Senator Jamilah Nasheed’s Rebuttal to NAACP Remarks Against Vital Education Bill

JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, today (5-14) released this statement regarding the recent remarks made by the NAACP pertaining to Senate Bill 493, legislation that addresses Missouri’s school accreditation process and transfer of students out of unaccredited school districts.

“It is extremely unfortunate that the nation’s oldest black organization has come out against an education bill that tries to solve the problems of inadequate education opportunities for our state’s African-American students.

Across-the-board agreement on any issue within the General Assembly is rare.  Compromise and negotiation are how bills are passed; it’s how the Legislature works.  I was not willing to strong arm certain issues and gamble on the backs of our students’ futures.

Senate Bill 493 benefits ALL students across our state by stopping social promotion in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas; providing free tutoring and supplemental education services for students in unaccredited districts; giving parents enhanced notifications regarding struggling schools; providing intensive reading instruction and personalized reading plans for students struggling in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas; and allowing extended school days and hours for school districts on the verge of losing their accreditation.

Instead of attacking the work of legislators on this substantially difficult education issue, I urge the NAACP to offer a solution to the issues it raises on Senate Bill 493.  With just two days left in the legislative session, I’m disappointed in this latest attack by an organization — one built on a history of fighting for social justice for ALL Americans — that planned to give former NBA Clippers’ owner, Donald Sterling, a lifetime achievement award.”