State education officials are pleased that Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signed into law today Senate Bill 125, which gives the State Board of Education more flexibility to take action when a school district becomes unaccredited.

The new law eliminates the required two-year waiting period before the Board can intervene in the governance of an unaccredited school district. Removing the waiting period allows the Board to act in a timely manner.

"This legislation will give state education officials the flexibility they need to help struggling schools provide the quality education all students deserve," said Board President Peter Herschend.

The new law will allow the State Board to take more immediate action if necessary when a school district loses its accreditation. It also will give a district additional time if it is making progress toward regaining accreditation and implementing programs that are positively impacting students’ learning.

"The Department is grateful to the Missouri General Assembly for passing Senate Bill 125 and to Gov. Nixon for signing this legislation into law," said Commissioner of Education Chris L. Nicastro. "Early intervention is key to supporting unaccredited school districts and the students they serve."

Senate Bill 125 will take effect August 28.

The Department will continue to work with the communities that are impacted by an unaccredited school classification to develop an appropriate plan to benefit the students in chronically low-performing school districts.