AFC Applauds the Passage of the Course Access Program by Large, Bipartisan Majority in Missouri House

Yesterday, the Missouri House passed a bill that will expand the opportunity for high school students to enroll in classes at another school or virtually. The bill received wide bipartisan support with a vote margin of 124-31.
Previously, the program was limited to virtual learning programs for students who were hospitalized or homebound due to medical challenges. This new legislation allows high schoolers to enroll in two classes—virtually or in person—at another school or education provider. The State of Missouri will approve of the courses and Governor Eric Greitens pledged in his State of the State address to expand and fully fund the program.
“The American Federation for Children continues to be impressed with the momentum in Missouri to expand educational opportunities for children,” said Kevin P. Chavous, board member of the American Federation for Children. “Course Access programs continue to be a useful tool for students who are eager to access high quality instruction. We are proud of the Governor and legislature for fostering an education environment that better fits the needs of high school students in Missouri.”
Gov. Greitens during his January State of the State address said:
“What we need to do is make sure that the money we spend finds its way into the classroom. Over half of Missouri school districts do not offer a single Advanced Placement class. Over 200 of our 520 school districts did not have a single student in physics. Over 100 did not have a single student enrolled in chemistry. We need to expand course access programs, so that every child in Missouri can use technology to get the education they need.”
The current legislation now heads to the Missouri Senate for a vote before heading to the Governor’s desk for his signature.