Bill proposes career courses substitute academic courses for high school graduation
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Bill proposes career courses substitute academic courses for high school graduation

Date: February 12, 2014
By: Christina Turner
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Missouri representatives are debating the importance of keeping high school students on track to college.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Future Farmers of America flooded the state Capitol to support an education bill.

Republican Representative David Wood is sponsoring a bill that would let agriculture, career or technical courses meet high school graduation requirements.

Actuality:  DWOOD1.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "They'll take classes that use some of the same concepts. You can substitute for the science class animal husbandry, or plant and greenhouse with the ag groups."

FFA Eldon students told me their professional classes better prepare them for future careers.

But St. Louis Democratic Representative Genise Montecillo said, as vocational fields further specialize, high-level academic reading and math skills are required.

From Jefferson City, I'm Christina Turner for NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
Missouri representatives are debating the merits of channeling all high school students down the path to college.
RunTime:  0:43
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Willard Haley directs the Eldon Career Center.

Haley supports Republican Representative David Wood's bill to let agriculture, career or technical courses meet high school graduation requirements.

He says academic requirements often prevent students from taking professional classes.

Actuality:  WHALEY.WAV
Run Time:  00:12
Description: "We have students that want to go into construction that can't take building trades. We have students that want to become nurses or go into health fields that cannot take health occupations. This is actually doing the students an injustice."

Democratic Representative Genise Montecillo works for Special School District in St. Louis County.

She says students can't complete technical programs without high-level reading and math skills.

From Jefferson City, I'm Christina Turner for NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.