As more and more Missouri schools struggle to reach the mandated
expectations of No Child Left Behind, some parents are becoming
disillusioned with their local public school. However it is
difficult to afford private school tuition and often for working
parents, home schooling is not an option. A few urban public
school districts in Missouri have found a possible compromise
with the introduction of Charter or Magnet schools. According to
the Missouri Charter Public School Association, current access
to the charter public school model is limited by law to the
Kansas City and St. Louis city school districts. However current
legislation (SB576) has been introduced that would expand the
Charter school locations throughout the state, as well as
increase the accountability. Each of these Charter schools must
have a sponsoring entity which is often a college or university.
A School Board is established and educational outcomes are
outlined. In addition, the school must also be held accountable
to Missouri Department