board of Education to Meet Monday Evening

The Liberty School District’s Board of Education is scheduled to meet Monday, Dec. 19, in a closed session at 6 p.m. and a regular session at 7 p.m. that is open to the public. According to the agenda, the board will be reviewing policy updates and will receive the official results of last month’s special election. One important … Continue reading →

MO State Board of Education Projects $714 Million Shortfall in School Funding by 2014

The clock is ticking, and time is running out on efforts to adequately fund education for public school students in the state of Missouri. Under discussion today at December’s State Board of Education meeting is the need to work with the governor and General Assembly to change the school funding formula before it’s too late. … Continue reading →

UPDATE 2:59 p.m. SB 1: Signed and On Its Way to the Governor

Today I am working on an article about the Turner School District. In the meantime, I’ve just received an update from the Missouri National Education Association legislative director regarding Senate Bill 1, a revision of the portion of the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act regulating teacher-student relationships online: Missouri NEA Special Legislative Update By Otto … Continue reading →

Still Waiting to Friend Your Students Again? Politics is Holding Up Signing of SB 1

This evening, I am working on an article about the new proposed accreditation rules for Missouri public schools. In the meantime, I received an update on the status of SB 1 (the section of the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act regulating student-teacher online interaction): Legislative Update by Otto Fajen, Missouri National Education Association Legislative Director … Continue reading →

Government Report on School Funding Formula in Missouri (Comic Book Version) — Part Three

If you haven’t yet read the first installment in this series, click here. If you haven’t yet read the second installment in this series, click here. If you would like to read Dr. Preis’ report for yourself, click here. If you would like to read the funding formula in Senate Bill 287 for yourself, click … Continue reading →