Senate hearing held on Parson bill to give letter grades to schools

The Senate Education Committee held a hearing Wednesday on a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, which would require all schools to receive letter grades beginning in 2014. In the accompanying Missouri Chamber of Commerce video, Parson and a representative from the Chamber testify in favor of the bill. The grades will be based on standardized test scores, graduation rate, career and college readiness, and attendance, all of which are already graded by the state. This is how the bill breaks down the scoring system:

(1) From one hundred to ninety-seven percent shall be an A plus; ninety-six to ninety-three percent shall be an A; ninety-two to ninetypercent shall be an A minus;
(2) From eighty-nine to eighty-seven percent shall be a B plus; eighty-six to eighty-three percent shall be a B; eighty-two to eighty percent shall be a B minus;
(3) From seventy-nine to seventy-seven percent shall be a C plus; seventy-six to seventy-three percent shall be a C; seventy-two to seventy percent shall be a C minus;
(4) From sixty-nine to sixty-seven percent shall be a D plus; sixty-six to sixty-three percent shall be a D; sixty-two to sixty percent shall be a D minus; and
 (5) Below sixty percent shall be an F.