Missouri sets up guidelines for students who may seek transfers from unaccredited districts

School districts in Missouri have received directives from the state that provide leeway in how to handle a potential influx of students transferring this summer from unaccredited school systems. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the guidelines alleviate concerns that districts in the St. Louis region would have to hurriedly find more teachers and classroom space if hundreds, if not thousands, of students from two failing districts--Normandy and Riverview Gardens--show up at higher performing schools. On the other side of the state, the Kansas City district also is unaccredited.

The state guidelines say districts have the authority to determine building assignments if crowding becomes a problem in a school. If more students want to transfer into a particular school than space is available, districts must students an equal chance at the available slots, potentially opening the door to lotteries.