HCS HB 818 -- REMEDIATION OF STUDENT ACADEMIC DEFICIENCIES (Days)

School districts may adopt student promotion policies that
require remediation as a condition for promotion.  Such policies
must recognize that different learners require different
methods; provisions concerning remediation of special education
students are included.  Remediation may occur outside the
regular school day; in that case, the additional hours count
towards a district's hours of instruction for average daily
attendance.  Students who score at the lowest level of
proficiency on the statewide assessments may, at the district's
discretion, be required to retake the test; progress towards
proficiency will be reported in the district's annual report
card.  In the 2001-2002 school year, this information will be
used in identifying academically deficient schools.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to State School Moneys Fund of Unknown in FY
2000, FY 2001, and FY 2002.  Cost is expected to exceed $100,000
annually.

HCS HB 818 -- REMEDIATION OF STUDENT ACADEMIC DEFICIENCIES

SPONSOR:  Fitzwater (Days)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Education-Elementary and Secondary by a vote of 19 to 2.

School districts may adopt student promotion policies that
require remediation as a condition for promotion.  Such policies
must recognize that different learners require different
methods; provisions concerning remediation of special education
students are included.  Remediation may occur outside the
regular school day; in that case, the additional hours count
towards a district's hours of instruction for average daily
attendance.  Students who score at the lowest level of
proficiency on the statewide assessments are required to retake
the test; progress towards proficiency will be reported in the
district's annual report card.  In the 2001-2002 school year,
this information will be used in identifying academically
deficient schools.

The substitute also creates a 4-year competitive grant program
on the district or building level to support improved reading
instruction in the early grades beginning in school year 2000.
Grantees would select a reading assessment or improvement
program and specify goals for improvement.  Funding for the
third and fourth years of the grant is contingent on progress.
If a significant level of improvement is achieved, the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may reimburse
the district's match.  Reading improvement instruction provided
outside regular school hours can be counted for additional hours
of average daily attendance for state school aid.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to General Revenue Fund of $223,715 to
Unknown in FY 2000, $247,014 to Unknown in FY 2001, and $248,264
to Unknown in FY 2002.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that neither retention nor social
promotion really benefit a child in the long run.  Employers are
disappointed to find high school graduates who are inadequately
prepared.  This bill gives school districts some additional
tools to use to help a child progress and catch up.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Days; Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education; Missouri School Board
Association; Missouri Association of Elementary and Secondary
Principals; Missouri Council of School Administrators; Missouri
NEA; and Associated Industries of Missouri.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Becky DeNeve, Legislative Analyst

HB 818 -- Student Academic Deficiencies

Co-Sponsors:  Fitzwater, Days

School districts may adopt student promotion policies that
require remediation as a condition for promotion.  Remediation
may occur outside the regular school day; in this case, the
additional hours count towards a district's hours of instruction
for average daily attendance.  Students who score at the lowest
level of proficiency on the statewide assessments are required
to retake the test the following year; progress towards
proficiency will be reported in the district's annual report
card.  In the 2001-2002 school year, this information will be
used in identifying academically deficient schools.