Missouri senators have given initial approval to a less expensive proposal to fix issues with the state's flawed student transfer law.
The Senate in a voice vote adopted a new plan Monday. Legislative researchers now will estimate the proposal's price tag before it's up for a second Senate vote.
Current Missouri law requires failing school districts to pay tuition for students to attend better-performing schools nearby. That's created financial hardship for some districts.
If this year's measure passes, students first would transfer to better-performing buildings in their districts. The goal is to keep tuition within students' home districts.
An earlier Senate proposal stalled because of a nearly $200 million price tag.
The measure adopted Monday would cost roughly $25 million, although amendments added that day could rack up the expenses.
