By Emily Donaldson
(MDN News) -- Missouri's top education official called a bill regarding preschool education one the most significant pieces of legislation she has ever seen Wednesday, Feb. 27, at a Senate Education Committee hearing.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Joe Keaveny, D-St. Louis, gives state aid to pre-kindergarten programs in Missouri schools. This would allow children aged 3 to 5 to have access to public education prior to kindergarten.
"We believe that this may be the most important legislation before this body this year, or any other year," said Chris Nicastro, commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The legislation is split into two bills, each with the same wording, but one applies to children receiving free and reduced lunch and the other applies to all children. While Keaveny said he hopes that the law will eventually apply to all children, he thinks his bill will have a better chance when divided by socioeconomic status.
The committee did not vote on either of Keaveny's bills, but passed two other bills that now head to the Senate floor. One bill would create a council to oversee Missouri gifted education and the other would allow teachers in the St. Louis School District to be fired despite tenured status.
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