Historical November–December 2012 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Senate Bill 636, which I sponsored in the 2012 legislative session, was enacted into law on August 28.
The legislation improves Missouri’s judicial process by revising trust law, making the St. Louis circuit Clerk position an appointed position, rather than elective, allowing video conferencing for parole hearings, establishing a joint committee on child abuse and neglect, and revising the law regarding lawsuits against corporations.
Also taking effect, Senate Bill 576, which will hold charter schools to the highest academic standards and at-risk students will have the chance to earn a high school diploma.
On the subject of education, the Missouri Department of Education announced that about 700 students from 25 public schools in Missouri were among more than 50,000 students participating in the country’s first national computer-based writing test.
The writing assessment was conducted in grades 8 and 12 at selected schools across the country.
The students’ writing was evaluated on the basis of three criteria: development of ideas, organization of ideas, and use of language. State-level results have not yet been announced, but on a national level, 24% of students scored at a “proficient level.” Ensuring that children receive a quality education in our state is crucial for their well-being, as well as for the future of our state.
I will continue to advocate for the expansion and funding of early childhood education programs to make certain students are prepared to learn and have a successful academic career.
To listen to an interview I gave regarding education in Missouri and the Joint Committee on Education, click here or visit my Multimedia page at www.senate. mo.gov/media/12info/keaveny/ Multimedia.html.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2012.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2012_11.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
