Missouri’s most pressing public policy problem is what to do about school districts in urban areas that fail to make the grade. When the Missouri Legislature returns in January, resolving both the issue of what to do with unaccredited school districts, and how to make sure students in those districts have an opportunity to attend quality schools, should be the top priority.
Unfortunately, as is too common in Missouri, the two primary sides of the debate — the education establishment and reformers who want some form of school choice — are once again at odds.
Make no mistake: This fight is personal, particularly for education commissioner Chris Nicastro and suspended Ferguson-Florissant schools superintendent Art McCoy, who are battling for their jobs for daring to support elements of the reform movement.