By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City – Governor Holden signed a stack of bills today, including one changing the way Missouri students are graded on standardized tests.
Another new law should help teachers caught in tough budget decisions.
The state test has required students generally to perform above their grade level to be considered proficient.
The bill realigns the Missouri Assessment Program test's grading scale with standards of the National Assessment for Educational Progress.
The school budget measure is aimed at providing teachers with severance pay if they're laid off around the start of the school year.
In general it requires teachers to be paid the greater of $3,000 or the days worked, when they are let go more than 40 days after the governor signs the state education budget.