Senate committee votes out early childhood education bill

3/6 The Senate Education Committee has voted out out SB 133 (Keaveny), a bill that would allow school districts to receive state aid for children in prekindergarten programs who are eligible for free and reduced lunch. But the bill would take effect only when the school foundation formula is fully funded. Yesterday (Tuesday) at the Capitol a group called America's Edge released a report showing that for every $1 invested in early childhood education in Missouri, $1.87 is generated in increased spending in the state. Also today the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee meets and will hear HB 458 (Scharnhorst), a bill that would authorize a tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations for special needs students and HB 470 (Barnes), a bill that would allow a student to enroll in a school district other than the student's home district for the purpose of attending virtual courses.