HB 1522 -- HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS

SPONSOR:  Sander

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Elementary and Secondary Education by a vote of 14 to 0.

Currently, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
is prohibited from developing any policy that would place
additional information such as attendance or class rank on a
student's high school diploma.  This bill repeals that
prohibition.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the repeal of this provision
clears the way for the State Board of Education to implement a
differentiated diploma showing more information than a current
diploma.  This is based on the recommendation of the state
board's high school task force.  The bill doesn't create the
diploma, but it does remove an obstacle.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Sander; and
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say the effect of a
differentiated diploma on tracking needs to be considered.
Districts will need flexibility in implementing the
differentiated diploma.

Others testifying on the bill was Missouri National Education
Association.

Becky DeNeve, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:43 am