The Missouri Senate is sending back to the House a measure that supporters say will address problems with the state's flawed student transfer law.
The Senate approved the measure 26-3 Wednesday. It now returns to the House and differences between the two versions must be worked out.
Missouri law requires failing school districts to pay tuition for students to attend nearby schools in better-performing districts. That's resulted in a financial hardship for some districts that struggle to pay that tuition. This year's proposal would first have students move to better-performing schools within the district, with the goal of keeping them in their home districts.
An earlier proposal stalled because of a $200 million price tag. Legislative researchers estimate the new version would cost about $23 million.