HCS HB 1305 -- EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN HIGH SCHOOL COURSES AND
TESTS

SPONSOR:  Muschany (Day)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Special
Committee on Student Achievement by a vote of 8 to 0.

This substitute allows school districts to exempt any high school
student who transfers into the state from the statutory
requirement for the state and federal government course and the
exam on the Missouri Constitution upon acceptable documentation
that the student has successfully completed the requirements in
another state.  Obsolete provisions are deleted regarding text
selection and willful neglect of the statute being a cause for
termination.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2009, FY 2010, and
FY 2011.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that many states require high school
students to pass a state constitution exam or take a state
government course prior to graduation.  There are many
circumstances where students of military families have met the
requirements in another state before moving to Missouri and then
must also meet our state requirements in order to graduate.  The
bill will ease the transition of the student into the school
system and remove a burden on both the student and his or her
family.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Day; Missouri State
Teachers Association; Missouri School Boards' Association; Penney
Rector, School Administrators Coalition; and Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:10 pm