Education Front and Center at Capitol

Two contentious K-12 education topics will be front and center Today (Tuesday) at the state Capitol in Jefferson City. The Missouri Senate Education Committee will consider Manchester Republican Andrew Koenig’s (KAY-Nigg) proposal that would let parents use tax credits to pay for things like private school tuition, tutoring, and school supplies. Supporters refer to this type of legislation as educational savings accounts, and opponents call it school vouchers.

Brent Ghan (rhymes with tan) with the Missouri School Boards’ Association says Koenig’s proposal is a convoluted scheme to redirect taxpayer money to private schools that are not held accountable the same way as traditional public schools. Tuesday’s hearing will also include legislation from Weldon Spring Republican Bill Eigel (EYE-gull) that would expand charter schools to Missouri cities with a population greater than 30,000.