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Missouri Senate OKs Subsidizing High School Equivalency Test

Students work in an AP Calculus class at Hickman high school in Columbia
Camille Phillips
/
KBIA
Students work in an AP Calculus class at Hickman high school in Columbia

Missouri would pay testing fees for residents taking a high school equivalency test for the first time under a proposal that has won initial approval in the state Senate.

Lawmakers endorsed the Republican-sponsored legislation Tuesday. It needs another vote before going to the House, which passed similar legislation last month.

The measure would cover students regardless of income or age. Bill sponsor Gary Romine said his mother was in her 40s when she took her equivalency test.

Each test costs $95. Legislative researchers estimate that subsidizing first-time exam takers would cost the state about $1.4 million a year.  

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