HB 490 -- A+ SCHOOLS PROGRAM

SPONSOR:  Schad

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Elementary and Secondary Education by a vote of 14 to 0.

Currently, two-year private vocational schools that provide
services for A+ students must be accredited by the Higher
Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association
of Colleges and Schools, must be designated as nonprofit
organizations, and are prohibited from receiving reimbursements
in excess of the rate charged by a public community college.
This bill clarifies that these requirements are applicable to
private schools only and not to public vocational or technical
schools.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2010, FY 2011, and
FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that an error last year disqualified
public vocational schools by requiring them to have 501(c)(3)
nonprofit tax status, which is a requirement for Rankin Tech, the
only private vocational school that can accept A+ students.  The
bill clarifies that public vocational schools may accept A+
students without having a nonprofit status.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Schad; Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education; and Missouri National
Education Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say community colleges
have no objection to the bill.

Testifying on the bill was Missouri Community College
Association.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:24 am