unaccredited schools

Normandy School District loses accreditation

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:31:05 +0000

The Missouri Board of Education has voted unanimously to strip the accreditation from another St. Louis-area school district.

Normandy schools had been under provisional accreditation for the past year, but had been “on thin ice,” in the words of State Board Member Peter Herschend (R, Branson). He says the district has again failed to meet the minimum nine out of 14 performance standards required for accreditation.

“If you look at the academic results in all of the core content areas, save one, they are at the bottom end of attainment," Herschend said. "Do I think that’s significant? You’re damn right I think that’s significant!”

Mo. Senate passes education overhaul legislation

The Associated Press — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:40:02 +0000

The Missouri Senate has passed bills that would allow for more charter schools in the state and would also allow the state to take over failing school districts more quickly.

In a 31-2 vote Wednesday, the Senate gave final backing to a measure that would allow charter schools to be set up in districts that have been declared unaccredited.

Kansas City and St. Louis are the only districts allowed to have charter schools under current Missouri law.

Missouri Supreme Court considers school transfer case

The Associated Press — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:56:18 +0000

The Missouri Supreme Court is deciding whether the Webster Groves school district must enroll a student from the city of St. Louis.

The court heard arguments Wednesday on a case related to Missouri law that allows students from unaccredited districts to transfer to accredited districts. State lawmakers are also considering how to implement or revise the law. Three school systems in St. Louis and Kansas City are unaccredited.

Bill to stem flood of K-12 transfers heard by Mo. Sen. committee

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:39:59 +0000

Legislation that’s designed to stop a potential mass exodus of students from unaccredited schools in St. Louis and Kansas City to nearby suburban schools was heard Tuesday before a Missouri Senate committee.

The bill’s provisions include scholarships for kids in unaccredited public schools to attend private schools, and it would allow accredited schools to open charter schools in unaccredited districts. Tina Hardin of St. Louis spoke in favor of the bill. Her son was accepted into a Catholic school, but says she can’t afford to send him there.

Mo. lawmakers to consider potential school transfer flood with legislation

The Associated Press and St. Louis Public Radio — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:18:00 +0000

Missouri lawmakers will again push legislation aimed at preventing an exodus of Kansas City and St. Louis students from their failing schools and overwhelming neighboring districts.

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled last year that students living in unaccredited districts are owed free transfers and that accredited schools must take the students. The courts continue to work out the details.