Lawmakers take another shot at fixing unaccredited schools problem
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Lawmakers take another shot at fixing unaccredited schools problem

Date: May 5, 2015
By: Steven Anthony
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 42, the House roll call, the Senate roll call

Intro: 
The Missouri House passed a bill aiming to fix the state's unaccredited schools problem.
RunTime:  0:35
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The bill calls for an expansion of a virtual school option for kids who have been in an unaccredited school for at least one semester.

The bill also calls for expansion of charter schools, something that did not sit well with St. Louis County Democrat Bob Burns.

Actuality:  BURNS42.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "Charter schools and virtual education are the downfall of public education and these districts could be fixed without spending a penny, much less $19,000 a student."

The bill passed by an 84-73 vote, well short of the number needed to potentially overcome a gubernatorial veto.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony.

Intro: 
A St. Louis County Democrat spoke in favor of a school transfers bill, saying failure to act would mean future students would be further disadvantaged
RunTime:  0:28
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Representative Courtney Allen Curtis, who represents part of Ferguson, said the bill needs to become law so students get a quality education.

Actuality:  CACHB42.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "If we don't pass this bill, then we're only dooming more generations of students to a future of potential failure, a potential of unreached potential."

The bill passed by an 84-73 margin even though more than 30 Republicans voted against the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony.

Intro: 
A bill expanding charter and virtual schools barely received approval from the Missouri House.
RunTime:  0:36
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: House Majority Leader commended bill sponsor Representative David Wood for him sponsoring the transfers bill, but said the legislature has "swung and missed" many times when trying to tackle the school transfers problem and he wants to see that stop.

Actuality:  RICHHB42.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "I want to see us address this transfer problem. I want to see us have some options for kids in these abjectly failing districts. And if I'd gotten to write this bill in a vacuum, I probably would've written it differently and the gentleman from Morgan would've as well."

The bill passed by an 84-73 vote despite more than 30 Republicans voting against the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony.