Kathy Swan receives freshman legislator award

State Rep. Kathy Swan was recognized last week for her work on education issues during the recently concluded legislative session.

The Cape Girardeau Republican received the Freshman Legislator of the Year Award from Tim Jones, Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, who commended Swan for her leadership and quality of work. She served on the House committees for elementary and secondary education, higher education and education appropriations.

Swan sponsored and co-sponsored a number of education bills, including an early childhood bill that would provide state funding through the Missouri Foundation Formula to unaccredited school districts offering prekindergarten classes. The measure, designed to better prepare students for higher education and the work force, received bipartisan support.

The local representative plans to continue promoting education issues in the 2015 legislative session as well. Among the bills Swan said she hopes to see pass next year is one that would promote online learning. It would establish an advisory board to study digital learning and oversee a portal that would provide online access to the GED test, dual-credit classes and other educational or training opportunities.