JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The president of the Kansas City school board says local control is necessary to improve student achievement in the troubled school district.
The Missouri House Education Committee considered legislation Wednesday that would allow state education officials to intervene sooner in failing school districts.
Currently, school districts that lose state accreditation are given two years to improve before state officials step in. The proposed legislation would remove the waiting period.
The Kansas City School District became unaccredited this year. Two other Missouri school districts also are not accredited.
Board President Airick Leonard West says local control is a key to improving schools in Kansas City. He says policies that reduce the community's obligations hurt schools and students.
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State intervention is SB677
Online:
Legislature: http://www.mo.gov
State Board of Education: http://dese.mo.gov/stateboard/