By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – A budget committee in the Missouri House changed its mind Monday and put money back into the state budget for standardized tests.
The House Appropriation Education Committee last week took $5 million away that goes to help schools administer the MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) tests.
Some lawmakers had said such a move might be an illegal unfunded mandate. In other words, the state Constitution bans the state from imposing requirements on local entities without providing funding. In this case, the state would be ordering school districts to test children.
There was also concern over losing federal money if schools decided against giving the tests because of the loss of money.
The money wasn't ever planned for total removal. Supporters had said moving the money into the state's school funding formula would help the poorest districts and let schools decide how best to spend their money.