by Mary Lindsley
senior editor

Public university professors and teaching assistants may have to take English proficiency exams if a bill introduced in the Missouri Senate last month passes.

Senate bill 875, which was introduced on Jan. 20 by state Senator Peter Kinder (R-27), requires public universities to "evaluate each member of its instructional faculty for oral, aural and written fluency in the English language in the classroom." All of a university's faculty members and graduate teaching assistants would be required to take the exam, with the exception of visiting faculty and faculty members who teach foreign language and individual instruction courses.

Under the bill, universities would also be required to provide written proof to the Coordinating Board of Higher Education that all eligible faculty members have been evaluated for English fluency. The bill also includes a provision allowing universities to be fined $10,000 for each course or program taught in violation of the bill.

Kinder said he began receiving complaints from students four years ago and had planned to introduce a similar measure at that time, but declined to pursue a bill after receiving reassurances from university officials that the problem would be addressed. Kinder said a new wave of student complaints spurred him to resurrect the bill.

"This year, students came to me and said it's worse than ever," Kinder said.

Kinder said he was uncertain what the exact costs to public universities would be to implement the measure, but any costs would be justified because "Missouri taxpayers and students who are paying dearly for education must have confidence in it."

Kinder also said a specific exam for universities to administer has not been created yet, but it would be approved by the CBHE.

Public hearings are scheduled to take place this Wednesday, Feb. 16, in Jefferson City.