St. Louis Public Schools address challenges in provisional accreditation fight

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Intro:	A state education spokeswoman says St. Louis Public Schools are eligible for provisional accreditation, but it might not be enough.
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Wrap: The district lost its accreditation in 2007 and a state-appointed board has been in charge ever since.

The school district has met the necessary academic standards to qualify for provisional accreditation.

The chief state education spokeswoman Sarah Potter says accreditation could still be disapproved.

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Description: "The department and the board said that one year is not enough to change classification. The Missouri School Improvement Program moves on cycles and they've been five-year cycles and we have been looking at five years of data."

The state board will hear the district's case for approval on Tuesday, October 16.

From the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin.

Intro:	The St. Louis Public Schools are asking to be provisionally accredited, but an elected school board member says a transition process will cause problems.
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Wrap: When the district lost accreditation in 2007, a state-mandated board took power, leaving the elected school board powerless.

The district is currently up for review for provisional accreditation. Elected school board member Bill Haas is worried about transitioning to provisional accreditation.

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Description: "If there are standards for when the district-- control of the district is taken away there should be standards for when it's given back. And there aren't, it would appear."

Democratic St. Louis City Representative Jamilah Nasheed says the lack of a transition process will be her priority when lawmakers go back into legislative session. Nasheed will move from the House to the Senate next session.

The district will argue its case for provisional accreditation on Tuesday, October 16.

From the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin.

Intro:	A state education spokeswoman says the St. Louis Public School district may not gain provisional accreditation despite exceeding the qualifications.
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Wrap: The district lost its accreditation in 2007.

The school district just this year met the necessary academic standards to qualify for provisional accreditation.

The chief state education spokeswoman is Sarah Potter. She says the state board may not reinstate accreditation on the grounds the improvements could be temporary.

Democratic St. Louis City Representative Jamilah Nasheed disagrees.

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Description: "I don't know why if they have met the requirement to be provisionally accredited why wouldn't they be provisionally accredited? If they have seven and they only need six what's the problem?"

The district will argue its case on Tuesday, October 16.

From the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin.