State Sen. Chappelle-Nadal Appointed to School Accreditation Committee

State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal, a Democrat from University City, has been named to serve on the Joint Interim Committee on School Accreditation.

The committee is made up of House and Senate members with educational expertise. Chappelle-Nadal serves on the University City School Board.

The Joint Committee will analyze and review proposed new standards regarding how Missouri accredits its public schools. 

“The new standards being proposed by the State Board of Education place more emphasis on math and science, which will better prepare students for vocational school, college or work," said Chappelle-Nadal, in a press release.

She added that it's "critically important" that Missouri revises and improves the criteria for accrediting its public schools. She said the role of the Joint Committee is to make sure the proposed changes are "moving in the right direction."

"We need to raise the bar so our students can successfully compete in the global marketplace, but we have to make sure the new standards are realistic and attainable."

The Joint Committee also will examine the potential impact of court decisions relating to school accreditation on local school districts, said Chapelle-Nadal.

Last year the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that students in unaccredited school districts have the right to transfer to an accredited school at the cost of the unaccredited district.