Children's Education Council of Missouri - CECM » St. Louis Public Schools http://www.cec-mo.org Missouri Education Reform Nonprofit: Schools Choice Legislation. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:45:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Cunningham files comprehensive plan for failing school districts http://www.cec-mo.org/featured/cunningham-files-comprehensive http://www.cec-mo.org/featured/cunningham-files-comprehensive#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:35:51 +0000 lclancy http://www.cec-mo.org/?p=3256 If passed by the legislature, Senate Bill 706, filed Thursday, January 26 by Sen. Jane Cunningham (R-St. Louis County), would dramatically change urban education statewide. This bill has been offered in exchange for enforcement of the Revised Missouri Statute 167.131 which states that children who live in unaccredited school districts have the right to transfer to a school district in the same or adjoining county at no expense to the family.  This is the same statute that prompted the now infamous Turner vs. The Clayton School District.

One of the most significant changes offered by the proposed legislation is the establishment of a “Passport Scholarship Program” which would provide grant scholarships to students in unaccredited districts, allowing them to attend a qualified public or private school. Contributors to the fund would receive a .60 cent tax credit for each donated dollar. A clearinghouse would also be established to assist Passport Scholarship Program recipients in transferring out of failed districts into an accredited district, charter, virtual, or private school.

Additional components of the bill include unique provisions for each of the state’s largest cities, Kansas City and St. Louis, both of which contain unaccredited school districts. In Kansas City, the Kansas City School District would be dissolved and adjoining school districts would be required to annex and operate the city’s schools. In St. Louis, districts in surrounding St. Louis County would be able to operate charter schools within the St. Louis Public School District, as city students would also simultaneously be allowed to transfer to county schools if space permits.  A hearing on this bill is scheduled for Tuesday, January 31 at 3pm.

CECM enthusiastically supports this legislation.

]]> http://www.cec-mo.org/featured/cunningham-files-comprehensive/feed 0 Dr. Adams Unveils “Creating Great Options” Plan for SLPS http://www.cec-mo.org/traditional-district/dr-adams-unveils-creating-great http://www.cec-mo.org/traditional-district/dr-adams-unveils-creating-great#comments Mon, 02 May 2011 22:39:16 +0000 Kelly_ONeil http://www.cec-mo.org/?p=3054 St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams recently presented his budget proposal for the district to the Special Administrative Board (SAB).  The proposal, titled “Creating Great Options” would reduce 171 district positions, close three schools and reopen one district school, Sumner High, as a district run charter school.

The budget proposed will also give the district $3 million in surplus.  Dr. Adams stated that SLPS has cut $60 million in spending over the past two years as a result of enrollment declines.

Public comment on the plan is open on the district’s website.  A community forum will also be held at Vashon High School on Monday, May 9.

]]> http://www.cec-mo.org/traditional-district/dr-adams-unveils-creating-great/feed 0 KMOV in St. Louis Doing Great Series on Education http://www.cec-mo.org/traditional-district/kmov-st-louis-great-series-education http://www.cec-mo.org/traditional-district/kmov-st-louis-great-series-education#comments Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:50:31 +0000 mkubot http://www.cec-mo.org/?p=1136 St. Louis television station KMOV is doing a great feature series this week on public education in the St. Louis area.  The stories feature some outrageous findings that should cause concern for all citizens in Missouri.  While these features focus on the St. Louis area, these same incidents happen all across the state.  It’s good to see these issues exposed on such a large platform.  The features are available to view below.

Friday, 9/17/2010

Thursday, 9/16/2010

Wednesday, 9/15/2010

Tuesday, 9/14/2010

Monday, 9/13/2010

]]> http://www.cec-mo.org/traditional-district/kmov-st-louis-great-series-education/feed 0 CECM Participates in US Civil Rights Commission Panel on SLPS http://www.cec-mo.org/policy/cecm-participates-civil-rights http://www.cec-mo.org/policy/cecm-participates-civil-rights#comments Tue, 25 May 2010 16:07:59 +0000 mkubot http://www.cec-mo.org/?p=1020 On Saturday, May 22 the Children’s Education Council of Missouri participated in a panel discussion with the Missouri Advisory Committee to the US Civil Rights Commission on the St. Louis Public School district (SLPS).  The panel discussed the current state of the SLPS and asked the panel for recommendations on how to improve the district and return the district to “accredited” status.  Participants included:

Dr. Kelvin Adams, Superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools

Dr. Chris Nicastro, Missouri Education Commissioner

Dr. William H. Danforth, Chancellor Emeritus, Washington University

Allen S. Boston, General Counsel Special Administrative Board

Dr. Craig Larson, Chairperson Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation

Byron Clemmons, Vice- President Local 420 Teacher’s Union, SLPS

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