Monday, June 12, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Bills Enhancing Education; Benefiting Children
JEFFERSON CITY –Gov. Matt Blunt today signed bills strengthening Missouri's laws protecting children and expanding education opportunities for Missouri students.
“I applaud members of the General Assembly who worked to improve education in our state and to better prepare our students for the challenges ahead,” Blunt said. “Expanded learning opportunities, preschool standards, collaborative efforts among leaders through the new P-20 council and additional tools for parents will benefit our children for years to come.”
House Bill 1182, sponsored by Rep. Bryan Stevenson, enhances parents’ ability to protect children by allowing them to petition the court to extend the youth’s minor status until age 18. The bill gives families more leverage to deal with troubled teens and will allow parents to keep their children in school to earn a high school diploma or equivalent. It also allows continued access to youth services offered by the state. The minor status could apply to all aspects of the law, except criminal.
Senate Bill 912, sponsored by Sen. Jack Goodman, establishes a virtual school and expands choice for students and parents to enhance and design learning opportunities specific to each child's needs. The virtual school boasts the support of several education advocacy groups and will introduce an online alternative to traditional classroom learning.
House Bill 1511, sponsored by Rep. Brad Lager, calls for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop standards for high-quality early-childhood education. The standards will apply to all public preschool programs that receive state funds or federal Title 1 funds. The standards will help close the achievement gap and will help ensure Missouri children are offered consistent and comprehensive preschool opportunities.
Senate Bill 580, sponsored by Sen. Charlie Shields, outlines a collaborative plan to ensure the state's education and economic policy makers are working together to help our students succeed. The bill establishes a pre through graduate school (P-20) council to reduce the gaps between primary, secondary, college, graduate school and the workforce, calling for regular coordination among the Commissioner of Higher Education, the chair of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the Commissioner of Education, the president of the State Board of Education, and the director of the Department of Economic Development. Blunt challenged the group to first address math, engineering, technology and science (METS) education in Missouri to best prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow's global economy.
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