Education reform advocates rejoiced after the passage of SB 291, which incorporated some of the best ideas in education reform that will offer real opportunities and needed change for Missouri children.

The Open Enrollment study to be completed by the Joint Committee on Education (rather than the Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education as originally proposed) is one of the great solutions that will give legislators data they need to put together an open enrollment proposal that fits Missouri.

Sen. Jeff Smith’s merit pay bill is another great addition. Teachers in St. Louis City public schools would be able to opt-in to a merit pay system in lieu of the traditional tenure track. Aside from simply offering pay commensurate with effective teaching, this will hopefully draw young, energetic, quality teachers into the SLPS when they know they’ll be compensated for teaching in a way that works.

This proposal is now on Gov. Nixon’s desk, and DFER encourages him to sign into law these strong, common-sense proposals that have great potential to improve the education and lives of children in Missouri.