EVEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST ABIDE BY LAWS

The Missouri House voted Thursday to repeal a prohibition on promoting students who don't read on grade level. The new law requires more reading instruction. Which means, if the measure passes the Senate, Cape Girardeau and Jackson school districts will again be in full compliance with Missouri law.

The districts weren't holding otherwise able students back due to reading skills alone. If the students could be promoted in other areas, the district allowed them to advance a grade level but take summer instruction for reading.

Their reasoning was that students are so demoralized by failing a grade the blow to their self-esteem affects their school careers as a whole. Students who fall behind are far more likely to drop out than their on-grade-level peers.

This is an example of a school district doing what local educators feel is best for local students. However, state-funded agencies can't pick and choose among established laws. Instead -- as with this House bill -- they should work through Jefferson City to get bad laws changed.