An effort to repeal teacher tenure in Missouri has come up short.  but the senate has advanced a bill that will double the years it takes for a teacher to be eligible for tenure. 

Senator Jane Cunningham, who says the tenure system make sit too hard to get rid of ineffective teachers, had wanted to eliminate tenure but has settled for a version of her bill that another senator calls “watered down.”   The version advanced by the senate today says teachers can become tenured after ten years in the same school district.  Present law awards tenure after five years. 

Cunningham expressed disappointment that the Senate had not passed her outright tenure repeal, noting the issue is a priority of the Republican party.

Cunningham had run into strong opposition with two earlier versions of her bill .  This one needs a final senate vote before it can go to the House.

AUDIO: Senate debate 1:06:00