Wrap: Andrew Hesse is a firefighter in the city of St. Louis, which means he is required to live within city limits.

As a result he is paying private schools for his three children since he says he doesn't want to send them to unaccredited schools.

Hesse says he's tried getting his kids into accredited county schools, but was turned away by schools that say they are at capacity.

He asks lawmakers to find an alternative for his children that doesn't require him to pay private schools.

The Committee on School Accredidation heard suggestions from organizations that proposed alternatives including charter schools.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Mariel Seidman-Gati.

Wrap: One option is placing these students in charter schools.

Earl Simms of the Missouri Charter Public School Association says placing students in charter schools would give them access to quality education close to home.

His organization proposes creating more charter schools in St. Louis and Kansas City.

Simms says one way of doing this would be to allow charter schools to use vacant school district builings.

Simms also suggests expanding charter schools to districts that currently prohibit them.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Mariel Seidman-Gati.