JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Gov. Jay Nixon signed legislation to require high school students to pass a civics test and learn CPR. The legislation signed Wednesday requires high schoolers who start ninth grade after July 2017 to pass an exam similar to the U.S. citizenship test.
The measure also creates a pilot program for rating preschools based on quality. Nixon's office says Missouri previously was the only state to ban such a rating system.
Other provisions include mandated dyslexia screening in public schools beginning in fall 2018 and a requirement that public schools give students a chance every day to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Schools now must make time for the pledge once a week.
It also makes private schools eligible to participate in the A+ Scholarship program for community colleges.
(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
